Elementary Students Find a Temporary Home at Mattlin

Plainview-Old Bethpage teachers and administrators came together under trying circumstances, finding a way to accommodate an entire elementary school in make-shift classrooms.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, many Plainview school buildings lost power, including Parkway Elementary School. When the district's high school and Mattlin Middle School were restored to power, Parkway students were moved to "classrooms" on Mattlin's campus. 

Teachers and administrators pitched in along with members of the Parkway PTA, who provided a special lunch for the kids.

The efforts meant a regular instructional day for both schools.

"Teachers have embraced change and made the day magical for all kids," said Dr. Lorna Lewis, superintendent of Plainview's schools. "This crisis gave us the opportunity to show the ole POB spirit of collaboration and caring."

Perhaps the most remarkable "classroom" was the board room of the which was converted for use by some of the students.

Upon seeing the photo, longtime Plainview Trustee Evy Rothman quipped "The kids look like they could make better decisions."

Editor's Note: In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy's devastation, Patch wants to write about some of the great things the Plainview community is doing, pulling together against the odds. We have several stories planned this weekend. Send us your ideas and submissions to joe.dowd@patch.com.

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