'We'll never forget you'

Principal Donald Maresca retires after 33 years

      For several years rumors surfaced that Oceanside School # 2 Principal Donald Maresca was to retire, but they were just that - rumors. Now, what was once rumor has become reality and the Oceanside community has rallied round to pay tribute to the man who gave his heart to his hometown.
      "I am very sad you're leaving," Brian Bezalel, a fifth grader at School #2, wrote in a construction paper card to his departing principal. "You were always there for us. Mr. Maresca, you were like the best principal ever and we'll never forget you."
      Students weren't the only ones to praise the educator. Brian's mom chimed in too. "I have a lot to say about Don Maresca," said Rina Bezalel. "At the time my daughter Stephanie went to School #2, I had heard bad things about the school, but when she got there I found it to be a warm and caring place and I believe Mr. Maresca set that tone," she said. "My kids talk to him and that is what makes a difference in a child."
      The illustrious 33-year career of Donald Maresca began as the the assistant principal of the Fulton Avenue School #8 Elementary School where he stayed for six years, working under the guidance of Principal Mary Bombara. Ms. Bombara saw natural ability in her colleague, then the youngest administrator on Long Island. "I knew he'd be terrific in Oceanside," said Ms. Bombara. "He was a very honest person, forthright and had an analytical mind," she added. Introducing sports programs to the school and helping students get along by speaking with them daily showed his priority was simple, she said, he loved the kids.
      Mr. Maresca felt his time at school eight helped him to hone his job as an administrator under Ms. Bombara, who he called his mentor. "It was a wonderful experience working at School # 8," he said. "My time there will always be a fond and special memory."
      While at the sixth grade center, School #1, Don Maresca instituted a family life pilot program and mainstreamed special education students when possible, but his most well known accomplishment is the famous end-of-the-year slide show, featuring the life and times of the sixth graders.       
      "His sixth grade classes were special to him," said current School #2 parent and past PTA president, Aileen Rosenbaum. "The end of the year slide showed everything about the graduating class from their baby pictures, through all the grade levels, right up to graduation. It brought tears to everyone's eyes. Every year, people look forward to that slide show," she added.
      When School #1 closed down and the sixth grade center moved to the top floor of the Merle Avenue Junior High School, Mr. Maresca had to quell fears parents voiced concerning their 11 and 12 year olds being housed with the junior high school students in grades 7-9. "I could only say he did an outstanding job as principal," said Dr. William Tucker. "I would say his biggest contribution was his understandable concern moving kids from the elementary level to secondary. He was able to structure things in such a way that he came up with a different schedule for the sixth graders and the junior high school students," he added. "Don Maresca made a real contribution to the Oceanside School District and he will be a loss to the community. I wish him well."
      Before long, Mr. Maresca became the principal of the junior high school and established his famous lesson of "Respect and Responsibility," which laid on the line a student's job to behave in school and take responsibility for their actions. It was a policy he lived by and he brought it to School #2 where on the first day of school, he spoke to each and every grade about it's meaning.
      As principal of the junior high school, he put his tireless energy to work, and came up with the idea of having study hall periods available as a time for students to learn about hobbies and jobs. "I asked the teachers if they had a special hobby or they knew of someone to volunteer their time in any area which might interest the students," he said. "I'd pull kids out of study hall and offered them the chance to be a part of learning about a profession or hobby and the kids loved it," said Mr. Maresca.
      Geoffrey Fennimore, an English teacher at the junior high school worked closely with Mr. Maresca to build the Oceanside Junior High School Memorial Botanical Garden, which graces the Merle Avenue building still today. "We put our heads together and with his help and drive we started the botanical garden as a memorial to the closing of the junior high school," said Mr. Fennimore, who called his former administrator "the best he's ever seen."
      Mr. Fennimore said staff morale soared during the time Mr. Maresca was at the helm and the Federation of Teachers presented him with a plaque. "Don Maresca is one in a million. He's fearless. If anyone came up with an idea, he'd immediately say let's do it," he said. "He's innovative and tireless and most importantly, he loves the kids...When I heard he was retiring, I got a pang in my heart."
      Mr. Maresca saw the closing of the sixth grade center at School #6E in June 1981 and the move from the junior high school in June of 1984 to the School #9M building where it would become a home for seventh and eight graders. He was named the associate principal of the high school, helping ninth graders make a smooth transition into the new arena. He was also instrumental in bringing Human Relations Day there, after observing the program in the Lynbrook High School.
      In the summer of 1985, Mr. Maresca would begin a 15-year career as principal of the Florence A. Smith Elementary School #2. His accolades are many. He initiated the following programs: Annual Intergenerational Forum and Choral Happening conducted with the Oceanside Senior Center; Annual Long Island Science Series with teacher Ned Black; and the COALS Program. The two programs, which impacted students the most, were the AIDS Discussion Seminar and the Annual Sixth Grade Conference Day,, which began at the school and expanded into a cooperative effort between School #2 and Hofstra University. It is here he made his home and it is here he will be sorely missed.
      Retired teacher Lee Rabener worked under Mr. Maresca at School #1, School # 6E and School #2. "The most unique thing about him as an educator is the fact that his top priority has always been the children," she said. "I can remember him going outside on the field in junior high school when there were some disciple problems and he'd look at the kids and say, 'you've got better things to do, so let's play ball,'" she said. "The kids never thought he'd play and when he did, they were amazed...I hope his future years are as productive as were his school years because he's given so much to other people's lives that I hope others will add to his life."      
      Carol Krucher is starting her 13th year as a second grade teacher at School #2. "I have to say he's been a wonderful principal, supportive of the teachers and great with the children because he's always there for them to speak to and I believe parents felt the same way," she said. "He involved the senior citizens in the community and invited them to sing with our School #2 chorus and made them part of School #2. I am so sorry he's retiring, but happy for him to be able to do the things he wants to do."
      So why is this outstanding administrator throwing in the towel and calling it quits. "It's time," he said. When asked what words of advice he could offer incoming principal Thomas Capone, he said, "Just be yourself. Be upfront, honest and care about each and every child and help them to develop into a total human being."