Ice Skating Before School For Cold Spring Harbor Students A 'Unique Tradition'

COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY — Lloyd Harbor Elementary School students participated in their "unique tradition" of ice skating before their school day, the Cold Spring Harbor School District shared.

"It could be that Lloyd Harbor Elementary School is the only elementary school that hosts a before-school intramural ice skating program," the district wrote.

Teacher Kevin O'Rourke supervises the program, waking up early twice a week for 24 years to meet the students at the Huntington Country Winter Club. For more than 20 years, teachers Patricia Morrison and Kristen Sewell have also been waking up early to join the students at the ice rink.

"People are always amazed to hear that we do this and no one seems to know another district that does it," O’Rourke said in a news release. "It’s a cold start to the day, but it wakes you up and we all feel energized to hop on the bus back to school to begin our day. I used to skate with the students, but now I monitor from the side and watch kids getting great exercise, socializing, bonding and having a chance to display a different skill."

The Huntington Country Winter Club graciously welcomes the early morning skaters, according to the school district. The students supply their own skates and helmets and skate twice a week during a seven-week intramural session. Fifth graders skate on Mondays and sixth graders skate on Thursdays.

O’Rourke has been teaching for 26 years, 25 of which were at Lloyd Harbor for both grades 5-6. This year, he teaches math academic intervention services at West Side Elementary School and Goosehill Primary School.