Uniondale Union Free School District

The New York State School Boards Association awarded Northern Parkway Elementary School with their Champion of Change award for their Blacks in Wax Museum exhibit. The school was presented with a banner by NYSSBA Area 11 director, B.A. Schoen.

As Uniondale Union Free School District’s Grand Avenue Elementary School closes out a successful school year, kindergarten and first grade scholars were recently treated to a visit by the Animals Party Presentation company.

Uniondale Union Free School District’s Northern Parkway Elementary School recently held a cardboard carnival. Fifth-grade scholars were tasked with using their imagination and cardboard to assemble games found at a carnival such as mini golf, bean bag toss, prize wheels, claw machines and more.

Uniondale High School recently held a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) fair for community members to attend. Numerous hands-on stations were present, including DIY tie-dye t-shirts, which were available for purchase, DIY bath bombs, DIY stress balls and more. There was an interactive live animal exhibit, blood pressure monitoring conducted by pre-nursing scholars, liquid nitrogen ice cream, circuit building and robotics demonstrations, and more.

Uniondale Union Free School District’s Smith Street School scholars and staff recently held a memorial service for the victims of the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Each scholar designed a yellow rose of solidarity that was placed in a display case honoring the victims of the shooting.

Minda Harts, best-selling and award-winning author of The Memo, TEDx speaker, host of the Secure the Seat podcast, and CEO of The Memo LLC, recently spoke at Uniondale High School. Harts discussed her new book, You Are More than Magic: The Black and Brown Girls’ Guide to Finding Your Voice, which focuses on using the tools you hold to find your route to success at school, work, home and beyond. Afterward, Harts participated in a Question-and-Answer session and was interviewed by a Uniondale High School journalism scholar.

Uniondale High School 12th grade scholar Kimberly Argueta Rodriguez’s artwork was recently featured at the Heckscher Museum of Art. The digital photograph, titled Flor Silvestre, was featured in the annual Long Island’s Best: Young Artists exhibit featuring artwork from scholars across Long Island. This year, 399 works of art were submitted from 55 high schools, with 79 pieces being selected for the exhibit.

Uniondale High School’s Girls Basketball coaching staff recently hosted a Girls Basketball Jamboree. Head Coach Nolan Dunkley, Assistant Coach Phil Williams and Junior Varsity Coach Nelson Umana hosted the three-hour basketball clinic for all girls in second through ninth grades in the Uniondale Union Free School District. Young athletes from every elementary and middle school in the District attended the event.

The Uniondale School District’s first annual Grades 3-8 Mathlete Tournament kicked off on Monday May 3, 2022 with each school’s top team vying for a place in history as the winner of the Uniondale School District’s first ever Grades 3-8 Mathlete Championship trophy. This tournament will epitomize team spirit, academic acumen, dedication, passion and the pursuit of excellence. We will be hosting the semifinal and final matches at Uniondale High School in the Mary E. Powell Auditorium on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 and on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 pm.

The Uniondale UFSD held its fourth annual elementary debate tournament at Uniondale HS on May 23, 2022. The event was hosted by the district's partner, The American Debate League and was sponsored by NYS Assembly Member Taylor Darling. Debate teams from the five elementary schools competed in two preliminary rounds to determine which two schools would compete for the championship. The debate topic of the evening were the pros and cons of social media usage by students. The awards ceremony included recognition of the top 10 speakers, and the top teams and schools. The championship round between California Avenue School and Grand Avenue School took place on stage in the UHS auditorium. The championship round was won by Grand Avenue School.

Uniondale Union Free School District’s Grand Avenue School recently celebrated Earth Day with a week filled with fun themes and activities. Each day, a new Earth Day-related theme was followed, such as “Turn Out the Lights Tuesday,” where scholars and staff wore bright colors and shades to light up the building without electricity. Each morning would begin with instructing Grand Avenue scholars on habits to conserve, protect and care for the environment to preserve our planet.

Congratulations to California Avenue School for being recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2021-2024 for continuous innovation in learning, teaching, and the school environment.

Uniondale Union Free School District’s Smith Street School recently held its second annual Spring Hootenanny. Titled “A Gathering with Special Musical Performances,” the band, orchestra and chorus scholars performed outside in Smith Street School’s circular driveway. The event was open to families and friends of the performing scholars. The scholar-musicians performed from 9:15 am to 10:30 am.

Uniondale Union Free School District’s environmental club recently held a tree planting event, part of the club’s sustainability initiative to offset the carbon footprint of Uniondale High School by planting trees around the school’s campus and community. Saplings were available for purchase by the public for $5. There was also the option to donate directly to the club to go towards their future events. Planted trees included Red Maple, Eastern Redbud and Crab Apple.

Uniondale celebrated our first Hispanic Heritage Month Festival and Soccer Jamboree on Saturday, September 25th at Uniondale High School. Thank you to all of the soccer coaches, teachers, administrators and student volunteers who made this event a huge success. Special thanks goes to the Varsity Girls Soccer Team, Key Club, Latinos Unidos and community organizations such as the Uniondale Public Library, Book Fairies, Latina Moms Connect, Long Island Latino Teachers Association, Nassau County Office of Hispanic Affairs, the PTA and the Kiwanis Club. TOGETHER WE RISE!!! Please click read more to view the photos.

Uniondale Union Free School District’s Northern Parkway School has been named an I-Ready Super School for its students’, teachers’ and administrators’ hard work during the March Madness I-Ready Challenge. Curriculum Associates recognized Northern Parkway as one of the top three schools on Long Island to compete in the academic online challenge. Over the course of five weeks, Northern Parkway scholars put their reading and math skills to the test, competing against other classes in their school and ultimately becoming one of the top three most engaged schools on Long Island.

Uniondale Union Free School District’s Turtle Hook Middle School scholars recently participated in the Junior Achievement virtual career event. Junior Achievement Inspire is a platform created for middle school scholars to master the three pillars of scholar success—financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness.

Uniondale Union Free School District’s Turtle Hook Middle School scholars recently participated in a live virtual conference with Ghanaian chefs via Zoom. The multicultural video conference allowed scholars to learn about global foods, specifically examining African cooking. Scholars learned how to prepare two popular African dishes and had the opportunity to speak with the chefs in an interactive question and answer period.

Uniondale Union Free School District’s Northern Parkway scholars recently took a trip to Hofstra University and had the experience of a lifetime practicing their basketball skills with Hofstra’s basketball players and coaching staff.

Uniondale Union Free School District has officially announced its top scholars for the class of 2022—William Ayala, Valedictorian, and Emily Kalika, Salutatorian.

Long Island’s First Regional My Brother’s Keeper Symposium Held at Uniondale High School. “The Gathering” United Young Black and Brown Scholars Across Long Island to Celebrate Brotherhood. Long Island’s first Regional My Brother’s Keeper Symposium was held Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Uniondale High School. More than 250 students from Uniondale, Roosevelt, Elmont, Sewanhaka and Brentwood attended.

The Uniondale Board of Education has adopted the proposed 2022-2023 school district budget that will be put before voters on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. The Board, in collaboration with the District’s central administration, has developed a proposed budget that paves the way for academic advancement across the District while minimizing the tax impact. Starting in January, the District began presenting the proposed 2022-2023 budget to the community, maintaining complete and total transparency in the budget development process with the community. At a recent Board of Education budget development workshop, the program component of the budget was reviewed. Two previous budget development workshops reviewed the capital and administrative components of the proposed budget.

Surprise! It’s a college shower! Uniondale High student gets a surprise acceptance from Hofstra University. Javier Berrios had no idea that he was going to a surprise college acceptance party when he went for his regular visit to his school’s college and career office on March 17.

Young scholars at Uniondale Union Free School District’s Walnut Street School and Northern Parkway School recently wrapped up their five-week March Madness I-Ready Challenge competitions by announcing their class winners. I-Ready is an interactive online assessment tool that provides individualized instruction in reading and math. Scholars in all classes competed in weekly challenges to advance their classes through the brackets.

Uniondale Students in the Barbering Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Ready to Receive Their License. The Barbering CTE Course, offered by BOCES, allows students hands-on training

Turtle Hook Middle School Shows its Support for Ukraine. Medical Supply Donation Drive Held to Aid Ukraine. Uniondale Union Free School District recently held a medical supply drive for Ukraine at Turtle Hook Middle School. Items collected included band-aids, gauze pads, feminine products, ibuprofen, tubing, medical tape, and more.

Lawrence Road Great Debaters Win Big at the Spring Classic. The Great Debaters Beginners and Novice Blue Divisions Give It Their All. Lawrence Road’s debate team exhibited their strength at the American Debate League’s Spring Classic, held on March 26. Uniondale’s fierce competitors put their knowledge, leadership and public speaking skills to the test.

Turtle Hook Middle School Celebrates Difference On World Autism Day. Puzzle Pieces, Infinity Symbols and Blue Attire Are Just Some of the Ways Turtle Hook Raises Awareness

Uniondale High School Holds Career Fair. Students Start Planning for their Future. Uniondale High School recently held a career fair where the community met with career professionals and learned about vocational, certificate, transitional, and apprenticeship programs. The event was open to students, teachers, staff, families, and all Uniondale residents. The event was sponsored by the New York State My Brother’s Keeper organization.

The Women of the Future Celebrate the Women of the Past and Present at Northern Parkway School’s “Living Wax Museum” The Blacks in Wax Museum Commemorates the “Women Behind the Movement”

Uniondale Superintendent Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil Joined Four Other Long Island Superintendents of Color to Discuss the Challenges Faced by Black Women Ascending to Positions of Authority in Education Administration

This year Uniondale held its 10th Annual Spelling Bee on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Each school hosted a building Bee. The top two building winners are eligible to compete against students from across the nation later in the year. As a district, we bring together the top three competitors from each building in grades 3-8 to participate in a District-wide Bee. Please click Read More for details and photos.

Let's congratulate UHS teacher, Adeola Tella-Williams, for being featured in Newsday for her class' participation in an innovative program called "Bridges" that brings students from Uniondale and Oceanside together for cultural exchange and discussions about equity in Long Island.

Congratulations to Turtle Hook scholar, Zahara Saintyl, for winning 2021 National American Miss New York Pre-Teen!

This year’s pre-kindergarten book is All Are Welcome. On October 15, 2021, all prekindergarten children received a copy of All Are Welcome to take home and add to their personal library. All are Welcome is the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, celebrating diversity and inclusivity.

Uniondale scholars are emerging scientists, inventors and engineers! We are teaching our scholars to think like scientists at the Uniondale Super Science Saturday Academy. Please click Read More for details and photos from previous sessions.

Uniondale School District was recognized at a press conference on October 21, 2021 with County Executive Laura Curran, elected officials and Chancellor Lester Young and Associate Commissioner Dr. Anael Alston from the New York State Department of Education for becoming a My Brother's Keeper Community. Uniondale's inaugural MBK Fellows are seniors, Darien Fray and Brandon Long.

The Uniondale Union Free School District welcomed all students and staff back in-person for the 2021-2022 school year on September 1. Students have been getting to know their new teachers, new administrators in the district, and reunited with their friends and classmates after a difficult 18 months of uncertainty due to the pandemic.

On Saturday, September 25, 2021, in recognition of Latinx Heritage Month, Uniondale School District will be hosting a Soccer Jamboree for students in grades K-12.

Recently, the Uniondale Union Free School District invited the community of Uniondale to meet the new superintendent of schools, Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil. The meet and greet event was both open to the public and livestreamed on social media for all community members to participate in.