The district held its annual Music Awards Night on June 2, celebrating the talent and dedication of its student musicians. The evening included recognition of Long Island String Festival, NYSCAME All-State, NYSSMA All-County and SCMEA All-County awards, as well as performances by Deer Park High School’s jazz ensemble, orchestra and Phoenix Club vocal ensemble and Robert Frost Middle School’s chamber orchestra and chamber choir, and a solo piano performance by student Nicholas Nappo. 

“Tonight was a powerful reminder of what music can do,” Director of Fine and Performing Arts Bradley Murphy said. “It brings people together, it inspires and it gives our students a voice. The level of talent and heart on that stage was incredible. I am so proud of our young musicians and deeply thankful for the teachers who nurture their creativity every day. This celebration truly shows how strong and vibrant music education is here in Deer Park.”

Date Added: 6/11/2025

At the May 27 Board of Education meeting, Deer Park recognized administrators, teachers and staff members for their many years of dedicated service in reaching milestone markers, those who are retiring, and those who have successfully gone through the tenure process.

“Congratulations to our retirees and service award winners this evening,” Board of Education President Donna Marie Elliott said. “Thank you for your love and devotion to our district. I never get tired of saying that we have the greatest thing going on here in Deer Park, and the reason why this place is so special is because of a great team. Each component of this team is not more important than the other, but together, we achieve and share in our district’s successes.”

“It’s an exciting night of saying thank you to those who have served the community and welcoming those who are about to serve the community,” Superintendent James Cummings said.  

The following were recognized for their service to the district:

35 YEARS
Mary Reynolds

30 YEARS
Kescha Correa
Josephine DiMaio
Thomas Locascio
Danielle Sheridan
Eileen Tuozzo

25 YEARS
Karen Acquilino
Jennifer Arella
DeDe Bertelle
Jason Bond
Lisa Brennan
Rosalie Brody
Drew Cisek
Dea Compitello
Nancy Cordone
Randi Cortina
Danielle Dabrusky
Michelle D’Auria
Barbara Goemans
Melissa Green
Marianna Grieco
Stephen Hansen
Kerri Held
Tricia Hurlbert
John King
Wendy Kraus
Eliana Levey
Mary Kay Lynch
Christine MacQuarrie
Karen Mannale
Kathleen Manning
John McCaffrey
Belinda McDermott
Alexandros Mesimeris
Kristen Noblett
Richard Paruolo
Anthony Pirozzi
Denise Scholz
Audrey Schulter
Deborah Sciacca
Peter Shek
Noel Skelton
Anthony Tannacore
Beth Ann Vahle
Laura Weiler
Maria Wingert
Victoria Zanni


The following were recognized for their retirement and service to the district: 

30 YEARS
Theresa Santa Maria

25 YEARS
Dennis McNeil
Tara Wellbrock


The following were recognized for their retirement from the district:

TEACHERS 
Roseanne Alfieri
Kathryn Attard
Steven Jaklitsch
Donna Josefak
Laurie Osbern
Gregg Romano
Allison Sweeney
Gina Zulkofske

TEACHING ASSISTANTS 
Eileen LaMotte
Pauline Mauro

CLERICAL 
Laura Dudley
Carol Ottersen
Debra Rios

TRANSPORTATION 
Harry Cooper
Carmine DeMaio
Harold Klein
Debra Wares Holland


This year’s tenure recipients are:

DISTRICTWIDE
Matthew Comiskey (Districtwide Elementary Associate Principal)
Danielle Kraatz (School Psychologist)
Philip Paniccia (Director of Elementary Special Education)
Nicole Thone (Special Education Teacher/Behavior Consultant)

DEER PARK HIGH SCHOOL            
Nicole Bjarnason (World Language Teacher)
Kerry Burke (Teaching Assistant)
Hunter Hayes (Special Education Teacher)
Vanessa Langdon (Director of Social Studies/Family & Consumer Science)
Arthur Pagano (Technology Teacher)
Dr. Dina Pannone (Associate Principal)
Diana Rispoli (Science Teacher)

ROBERT FROST MIDDLE SCHOOL        
Daniel Friend (Physical Education Teacher)
Nicole Hock (Reading Teacher)
Danielle Waterhouse (Art Teacher)

JOHN F. KENNEDY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL        
Brittany Grosse (Elementary Teacher) 
Dana Matuk (Special Education Teacher)
Darlene Matulich (Reading Teacher)
Leidy Munoz (Teaching Assistant)
Faye Parag (Special Education Teacher)

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS PRIMARY SCHOOL            
Alison Bock (Elementary Teacher)
Heather Capone (Elementary Teacher)
Victoria Mott (Elementary Teacher)

MAY MOORE PRIMARY SCHOOL            
Tammy Alcalde (Principal)
Botticelli Elysee (ENL Teacher)
Juliana Giulietti (Elementary Teacher)
Brittany Hertel (Special Education Teacher)
Samantha Racano (Art Teacher)
Alexis Tyson (Teaching Assistant)

Date Added: 6/4/2025

The Spring Concert series at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School, held on May 7-8, proved to be a special one this year. Over the past year, the school has seen two outstanding music educators retire, Orchestra Director Kathy Attard in December and Fifth-Grade Band Director Louis Nicolosi last June. The concerts began with JFK’s newest music teacher, Kelly Policastro, leading the orchestra.  

“Kelly had big shoes to fill after saying goodbye to Mrs. Attard, but what a wonderful job she did,” Chorus Director Kristen Lombardo said. “She took over the program mid-year and her students flawlessly transitioned with her. She is a welcomed addition to our music staff.”

The concerts were nonetheless bittersweet. One more retiree, Band Director Gregg Romano, had his last concert after 24 years of service. This year, Romano had taken over the entire band program, after previously sharing it with Nicolosi.   

“Deer Park and JFK have been such a significant part of my teaching career,” Romano said. “I want to thank the administrators, my colleagues and the students for all of the wonderful memories I will carry with me forever. My very best wishes to you all for much success and joy.”

Date Added: 5/13/2025

Students in the Falcon Friends Club at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School worked on a lovely Positivity Garden project this spring. They were given a banner, created by teacher Samantha Racano, and filled in all the flower petals with positive words. They also created decorative “rocks of encouragement” by painting meaningful words and phrases on the rocks. 

Run by music teachers Briana Fayans, Kristen Lombardo and Theresa Santa Maria, the Falcon Friends Club encourages socialization while doing fun projects together, building teamwork and fostering new friendships.   

“The Positivity Garden now resides in a showcase at JFK, meant to bring smiles to all who pass by,” Lombardo said. 

Date Added: 5/5/2025

During March, students and staff at Deer Park’s John Quincy Adams Primary School and John F. Kennedy Intermediate School teamed up once again to collect and donate Play-Doh to the children at Northwell Health’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center. Following last year's successful initiative, over 1,000 cans of Play-Doh were donated. Play-Doh is often used therapeutically in hospitals to offer comfort, provide a creative outlet for expression and serve as a distraction during challenging times. 

“We are grateful to the students and families in the Deer Park community who donated to this wonderful cause,” teachers Kristen Alo and Kathryn Outcault said. “Thank you for helping to make a difference.”

Date Added: 4/16/2025