Celebrating St. William the Abbot School

For the first time, students and teachers competed in a friendly volleyball game during Catholic Schools Week.

Eric Dunetz/Herald

From the new students vs. teachers volleyball game to Crazy Sock Day, St. William the Abbot School families had lots of opportunities to celebrate what they said makes their community great during Catholic Schools Week. 

The annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States was observed from Jan. 29 through Feb. 4. St. William the Abbot — a Seaford school that also takes in students from Wantagh, Bellmore, Merrick, East Meadow, Levittown and Massapequa and Amityville — hosted open houses and educational, recreational and service activities for the community. 

Principal Elizabeth Bricker, said that she was looking forward to celebrating her first Catholic Schools Week in the building. Describing the students as impressive and their parents as generous, Bricker said that she understands why generations of families keep coming back to St. William the Abbot School. 

Jim Cantanno, St. William’s school board president, sent his children to the school because his wife, Kathryn, is a parishioner at the church. The Massapequa Park resident said that members of the congregation and school community immediately made his family feel welcome and have supported them through difficult times. 

Kathryn was diagnosed with breast cancer when the Cantanno family twins — Alex and Aidan, who are now seventh-graders at the school — were only 3 years old. St. Willam parents pitched in, making meals for the family and offering to look after the children. 

“Dozens of people I knew and dozens more who I didn’t know were incredibly helpful,” he said. “I knew it was a great place, but that really solidified my view of how important St. William’s was to my family.” 

Cantanno said that that the tight-knit nature of the community makes St. William the Abbott School unique. Like other parents and volunteers, he attempted to convey how the school “offers something above and beyond basic education” at the Catholic Schools Week open house on Jan. 29. 

Teachers explained that Catholic Schools Week is also a time that St. William the Abbot School families honor their commitment to community service and programs that build camaraderie among children, parents and educators. Bricker introduced a new event to this year’s repertoire — a friendly volleyball game that pitted students against teachers. 

Children in different grades came to watch the volleyball game, which was held on Jan. 31. The youngsters made signs to show support for their teachers and friends. 

Cantanno said that he thought the “maroon vs. white” game was a great idea and something else for generations of St. William the Abbot School families to enjoy. 

“Several of our families are on their third and fourth generation of students,” he noted. “When we have kids and their kids and their kids’ kids coming back, obviously people are getting something out of it.”