A cut above the rest

Several Washington Street students participated in the school's head-shaving event for St. Baldrick's.

Courtesy Valerie Mazzone

Gregg Aho, from left, top row, John Stella, Alex Soupios, Sean Boyle, Mario Piscitelli Kneeling, Kevin Wagner, from left, kneeling, Jason Tomack and Po Chan were among the dozens of local residents who shaved their heads at the Washington Street School on March 31.

Courtesy Valerie Mazzone

Patrick McGrath’s locks were cut by Darlene Sangeniti.

Susan Grieco/Herald

Michael Deutsch had his head shaved by Grace Jennings.

Susan Grieco/Herald

The Franklin Square Union Free School District’s first-ever St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser was themed, “Be Brave. Be Strong. Be Bald.”

Susan Grieco/Herald

Local resident Joseph Mione traded in his long locks for a buzz cut last Saturday at the Washington Street School’s fundraiser for children’s cancer research, held in conjunction with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Susan Grieco/Herald

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The Franklin Square Community came together on March 31, at Washington Street School, to fight pediatric cancers. More than 150 district students, teachers and parents shaved their heads to raise money for The St. Baldrick's Foundation, a national organization dedicated to funding children’s cancer research. Hundreds more volunteered and/or attended the event.

            The event — a first for the Franklin Square district — was a proud moment for the local community. “Shavees” included including Franklin Square district Superintendent Patrick Manley and Board of Education President Joe Armocida, who were first to have their heads shaved; district assistant principals John Stella and Thomas Riccobono; 11 teachers; and one custodian.

            “It truly was a special event for all of those involved, and more successful than we could have ever imagined,” Stella said. “The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a foundation that promotes awareness, generates cures, and creates fun for all involved.”

Donations can still be placed online for this fundraiser; visit https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/franklinsquareschools. For more information about the event, contact Stella at jstella@franklinsquare.k12.ny.us.

Click here to view all of our photos: https://www.liherald.com/photos.

The story “F.S. district raises $20K for kids’ cancer research,” in the April 5-11 issue of the Herald, reported that the Franklin Square Union Free School District raised more than $20,000 during a fundraiser for children’s cancer research on March 31. While that statement was correct, it didn’t fully report the district’s numbers by the end of the day on March 31 — nearly $62,000 has been raised so far.