Hewitt School a tradition for Schaefer family

Many people have a strong connection to the elementary school they attended, but for the Schaefers of Rockville Centre, the bond to Hewitt Elementary spans two generations for over two decades — and counting.

Patricia Ann Schaefer, who’s known as Pan, and her husband, Bob, sent all seven of their children to Hewitt, and now five of their grandchildren attend the school.

“It’s definitely a family tradition that feels like it’s circling around again,” Pan said. “Twenty-one years I was in the building, from my first daughter to my last.” She became PTA board president while her children were students there. Now that connection is extending to the next generation of Schaefers.

Of her 14 grandchildren (and one on the way), six will be going to Hewitt Elementary in the near future, bringing the total number of the second generation of Schaefers attending the school to 11.

“It was always a big part of our family,” Schaefer said. “My kids came back and bought homes in Rockville Centre to send their kids there, which I think speaks very highly of the district.”

Her daughter Megan Reda, who has two children in the school’s kindergarten and a 3-year-old who will start classes in two years — and who is pregnant with yet another future Hewitt attendee — said she had fond memories of the school. “I enjoyed my time there, because my teachers were so good,” she said.

Principal Elizabeth Pryke said she was delighted to hear about the Schaefer family’s extensive connection with the school. “I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “They’re a lovely family. I look forward to getting to know the next generation of Schaefers.” Upon learning how many of Pan Schaefer’s grandchildren will ultimately begin their education there, she joked, “We’re going to have to hire some new people!”

Before the start of the school year, Pan and Bob’s son Billy Schaefer told his kindergartner son Rowan that he would be going to the same school his dad attended. Rowan responded by giving his father a tearful hug. “They understand that their parents went to the same school,” said Schaefer. “And it means a lot to them.”

Reda recalled how her children reacted to being told that they would be going to the same school as their mother. “At first they didn’t understand,” she said, “but now both of my kindergartners are very happy I went there, and are able to share the memories.”