Massapequa Goes Back to School

Massapequa students bid a fond farewell to summer, picked up their book bags and got on that familiar yellow school bus Tuesday morning.

It was the first day of school in the district, which had students filled with anticipation and parents rushing to get their loved ones off on time.

"I'm excited," said Kyle Raymond as he approached Lockhart Elementary School. "Because I get to be in first grade."

Kyle's dad Oliver said he's pleased to see the day arrive arrive too. "This is such a well-run school," he said. "Kyle loves his friends, loves the experience, and he's in a rush to get started."

"This one's a seasoned veteran," said  David  Caroll of his fourth grader daughter as they approached the school. "And David, who's starting first grade, is already connecting with his friends."

Gina Francis was pulling her children Thomas and Antoinette to school in a little plastic red wagon. She seemed relieved about the end of summer. "I feel great, it's terrific!" she laughed. "I finally get some time to myself!" 

But Megan Wiseley was a tad choked up at the prospect of her daughter Talia starting third grade. "It's a little emotional," she said. "But I'm excited at the same time."

"I  feel good about starting school," said  new third grader James Kelly, who was willing to list his favorite subjects. " I like recess, I like art, and I like lunch!" he said.

"It seems like the summer went past very, very quickly," James' father Ray Kelly said. "He's excited about his new teacher, having his friends in his class, and all the new things he's going to learn this year." 

It's also the start of a new era in Lockhart, as  principal Stephen Scarallo has taken the reigns at the school. 

"I used to be an elementary principal, so it's like I'm coming back to my roots," he said. "The strength in this community really is the parents and the students, and they've traditionally been supporters of what we do. It may sound cliché, but it's a partnership where we work with them and they work with us. The basis of that is trust and communication." 

Scarallo is replacing Lori Dano, becoming Lockheart's fifth principal in the last twelve years. Several parents were upset  when the change was announced.

"It's just that parents are always sad to see their principal leave," Scarallo said. "It's not that they're apprehensive about me." 

A number of parents  agreed saying  they're willing to give Scarallo a chance.

"I don't know this new principal, so I really can't say anything against him. However, I really loved Lori Dano," said Lockhart parent Liz Hecht, as she dropped off her child.

As the school district gears up for another year, Massapequa School superintendent Charles Sulc says there's much to be proud of.

"We are an outstanding school district," he said after a Board of Education meeting last week.

"We've shown tremendous growth in performance in all areas including academics, extra curricular activities, athletics and community service."

The superintendent added that there are "many challenges ahead" for the district, which will be laid out when the board meets later this month to set goals for the upcoming year.

In the meantime,  the energy level is high.

"I love it, I love it," said Josephine Stainkamp, a Special Education provider. "I love my students and being back with them, and getting back to the routine."