Bellew Elementary School Celebrates New Auditorium

WEST ISLIP, NY - From West Islip School District: For the grand opening of a new auditorium, West Islip’s Paul J. Bellew Elementary School recently held a celebration that included a ribbon-cutting ceremony as well as performances by Bellew’s chorus, orchestra and band.

With the support of West Islip’s school community, work on the new auditorium was part of the district’s 2015 capital project bond referendum. It was coordinated by James Bosse, director of buildings and grounds.

Billy DeWitt, a fourth-grader in Bellew’s Leadership Club, wrote an expression of thanks — complimenting the auditorium’s new "velvet-like seats, architecture and shiny walls” – and presented it on stage to Superintendent Bernadette Burns, Board of Education President Steve Gellar and Vice President Annmarie LaRosa and the entire student body. At the ceremony’s conclusion, students brought out handmade letter signs spelling out “Thank You.”

“We are very fortunate to be a part of a school district that recognizes the importance of providing students with top-notch facilities,” said Principal Rhonda Pratt.

Photo courtesy of the West Islip School District