Students honor board with gifts

In recognition of Board of Education Appreciation Week, students from the three elementary schools in District 24 gathered at the Oct. 21 board meeting to thank the board for all it has done for them.

Dr. Edward Fale, superintendent of District 24, said the board exemplifies the meaning of public service, and that the decisions they make, though some times may be unpopular, are made in the students’ best interest. “They really care about the kids,” Fale said of the board. “In the 11 years I’ve been here, it’s been a privilege to serve with so many long-standing members. There is very little turnover on this board, and that is a sign of an effective board of education.”

Dr. Scott Comis, principal of Brooklyn Avenue Elementary, had the sixth-grade student council read a poem to the board, thanking the board for its efforts. They also designed a quilt for the board that featured all the amenities and technology the children use and have access to.

Students from Robert W. Carbonaro Elementary School also gave the board gifts, as well as a tree-shaped collage made out of felt, thanking the board for being proactive in their education. The theme of the collage was “a TREE-mendous thank you!”

Mark Onorato, principal of William L. Buck Elementary School, had his students create super hero posters for each of the board members, saying that each member was a super hero in his or her own right. “Thank you for all the help you do everyday,” Onorato told the board. “Without your hard work and energy, we would not have the programs that make our district unique. You are all our super heroes.”

Students from Buck prepared a PowerPoint presentation, underscoring the Top 10 reasons why someone would want to be on the District 24 school board. Some of the reasons included, being able to talk into a microphone, getting their own parking spaces, having their picture in the school calendar, and spending quality time with Dr. Fale.