Memorial Day observed at Covert

On May 23, William S. Covert Elementary School was visited by Valerie Pfundstein, author of children’s book “Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood,” about a young boy who learns about veterans in school and discovers that military heroes can be found within his community. Pfundstein, who is a kindergarten support specialist at Birch Lane Elementary School in Massapequa Park, spent the morning with Covert students sharing and interacting with them.

Covert’s very own Charles DiPrima, the building’s head custodian, respected and known by all of Covert’s students and staff, shared his father’s experience in World War II and a framed display of his awards and certificates in honor of the day’s theme. DiPrima will present this display to his father, Vincent DiPrima, on his 91st birthday on July 2nd. 

The school’s second grade learned about the wearing of poppies in honor of America’s war fallen. The practice of wearing of poppies takes its origin from the poem “In Flanders Fields” written in 1915 by John McCrae. Inspired by this and the class’s Teaching Assistant, Lauren Ostarch, and Student-Teacher, Erin Weinberg, the class made poppies and distributed them throughout the building.