Hearts were bursting with red, white, and blue pride as Woodward Parkway Elementary School launched a new tradition by hosting its first school-wide Veterans Day Celebration. On Friday, November 7, 2025, the entire school welcomed dozens of local veterans and their families for a day of hugs, handshakes, and thanks! To ensure every student had a chance to share their gratitude, Woodward Parkway held three assemblies throughout the morning.

This celebration was a collaborative effort across all school departments. Students created a vibrant display of paintings featuring American landscapes during art class, serving as a beautiful artistic tribute to the nation the veterans defended. During the assemblies, students sang patriotic songs, led by the Music teachers, as a thank you to the visiting heroes. Every class participated in educational activities, where students learned about the meaning of Veterans Day and the importance of patriotism through reading and discussions. Outside the building, the local Boy Scout Troop contributed by creating a Field of Honor, a display of flags that welcomed everyone arriving at the school.

Similarly, students at Alabany Avenue hosted a touching ceremony and engaged in community service to honor those who served.

The Veterans Day Assembly at Albany Avenue featured the presentation of the colors by Veterans from the Marine Corps League Sunrise Detachment. We were proud to welcome a veteran parent and member of the Detachment, who spoke to students about the significance of Veterans Day and the importance of our flag. The assembly also included a performance by our school chorus and a slideshow honoring school veterans. In a wonderful demonstration of support, the school organized a food drive for the Veterans Food Pantry in East Meadow. The visiting veterans graciously accepted all the donated items, which were then delivered directly to the food pantry.

Beyond the featured assemblies, the importance of Veterans Day was a focal point across schools in the district. Many teachers engaged students in classroom activities designed to teach them about the history of the holiday, the role of the U.S. military, and the concept of civic duty. Additionally, the meaning of Veterans Day and a message of gratitude were shared with students daily via morning announcements, ensuring a unified and consistent expression of respect throughout the district.

Albany Avenue is proud to announce that, for the second year in a row, it has earned distinguished recognition in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Elementary Schools rankings!

"Earning this recognition for the second consecutive year reflects the dedication and hard work of our exceptional teachers, aides, and entire staff,” shared Albany Avenue Principal Joe Valentine. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to our PTA and parents for their unwavering support and congratulate our amazing students for their achievements.”

This sustained performance reflects the deep commitment of our entire school community. We anticipate upholding our tradition of excellence and are committed to nurturing the next generation of learners with the same DalerPride that has earned us this well-deserved accolade.

The third-grade students in Mrs. Jimenez and Mrs. DiSanto's class at Albany Avenue wrapped up their Social Studies unit with a fantastic research project. Students collaborated in groups to research a region, exploring its climate, economy (including natural resources), animals, and landforms. Then they showcase their findings through detailed Google Slides presentations set up around the room. As they toured the various exhibits, students stopped to recognize their peers' efforts by leaving positive Post-it note compliments on each desk.

Young readers at Albany Avenue are taking their first big step during literacy centers! Mrs. Genovese's first graders are busy starting to identify letter sounds, exploring digraphs (such as sh, ch, and th), figuring out sentence order, practicing trick words, and beginning to build their independence as readers. We are so proud of the focus they bring to every activity.

Miss Leon’s first graders at Albany Avenue got to pick out their very own pumpkin, which was the perfect size for little hands. Seeing their excitement and big smiles while searching for the perfect one was so sweet! They immediately got to work, decorating their pumpkins, with adorable inspiration from the book, "It's Pumpkin Day, Mouse."