West Hempstead Weekly Update
On behalf of the Board of Education, WHe want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in this week's budget and trustee vote. Your engagement in local governance is vital to our shared community, and WHe deeply appreciate your time and commitment to making your voice heard.
We are pleased to share the official results:
School Budget Vote
- Yes: 1,510
- No: 1,098
Result: The school budget has been approved.
Board of Education Trustees
- Ms. Brohm: 1,871 votes
- Mr. Cole: 1,819 votes
- Ms. Gallina: 1,508 votes
- Mr. Skorski: 1,009 votes
Result: Ms. Brohm and Mr. Cole have been re-elected, and Ms. Gallina has been elected to the Board of Education.
Public Library Budget
- Yes: 1,730
- No: 796
Result: The public library budget has been approved.
Public Library Trustee Seat
- Mr. Lloyd: 376 votes
- Ms. Merle: 285 votes
Result: Mr. Lloyd has been elected to the Library Board of Trustees.
Your participation in this democratic process demonstrates the strength of our community and your commitment to quality education and public services. The decisions made through this vote will help shape our schools and library for the coming year.
We are grateful to all community members who took the time to vote, regardless of how you voted.
Every voice matters, and your participation strengthens our democratic process. Ms. Brohm, Mr. Cole, and Ms. Gallina will be officially sworn in at the July Board of Education meeting.
Thank you again for your commitment to our community.
Our recent District-Wide Art Show was an outstanding success, showcasing the remarkable artistic talents of our West Hempstead students from kindergarten through 12th grade!
Visitors experienced an impressive collection of creative works, including ceramics, 3D images, sculptures, and interactive displays. This celebration of creativity offered a wonderful opportunity for our community to immerse itself in the incredible artistic expression happening throughout our schools.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our young artists and witness firsthand the exceptional talent flourishing in our West Hempstead community. The enthusiasm and appreciation shown for our students' work were truly heartwarming!
Hat tip to the students, art teachers, and Ms. Sales for creating this interactive artistic adventure!
This week, WHe had the incredible opportunity to witness the power of personalized learning in action through a special showcase featuring our dedicated host teachers: Kelsey Elias, Danielle Napolitano, Sue Barnett, and Melissa Averaimo.
The afternoon began with an introduction to Personalized Learning Plans and Student-Led Formative Assessment Techniques, followed by dynamic classroom observations that highlighted the innovative approaches our educators are implementing. From Ms. Elias's Grade 1 classroom focusing on goals, stamina, and benchmarking to Mrs. Napolitano and Mrs. Barnett's Grade 1 ICT classroom showcasing math games and goal setting, each visit demonstrated how teachers create meaningful learning experiences tailored to individual student needs.
Mrs. Averaimo's Grade 3 classroom brought project-based learning to life through their engaging "Hop on Hop off Bus Travel" argumentative unit, where students demonstrated remarkable independence, reflection skills, and collaborative group work.
A highlight of the event was our student panel featuring Malachi, Adyaan, Hazel, Kaleb, Marco, and Seraphina, who eloquently shared their experiences with Personalized Learning Plans and self-assessment practices. Their insights reminded us why student voice is at the heart of effective education.
Thank you to our incredible teachers and students for sharing their passion for learning and demonstrating the transformative power of personalized education. Your dedication to putting students at the center of their learning journey inspires us all.
This week, our gymnasium transformed into a vibrant celebration of history, research, and creativity as our fifth-graders proudly presented their biography projects during our annual Publishing Party. The event was a tremendous success, showcasing weeks of dedicated work by our young scholars!
Students embraced various presentation formats, from traditional display boards to digital presentations and even live character portrayals. Many students dressed as their chosen subjects, with some wearing NASA gear, historical attire, and even props to enhance their performances. The subjects ranged from influential scientists and artists to civil rights leaders and sports figures.
Parents, guardians, and community members browsed through the gymnasium, engaging with our confident fifth-graders who eagerly shared their research findings and creative work. Several students incorporated technology into their presentations, using laptops to display additional information and multimedia elements about their biographical subjects.
The event highlighted academic skills like research, writing, and public speaking, demonstrating our students' growing confidence and passion for learning. The support of family volunteers who helped guide students through the research process was invaluable to the project's success.
A special thank you to Ms. Kachejian, Ms. Kopping, Ms. Sciroppo, Ms. Giberson, Ms. Holtkamp, Ms. Walsh, Mr. Popkin, Mr. Selhorn, and Ms. Perlow, who made this enriching experience possible. Events like these remind us of the power of project-based learning to engage students and build lasting connections with the curriculum.
The Junior Honor Society partnered with our grounds crew this week to transform the "WH" display in front of the secondary school into a stunning perennial garden. Our students demonstrated exceptional dedication and enthusiasm throughout the project.
It was particularly inspiring to see our students fully embracing the hands-on nature of the work—digging with their bare hands, examining worms with curiosity, and breaking apart root balls with determination. Their energy and genuine interest in the project were remarkable.
This beautification effort marks an important milestone: for the first time, the WH display features exclusively perennial pollinator plants. These carefully selected varieties will not only create a vibrant display each spring and summer but will also support our local ecosystem by providing essential habitat for pollinators.
WHe are humbled and RamProud to witness our students' commitment to environmental stewardship and campus pride.
#RamFam - WHe plan(t) for the future.
Hat tip to the grounds crew for information on the plants and to Ms. Murphy for organizing and sharing!
With "WHe" as our theme this year, #WHe are inspired to explore, discover, and achieve future wonders. Allow me to share some of the ways one could envision completing the idea of "WHe" throughout this remarkable journey:
- Wonder and Curiosity: Let us ignite a spark of wonder and curiosity in every aspect of our learning. Encouraging students and staff alike to question, explore, and seek knowledge beyond the ordinary.
- “WH”olistic Education: Emphasizing the growth of the whole individual – social, emotional, and academic. We aim to provide opportunities for personal development and well-being in addition to academic excellence.
- Empathy and Humanity: "WHe" stands for "We" as well, reminding us of our collective responsibility to foster empathy, compassion, and kindness. We will create a supportive and inclusive community where everyone feels valued.
- Waves of Change: As a theme, "WHe" also signifies the ever-changing tides of life. We will adapt to new challenges, embrace innovation, and be resilient in the face of uncertainty.
- Expressions of Art and Culture: "WHe" encompasses the essence of artistic and cultural expressions. We will celebrate creativity, appreciate diversity, and nurture talents in various forms.
- Wellness and Health: Prioritizing physical and mental health, creating a safe and nurturing environment where everyone can thrive and grow.
- Leadership and Collaboration: "WHe" represents collective wisdom and the power of collaboration. We will empower our students to be leaders in their own right while fostering teamwork and cooperation.
As #WHe embark on a new academic year, our district introduced three interconnected challenges that will shape our approach to education and personal growth. Under the banner of "WHe Over Me," "Stack the Days," and "The Obstacle is the Way," we're called to embrace collaboration, consistency, and resilience. These principles will guide us in fostering a supportive community, achieving sustainable progress, and transforming obstacles into opportunities. By focusing on these collective challenges, #WHe aim to create an environment where educators and students alike can thrive, learn, and grow together.
WHe Over Me
Commitment: Prioritize the "we" over the "me." Our strength lies in our collective efforts. Let’s work together to create an environment where collaboration, teamwork, and mutual support are at the forefront. Whether it’s through Professional Learning Communities, cross-department collaboration, or simply supporting one another in daily tasks, remember that our combined efforts will lead to greater student success.
Stack the Days
Consistency: Success isn’t built in a day; it’s built by stacking one good day on top of another. This year, focus on making each day count. Whether in lesson planning, student interactions, or professional development, let’s commit to consistent, daily progress. It’s the small, incremental gains that will lead to significant long-term achievements for our students and ourselves.
The Obstacle is the Way
Resilience: Every challenge we face is an opportunity in disguise. When obstacles arise—and they will—let’s face them head-on, knowing that overcoming these challenges will make us stronger and more effective educators. Embrace problems as pathways to growth, and let’s model this resilience for our students.
CHESTNUT STREET SCHOOL, DISTRICT #27
From little acorns, mighty oaks grow.
From a four-room schoolhouse known as the Chestnut Street School, which served 86 children, District #27 has grown over the decades.
Around the turn of the century, the children of West Hempstead and Franklin Square shared a one-room school.
This was located at the junction of Nassau Boulevard and Dogwood Avenue. In 1911, the 29 families living in West Hempstead considered the need for a school for their children.
To receive state aid, Union Free School District #27 was formed in 1912. It covered 1650 acres, and the schoolhouse was to be built as near to the center of the District as possible. The site chosen for the school was Lot 6 and 8 Block 1, Hempstead Gardens Map. It was purchased for $3500. This was the start of the Chestnut Street School.
While the construction of the school building was going on, school was conducted in temporary quarters in a house on Ted Duryea's property on Woodfield Road. District #27 borrowed desks, seats, and blackboards from the Hempstead School District to conduct classes.
The members of the Board of Education for the year 1912 were Mr. P. Ohrtman, Mr. H.W. Rickmeyer, Mr. E. Losee, and Mr. W. Brenneke. The principal was Miss Mary A. Davern; the two teachers were Misses Elizabeth Van Vlick and Edith Slocum.
Toward the end of 1912, the school building was almost completed. It was now time to purchase some of the necessary supplies. The purchase orders read - 12 Arithmetics, 2 boxes of dustless crayons, and 3 Dictionaries, not to exceed $1.50 each. Another matter needed attention. An advertisement in a Hempstead newspaper stated that the School District had for sale "FRUIT TREES AND GRAPE VINES" on the Chestnut Street School site. There was only one bidder. The outcome was never mentioned.
In January 1913, the new four-room school building was completed. Miss Davern was given the assignment of arranging the classrooms. The "Intermediate" class was in the East Room, and the "Primary" was in the West Room on the lower floor. Miss Davern occupied the upper East Room; it is assumed that she taught the older pupils. The West Room was left vacant for the time being. Sometime early in February 1913, the students moved from the temporary schoolhouse to the Chestnut Street School.
Coal was used to heat the building. It was purchased for $4.50 a ton for pea coal and $6.50 a ton for furnace coal.
Hat tip to the Historical Society and Ms. McAvoy for sharing this information.
About Us
Email: drehman@whufsd.com
Website: www.whufsd.com
Location: 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, NY,
Phone: 516-390-3000
