March 13, 2024 Wantagh

Meet This Year’s Grand Marshal: Wantagh Native And Founder Of The John Theissen Children’s Foundation

By Natalie Raccuglia

John Theissen, is the Founder and Executive Director of John Theissen

Children’s Foundation and President of JBT Consulting. John endured a personal battle with a brain tumor at the age of 17. He underwent treatment at a children’s hospital where he stayed for some time. There, he met a young girl that would ignite his passion for children in need.

Tasha was 7 years old, enduring her own battle with cancer at the time. During her stay, it was clear that she had no family support, having been left alone for weeks at a time. Despite her situation, she cared for John, visiting him in his room constantly– caring for him more than she did herself. John recalled a holiday party hosted for the children at the hospital, where he could not attend given the status of his health. Gifts were handed out to each child in attendance and when it was Tasha’s turn to receive, he remembered her response, “‘I don’t want it for me I want it for my friend upstairs to make him feel better.’ She threw it on top of me and woke me up. I left there a few days later and I said I’m going to be back to help more kids like that.” In 1992, John began a holiday drive from his parents’ front lawn which propelled his Foundation forward and grew from there on

out. The John Theissan Children’s Foundation is a yearround organization for underprivileged children. They recently opened their brand new, Family Fun Center, which includes an arcade room, movie room, arts and crafts room, candy station, and more. “Being able to buy this building and being part of this parade and being the grand marshal is such an honor. We do everything we can to help children who are sick and under privileged in any capacity possible,” said John. For any child battling cancer like Tasha, those who can’t afford birthdays or just children who are going through hardships, this building serves as a place where children can come and hang out for free.

The Foundation has won Best Charity on Long Island for ten consecutive years by the Long Island Press and Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s Best of Long Island contest. “You know, everyone thanks me but it’s really the community that supports the foundation and supports me and the efforts. It makes it all possible. The community has always had my back and in return I have their back always,” said John. The John Theissen Children’s Foundation has been going strong for 32 years in Wantagh, and according to John it will continue to serve local communities across Long Island.

It Happened In Wantagh Years Ago

Compiled By Carol Poulos, Co-Curator of the Wantagh Museum

1899 - 125 Years Ago

February - During the blizzard, burglars entered the butcher shop of Stephen Dean and helped themselves to several choice cuts of meat…Ex-Constable William W. Wilson, known for his many kind traits of charity, placed several barrels of coal in front of his home while the storm was raging at the disposal of the poor…The second blizzard of the season visited this village the forepart of the week. P. W. Behrens had a number of fine plants frozen, and about fifty panes of glass were broken out of the greenhouses.

William DeMott, employed at the pumping station, was snowed in and had to remain on duty for 48 hours without food. The public school will not be open until next week.

1914 - 110 Years Ago

January - The Nassau

Suffolk Lighting Company is having the lamp posts painted on Main Street. The people are anxiously awaiting for the lights to be turned on…Cox, Wendler and Van Tuyl have almost completed a new stable east of the lumberyard and also a wagon shed west of the stable...New Year’s Day was ushered in by the customary ringing of the church bell, the tooting of horns and firing of guns, but outside of these things, a quiet day was spent by most of our people...A new well has been put in on Seaford Avenue, west of the blacksmith shop and was tested by the firemen last week. This well is close to the lumberyard of Cox, Wendler and Van Tuyl.

1924 - 100 Years Ago

January - Walter Ashdown has been busy these last cold days thawing out frozen radiators, but then his time was not taken up towing the

town’s cars for the roads were frozen as well…The boys have reveled in this cold snap as it has given them a grand opportunity for skating on the pond, where they may be seen as soon as school is out.

1974 - 50 Years Ago

February - County Executive Ralph Caso pressed the button that officially opened the Sewer District 3 facility in Wantagh. At this time, the sewer pipes had already been laid in most of Wantagh and nearby communities. The county required that residents hook up within one year once the lateral lines were laid. Residents with decaying cesspool systems and flooding problems were eager to do this, whereas others preferred to wait due to the cost estimated to be between $400-$800.

1979 - 45 Years Ago

February - After a flock of wild turkeys that appeared in Wantagh had grown to more than 20 birds, the State conservation officials began trapping them with plans to relocate them to Shelter Island. The turkeys roosted in trees overnight and left droppings on cars and houses. Some residents had complained that they were biting and chasing children, dogs and cats and stopping traffic. It was not unusual to see them along Wantagh Avenue.

To learn more about the Wantagh Museum, scan the QR code or visit www. wantagh.li/museum

Boiler Room at Wantagh Pumping Station

Wantagh 4th St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Join us for the Block Party immediately following the Parade on Railroad Ave.

FAST

Sunday March 17, 2024 FACTS

PARADE LINE UP

Location - Wantagh High School Line up and float set up begins at 12N Parade will step off at 2PM.

NO PARKING

CARS MUST BE REMOVED BY Sunday 6AM on the following Streets and Municipal Lots:

Beltagh Ave, Wantagh Ave, Railroad Ave, Brooklyn Ave, Beech St (Sunrise to Park)

Municipal Lots on Brooklyn Ave, Railroad Ave, Park Ave.

STREET CLOSURES

Beltagh Ave 12N

Wantagh Ave -12N

Railroad Avenue- 12N

Beech St (Sunrise Hwy to Park Ave) - 12N

PLEASE NOTE:

Extra LIRR Trains will be added. Please enjoy the parade responsibly.

Only Authorized vendors with permits will be allowed to sell merchandise at the Block Party Vendors ARE NOT PERMITTED AT Line Up or on the Parade Route.

421105N031324

1954 Wantagh, New York

This was an exciting period for Americans filled with hope and the return to a more normal pre-WWII time after years of soldiers being overseas and women working at home on the war effort.

By 1954, WWII was in the rear-view mirror, the Cold War that began in 1947 and would continue until 1991 remained a looming threat and the Korean conflict had just ended in 1953.

For the first time in a long while America was not at war. The wedding boom of 1946 was fueled by a return to a more stable home life. Marriage, children and building a new future for their families was seen across the country. We all know, Levittown was at the epicenter of the post war suburban housing boom. Wantagh offered open space, proximity to work in New York City with the bonus of having the majestic ocean in your

Wantagh Kiwanis Celebrates Its

70th Anniversary Serving the Children of Wantagh for 70 Years

backyard.

The Kiwanis Club of Wantagh received its Charter on March 11, 1954 and is celebrating 70 years of service in the community. History offers us a bird’s eye view of what life might have been like during this time. Looking back to see what was happening in Wantagh and across the nation made me wonder what inspired residents to start a Kiwanis Club. The driving mission of Kiwanis goes back to its inception in 1915 during the early years of World War I, and is still true today. All Kiwanians are committed to improving the lives of children.

Wantagh was in a time of transition from the agricultural past that it had been for centuries, to the first step into modern day suburbia. Archibald Holly Patterson was the Nassau County Executive, Ellis Island closed as a point of immigration, President Eisenhower signed into

law the new social security bill and the hydrogen bomb was tested on Bikini Island in the Pacific. That same year the Supreme Court famously ruled that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, Roger Bannister broke the record to run a mile in under 4 minutes and a fond childhood memory of mine, the introduction of Swanson TV dinners.

Wantagh quickly became a bedroom community to NYC with the LIRR already in place since 1867. The elevated tracks that replaced the ground level train crossing was completed in October 1968, after 2 years of construction. The area was known for its vacationresort lifestyle a train ride out of the bustling city with Jones Beach as the main attraction then, as it still is today. The Wantagh Hotel stood alongside the tracks from the late 1800’s, but was owned by two local businessmen from 1930

until it was destroyed by fire at the end of 1970. The hotel featured German food and hosted many local events just like Mulcahy’s does today. The hotel site was eventually replaced by McDonalds.

As Wantagh, Levittown and other Southshore communities began to explode with the development of new homes for families, the need for schools grew quickly. The student population expanded from 860 students in 1949 to 1334 by 1950. Such rapid growth forced the district to go into split sessions for a few years. In 1952 the community purchased land on Beltagh Avenue and designated $3,000,000 to build the Senior High School. The first students began attending the school in the fall of 1954. Possibly the new high school offered opportunity for fast food and Burger King also

opened nearby the same year. High school students and fast food have been intertwined for generations and Wantagh was ready to offer something new.

During this time new homes sold for $10,250.00, the average annual income was $4100, a car cost about $1700, rentals cost roughly $85 per month, the Dow Jones recovered back to the pre-Wall Street crash highs of 381.14, gas was 21 cents per gallon and inflation was .32%. Mind blowing prices compared to what we pay for these things today. Our entertainment included a new program called the Tonight Show with Steve Allen, Marilyn Monroe married Joe DeMaggio and Elvis began his infamous shake, rattle and roll career. White Christmas, The Caine Mutiny, On the Waterfront and other now classics were the movies you could see at a movie theatre for 70 cents per

ticket. On television, all black and white with only a few channels, we watched Father Knows Best, I Love Lucy, The Adventures of Superman, and the Lone Ranger. The Taylor Swift of the day included Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Dean Martin, Doris Day, Perry Como, and Eddie Fisher. Armistice Day was renamed Veteran’s Day to honor veterans of the Civil War, WWI, WWII, and Korea. General Motors celebrated the production of their 50 millionth car, the Pledge of Allegiance added “under God” and the first mass vaccination of children against polio began.

With history as a guide, the polio vaccine, and the rapid growth of students in the school district may have been part of the reason local businessmen started a Kiwanis Club in

continued on page 10

Sunrise Highway and Wantagh Avenue 1954 Courtesy of the Wantagh Preservation Society

Wantagh LIRR from 1885 to 1965

Courtesy of the Wantagh Preservation Society

continued from page 8

Wantagh. The original twenty-nine members included bankers, lawyers, the Superintendent of Schools, a doctor, accountant, shop owners, a plumber, druggist, engineer, real estate brokers, architect, dentist, insurance, and a cartoonist.

Wantagh was a bucolic place in 1954, but tragedy can happen anywhere, as it did one summer day in August. On August 3rd United States Air Force Captain William Hubbard Weiland flying a Thunderjet from Delaware to Massachusetts maneuvered his flaming military aircraft and crashed into Denver Road around noon. By staying with his disabled fighter jet, the captain likely minimized the risk of greater injuries and deaths on the ground. Captain Weiland’s amazing and dedicated ability to place his Thunderjet into a less populated area that day was done knowing his

Wantagh Kiwanis Celebrates Its 70th Anniversary

own life would end in the process. That is the soul of a hero. In the end, thirty homes were damaged with debris spread out on Denver, Dover, and Roxbury.

The new suburban Wantagh came together to reflect and assist each other on August 8th when more than 300 people gathered from the military, neighbors, and local organizations. Together they paid tribute to the commitment and sacrifice of Captain Weiland. A fundraising effort began in the community to offer support for the captain’s young widow and 18-month-old daughter. Five people in Wantagh were injured due to the crash and one man died days later due to the burns he endured. It is not clear if this was the start of Wantagh’s spirit of pulling together during times of adversity, tragedy, storms, and celebrations, but the Wantagh Kiwanis Club in its first year was likely part of the effort.

Over the past seventy

years the club has found ways to improve the lives of children in the community. From participating in the funding of school playgrounds, sending children from financially fragile families to Kamp Kiwanis in the Adirondacks, to raising funds for the “Wantagh Cabin” at Kamp Kiwanis and a second cabin named for the Bast Family, former Kiwanians. Add to the many years of volunteering at soup kitchens with high school students, remodeling low income houses in Rockville Center alongside Habitat for Humanity, building ramps for a disabled teen and a senior citizen, supplying air conditioners to a family with two young children suffering with respiratory diseases, toy drives for families during the holidays or those that lost all in fires, St. Mary’s Childrens Hospital, community clean ups, beach cleanups, co-sponsor of Triangle Park with other local

organizations, Key Club, scholarships to graduating high school students, food and clothing drives, Camp Good Mourning that helps grieving children, the NUMC Burn Center’s burn camp, the American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House and so much more.

Whether going back 70 years to the mid 1950’s when Kiwanis was still an all-male club not allowing women members until 1987, to twenty-four years into the new millennium, Kiwanis International continues to look for and tries to answer the needs of children within our community. The Wantagh High School Key Club is currently running their Warriors for a Cure fundraising campaign that supports research for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Their efforts over the years have been substantial with the funds raised going to research that may one day help to find a cure for blood cancers. Food drives continue and are

still in need with another scheduled for March 23rd at King Kullen. Food insecurity remains a crucial issue for children. The lack of proper nutrition can influence a child’s ability to learn and to grow. So many things continue today that the founding members of the Kiwanis Club of Wantagh started years ago.

How we dress, communicate, the cars we drive, the cost of homes, rent and so many other things are light years apart today from the beginning efforts in 1954, but the need within our community remains constant. As the world seems to be moving faster now more than ever before, the critical essentials for children have not changed. Children have and always will need a community’s support to maneuver safely through life. To educate, inform, protect, and give them the chance to make a positive future for themselves, and hopefully their

community. That is what Kiwanis was doing in 1954 and continues to do today in 2024.

The events that led to the Kiwanis Club’s inception, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Merrick, may have been the idea of a local businessman that moved to Wantagh and had been part of a club elsewhere. Or perhaps the rapid growth of this former farming community was a way to get to know your new neighbors and come together. Whatever the impetus was at that time, the result is the same.

The Kiwanis Club of Wantagh and around the world continues to make children’s lives better.

Contributions and resources for this article include but are not limited to: Kiwanis International, The Wantagh Preservation Society, Arlingtoncemetery. net, newyorktimes.com, newspapers.com, liherald. com, New York Heritage and many Kiwanis members.

The Wantagh Hotel

Courtesy of the Wantagh Preservation Society

The Kiwanis Club of Wantagh Charter – March 11, 1954

Courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Wantagh

Patr i c k’s atricFourth Annual

17 MARCH

2 – 4 pm

Hoops And Dollars At Wantagh

For nearly three decades, Wantagh Middle School students have shown their commitment to heart health by raising money for the American Heart Association. This year, their donations exceeded $6,000, and the fundraising effort culminated with a basketball competition.

Hoops for Hearts began with preliminary rounds in physical education classes throughout February. Students who raised money for the American Heart Association were eligible to compete for a spot in the finals. On March 1, nearly 30

Heart Fundraiser

class winners competed in a basketball game of knockout. Eighth graders filled out the bleachers to cheer on the finalists. The walls were also covered in red and pink paper hearts on which students wrote messages or encouragement or tributes to family members who had heart disease.

Seventh graders Ava DeVita and Lucas Tartakoff emerged as the schoolwide champions. The three top individual fundraisers were also recognized – Victoria Guber, $795; Landon Fusco, $750; and Maisie Stachlik, $368.

The 28th annual Hoops for Heart was organized by physical education teachers Deb DiBiase, Thomas Liguori, Eileen Keener and Gary Reh. During their classes, they educated students about the American Heart Association and how the money is used to help people with heart disease, in addition to giving students tips to maintain their own health.

“We want to convey to them how to live a healthy lifestyle and have a healthy heart,” Ms. Keener said.

Photos courtesy of the Wantagh School District

A Hundred Reasons To Smile

The 100th day of school marked an important moment for kindergartners at Forest Lake Elementary School in the Wantagh School District. They showed their durability as they only have about 2,200 more school days left until graduation.

The young learners celebrated the milestone

with an afternoon of fun. There were activities based around the number, such as building with 100 blocks or creating a gumball machine with 100 dots. Each student made a calming bottle to take home filled with water, glitter and 100 beads. Teachers and parent volunteers helped out at

the stations.

In the hallway, the entire kindergarten contributed to a paint collage of 100 handprints. At home, students also made posters with 100 objects or stickers that they brought to school to show their mastery of the three-digit number.

Photos courtesy of the Wantagh School District

100TH DAY OF SCHOOL CROWNS - Forest Lake Elementary School kindergartners, from left, Ella LoMonaco, Charlie Zinser, William Martinek and Mikey Cavalieri donned their 100th day of school crowns on Feb. 8.

100-DAY GUMBALL MACHINES - Luka Bianco, left, Dominic Recher, center, and Camden Cook made their 100-day gumball machines with finger-painted dots.

TOP FUNDRAISERS - This year’s top fundraisers for the American Heart Association were, from left, Victoria Guber, Landon Fusco and Maisie Stachlik.

TOP FINISHERS - Ava DeVita and Lucas Tartakoff were the top finishers in the Hoops for Heart finals.

Photo By Richard Termine

1220 Hicksville Road, Seaford NY 11783

1220 Hicksville Road, Seaford, NY 11783

www.northwell.edu/imaging/locations/massapequa

Now providing state-of-the-art imaging services right in your neighborhood in a warm and safe environment.

providing state - of- the- art imaging services right in your neighborhood in a warm and environment

SERVICES OFFERED:

MRI, Low Dose CT Scan, Cardiac Services, Ultrasound, Digital X - ray, DEXA (Bone Density)

Comprehensive Breast Imaging Services

3- D Mammography, Breast Ultrasound, Breast MRI

Breast Biopsies including Ultrasound - Guided, MRI- Guided and Stereotactic

SERVICES OFFERED:

Appointments: 516- 266 -3456

MRI, Low Dose CT Scan, Cardiac Services, Ultrasound, Digital X-ray, DEXA (Bone Density)

Comprehensive Breast Imaging Services

3-D Mammography, Breast Ultrasound, Breast MRI

Breast Biopsies including Ultrasound-Guided, MRI-Guided and Stereotactic

Appointments: 516-266-3456

418587BN031324

Wantagh Warrior Features Old-School Journalism, New-Age Media

The young journalists of Wantagh High School’s student newspaper, The

Warrior, are making an impact both in print and online.

Editor-in-chief Michelle Smith, a senior, received honorable mention in the

WANTAGH WARRIOR - Wantagh High School junior Lorenzo Hilliard has launched a new video interview series for The Warrior newspaper’s Instagram account and editor-in-chief Michelle Smith received honorable mention for a sports story in the Quill Journalism competition. Photo courtesy of the Wantagh School District

best sports story category in the Quill Journalism competition. Awards were presented at Adelphi University’s Press Day on Feb. 16. Her piece, which appeared in The Warrior’s fall edition, was a recap of the 2023 varsity football season. Michelle was the paper’s sports editor last year and plans to major in broadcast journalism in college, with aspirations of becoming an NHL announcer.

“I was really excited and it was nice to get the recognition in as a senior,” Michelle said of receiving the award. “I love getting to explore what I’m passionate about and I do enjoy writing about a variety of topics.”

Newspaper adviser Chris Rafferty commended Michelle for her hard work and dedication to the paper, from writing stories, to planning each edition, to managing a staff.

“Michelle is a phenomenal editor-in-chief and deserves every accolade that she gets,” he said. “She is a very talented writer and interviewer.”

The Warrior is expanding beyond its thrice-annual print publication. Michelle and junior Lorenzo Hilliard have joined together to expand The Warrior’s reach by using social media. Michelle took over management of the Instagram account as a junior, and this year welcomed Lorenzo to the team, whose video interviews with students and teachers are creating a buzz around the school.

Lorenzo’s Corner launched in January and he posts one or two new interviews each week on the @wantagh_warrior_ newspaper Instagram account. He asks the interview subjects about music, school activities, favorite foods and more.

Kind-Hearted Students Make A Positive Impact

His inspiration comes from Instagram and TikTok personalities who do on-the-street interviews, and wanted to bring that to Wantagh High School. Lorenzo said it merges his interests in theater and journalism.

“It adds something original to the school,” Lorenzo said, noting that the interviews are light-hearted and meant to make people smile. “Everyone seems to love it.”

Michelle added that The Warrior’s growing presence on Instagram is beneficial to the newspaper and brings more attention to the great work of the newspaper staff. When people visit the Instagram page to view Lorenzo’s Corner, they frequently click on the link to The Warrior website in the bio section to read the latest stories.

The joy was noticeable at Wantagh High School on Feb. 9 as the school celebrated P.S. I Love You Day, an initiative dedicated to eradicating the stigma around mental health. The

purple streamers hanging from the ceilings and purple hearts with positive messages throughout the hallways brightened up the school and energized students and staff.

This was Wantagh’s first year as an official P.S. I Love You Day school, partnering with the West Islip-based nonprofit organization.

The high school’s Morgan’s Message and Physical

Education Leaders clubs joined forces to spread kindness and cheer. Students were encouraged to wear purple and they were also given purple beads as they walked

into school that morning. Members of the two clubs staffed a table in lobby, where students could write positive messages either for themselves or for others. They could also add their names to a giant P.S. I Love You Day banner.

After school on Feb. 8, more than 30 students from the two clubs decorated the building to ensure that students and staff would walk in the next morning feeling cheerful and inspired. Elaina Buscemi, Sienna Diglio and Brighid Smith, student officers from Morgan’s Message and Physical Education leaders, spearheaded the efforts.

“I hope this can put into perspective that everyone has tough times but no one ever is alone,” Brighid said. “There’s always going to be someone there to talk to.”

Brighid added that the clubs have been planning for P.S. I Love You Day since December, and it was rewarding to see their

efforts pay off. Seeing so many students wearing purple, she noted, meant the message was getting out there.

“It’s important for us to raise awareness,” she said.

Adding to the team effort, students from the culinary arts classes baked cookies with purple sprinkles that were given out in the lobby.

Morgan’s Messages advisers Valerie Gompers and Iris Kline, and Physical Education Leaders advisers Marisa Caccese and Deb DiBiase, commended the hard work of the students to organize P.S. I Love You Day and implement all of their ideas. Not only did they work hard, but their efforts made a difference.

“For them to take charge and do this says so much about them as student leaders,” Ms. Gompers said. “I’m blown away by how much the school came together. Students are respecting this day and taking it seriously.”

KIND-HEARTED STUDENTS MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT - Students from Morgan’s Message and the Physical Education Leaders club at Wantagh High School organized activities for P.S. I Love You Day

Plan Ahead For An ‘Eggceptional’ Easter Egg Hunt

Easter is steeped in both religious and secular traditions. Each year on Easter Sunday, many families feast on ham or lamb. Hot cross buns may be served as morning treats. Faithful Christians may dress up in their Sunday best to attend religious services.

Easter egg hunts are another time-honored component of this festive occasion. According to History.com, the Easter bunny and his eggs may initially have been derived from stories about an egglaying hare introduced to Americans by German settlers during the 1700s. Children would make nests and the hare would leave behind colored eggs.

Children often relish the idea of scouring their homes and yards in search of brightly-hued plastic or hard-boiled eggs. A little planning on the part of Easter egg hunt organizers can make this festive

tradition even more fun.

• Set the date: If Easter egg hunts are more than just family affairs and involve neighborhood searches or hunts with a close-knit group of friends, it may be smart to schedule in the days before Easter. This helps ensure that a good crowd will be available. Hunts on Easter itself may not get as many participants because celebrants could be at church or celebrating privately.

• Gather supplies early. Easter decorations and plastic eggs sell out rather quickly, so it’s wise to stock up on items as soon as they reach store shelves. If you’ll be using real eggs, consider boiling and coloring the eggs a week before the egg hunt so you won’t feel a time crunch. Simply store the dyed eggs in the refrigerator until ready for use. Color around six to 12 eggs per participant.

• Designate a search area. Aim for a relatively private spot for the egg hunt. A park may seem like a good idea, but people who were not included in the egg count could wander in. If you use a public space, rope off an area where the eggs will be hidden. In addition, have a backup plan if the weather does not cooperate. School gymnasiums, libraries or church recreational centers are some potential indoor options.

• Have pails at the ready. Some children will forget to bring a basket. Therefore, have extra, inexpensive pails or buckets on hand. Sturdy gift bags also work in a pinch.

• Keep ages in mind when hiding eggs. Avoid choosing hiding spots that can be dangerous or prove too difficult for kids to find the eggs. Before hiding eggs, count how many you have, which will

help to ensure all eggs are collected later on. Next, identify hiding spots that will work for various ages. For example, toddlers will need conspicuous spots, and older children more challenging nooks and crannies. A map of where every egg is hidden can help as well. Real eggs may not matter outdoors since wildlife could simply dine on any undiscovered

eggs. However, plastic eggs are not good for the environment and every attempt should be made to collect them all.

• Send children out in stages. Let the youngest kids go first, and then group each search team by ascending age. This helps make sure the older kids won’t simply snatch up the more easily found eggs.

• Reward with prizes. Be sure each child has some sort of takeaway prize. However, it’s fine to reward the best egg hunter with a more substantial prize.

• Gather and celebrate. Encourage guests to bring a small dish to contribute. After the hunt, everyone can gather to enjoy some refreshments.

No Division Between Summit Lane And High School Neighbor

Separated by merely an athletic field, Summit Lane Elementary School and Division Avenue High School in the Levittown School District have a strong bond. The partnerships between the two schools was in the spotlight for the academic presentation at the board of education meeting on Feb. 7.

“We’re very fortunate at Summit Lane that we have great neighbors,” Principal Keith Squillacioti said, as he introduced teachers, as well as both elementary and high school students, to talk about those connections.

Through Junior Achievement, Division Avenue students visit Summit Lane classes to teach lessons on

entrepreneurship and financial literacy. High school students are trained on the curriculum and classroom management techniques before implementing the lessons at the elementary. The partnership extends more than 15 years and Summit Lane is a Junior Achievement Gold School. The service learning and

leadership development program is overseen by Christine Pace.

Teacher Casey Graham and students talked about Big Dragon, the first partnership between the schools, established more than 20 years ago. Division Avenue students are paired with Summit Lane teachers and assist with classroom activities. The Big Dragons

help students with classwork, read to them, play games and even help the youngsters learn how to play instruments.

Bilingual Buddies, coordinated by Genevieve Pannell, began in 2022. High school students work with elementary students who are learning English. The Division Avenue buddies are able to communicate

with the children in their native language, including Spanish, Mandarin and Urdu. They help their younger peers finish classwork, start homework and become stronger and more confident readers. Ms. Pannell said that Summit Lane’s English language learners benefit both academically and socially from the experience.

NO DIVISION BETWEEN SUMMIT LANE AND HIGH SCHOOL NEIGHBOR - The Levittown Board of Education meeting on Feb. 7 featured a presentation on the partnerships between Summit Lane Elementary School and Division Avenue High School. Photo courtesy of the Levittown School District

Division Avenue High School Student Accepted To West Point

Division Avenue High School in the Levittown School District is proud to announce that senior Alex Gao has been accepted to attend West Point Academy.

The application for West Point is rigorous, involving multiple tests, essays and interviews, as well as a required sponsorship from a United States congressmember.

Of the roughly 14,000 applications received nationwide, only about 4,000 are accepted to

the school. Alex first considered joining West Point at the end of his junior year, when he attended a weeklong summer program and received educational experience at West Point.

Alex is the class vice president, a role which gave him many opportunities to develop leadership and character.

Additionally, Alex is a leader in the marching band, a member of the track team, a Peer Leader and has achieved the

rank of Eagle Scout.

During the past summer, Alex has interned with a humanitarian group in Bangladesh, where he further dedicated himself to serving others.

“My goal is to be the best version of myself that I can be, and to lead others with confidence in the future,” Alex said.

The district commends Alex for this remarkable achievement and wishes him luck in his future endeavors.

It’s The Year Of The Dragon At Lee Road Elementary School

The Lee Road Elementary School community in the Levittown School District marked Lunar New Year with crafts and lessons reflecting the holiday’s traditions on Feb. 7. Students in each grade excitedly entered the Year

of the Dragon and worked collaboratively to learn about the meaning behind the Chinese holiday. In kindergarten, craft dragons came to life with a pop of colors commonly associated with the Lunar New Year. The students

cut out their dragons and assembled them into puppets for a miniature parade. Additionally, a scavenger hunt had third graders parading around looking for clues to help them complete a Lunar New Year fact sheet.

IT’S THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON - Lee Road Elementary School kindergartners John Scudero and Haris Ahmed entered the year of the dragon on Feb. 7. Photo courtesy of Levittown Public Schools

The grand opening of the Wisdom Lane Middle School library attracted all the buildings’ readers on Feb. 14. The library recently underwent a topto-bottom renovation, expanding the learning

Wisdom Lane Cuts The Ribbon On New Library

opportunities librarians will provide.

The ribbon was cut to the sound of cheers as administrators, building leaders and students gathered for the opening. Inside, the library

featured newly organized bookshelves with new books, plenty of tables and chairs to read on and a SmartBoard. Classes will soon start utilizing the space for lessons with the support of librarian Caitlin

Stabile and senior library clerk Robyn Walsh.

“I’m mostly excited that kids are so excited,” Stabile said. “It’s already a popular place to be, now it’ll get extra attention.”

“I’ve been anticipating

this for months now,” said eighth grader Adam Wong.

“I read a lot, so I’m excited for all the new books,” said Fiona Adams, also in eighth grade. “I’ll be here as often as I can come.”

“We’re very excited about the new design of the library,” Principal John Avena said. “We look forward to all students and staff utilizing the space as we move forward.”

GRAND OPENING OF THE WISDOM LANE MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY - Students, staff and administrators gathered for the grand opening of the Wisdom Lane Middle School library on Feb. 14. Photos courtesy of Levittown Public Schools

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY- Librarian Caitlin Stabile cut the ribbon for the grand opening.

WISDOM LANE CUTS THE RIBBON ON NEW LIBRARY - Principals, administrators and school staff gathered for the occasion. Photo courtesy of Levittown Public Schools

Irish Soda Bread Makes The Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Appetizer

Irish cuisine may not be as widely recognizable or familiar across North America as Chinese, Italian or Mexican fare. But that doesn’t mean Irish food lacks fans and flavor. As the world prepares to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on or around March 17, individuals who want to include some popular Irish fare in their festivities won’t want to exclude this recipe for “Irish Soda Bread” from AllRecipes.com.

Directions

Irish Soda Bread

Yields 11⁄2 loaf (20 servings)

4 cups all-purpose flour

1⁄2 cup margarine, softened

4 tablespoons white sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg

1⁄4 cup butter, melted

1⁄4 cup buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Mix flour, softened margarine, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Combine melted butter with 1⁄4 cup buttermilk in a small bowl; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an ‘X’ into the top of the loaf.

Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.