59.0°,
Light Rain A new year begins at East Broadway
As East Broadway Elementary School Principal Jeanmarie Wink walked the halls while students were settling into their classes on Sept. 2, she said she could think of no better place to be.
With the sun shining bright and temperatures reminiscent of summer, students arrived at the school on Seaman’s Neck Road on foot and by bus. East Broadway, part of the Levittown School District, opened it’s doors to nearly 700 students, mostly from North Wantagh and northern Seaford, including seven classes of kindergartners.
“It’s good and it’s bad; it’s exciting and it’s stressful at the same time,” said Peter MacDonald, of Seaford, whose son, Joseph, started kindergarten there last week.
His son was a little nervous, but was also looking forward to making new friends and learning how to read. Joseph was comforted by having two friends from pre-school join him at East Broadway. “I think he’ll do great,” his father said.
Kindergarten teacher Kim Russo, who has worked at the school for 20 years, said that the students will have a lot to do this year. In addition to their class work, there will be a back-to-school picnic and the Boo Halloween party, along with field trips to the Long Island Children’s Museum and a pumpkin farm.
“I’m excited for the new kindergartners,” Russo said, “excited for their venture here at East Broadway. They have a long journey here.”
She said she and her colleagues spent a few weeks before school started getting their classrooms ready, and making sure they were “colorful and inviting” places. “I want them to feel happy and safe,” Russo said, “and that this is their home away from home.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Sciotto, a fifth-grader, began his last year at East Broadway before he will venture off to middle school. He said he wants to do more in-depth science experiments this year. “I’m looking forward to a really fun year and a lot of cool things,” he said.
To get ready for the new school year, Anthony said he did a lot of shopping, picking up a new backpack and sneakers among other clothing and school supplies.
Susanna Tom, of Wantagh, said she was glad to have her sons, Ryan, a fifth-grader, and Kyle, a third-grader, back in the school routine. “They are excited to see their friends,” she said.
Tom Carriero, who has taught second, third and fourth grade in the past, is new to teaching fifth grade this year. He said he is excited to get students ready for their move to middle school.
Carriero, who said this year he has a few students he has taught before, wants his classroom to be a comfortable place for children. “I want them to learn,” he said, “but I want them to have fun while doing it.”
