Do you know the history of the American flag? Students from Barnum Woods Elementary School in East Meadow do — check out how they celebrated Flay Day.

June for Barnum Woods Elementary School means students and staff don their red, white, and blue and take time to learn about the American flag for Flag Day.
Celebrated every year on June 14, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the United States flag. Barnum holds an annual celebration, which Principal Gregory Bottari believes to be one of the best ceremonies held across Long Island for the flag.
Parents were invited to attend, and the school’s band played a few songs. Students were seen displaying various forms of flag pride by holding small American flags, wearing paper crowns of the flag, and even dressed in the flag’s colors. United States Navy Officers served as the school’s color guard and lead the community in the Pledge of Allegiance
“As a school, it is important for us to celebrate Flag Day and to educate our students about the history and significance of our flag,” East Meadow School District Superintendent Kenneth Card said. “This day reminds us of the sacrifices of the brave men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, for our country’s freedom and values that our flag represents.”
Card encouraged students to continue to honor the American flag and work towards a better future for generations to come.

Flag Day has been a big deal at Barnum for many years, and Card has been in attendance for every single one, according to Bottari. With Card retiring this school year, it was a bittersweet celebration.
When Bottari spoke to the crowd, he mentioned the retirement of teacher Marissa D’Amico, and school nurse Daryle Abeshouse.
Abeshouse has been a special part of the annual celebration. Each year following the ceremony, students walk together as part of “Walk in the Woods,” the school’s annual health walk, started in 2013 by fifth-grade teacher Gene Vassel and Abeshouse. The beloved tradition consists of a double loop, roughly a mile, around the school.
Alisa Baroukh, the president of the board of education and former Barnum student, shared fun facts about the flag with the audience. According to Baroukh, when you raise a flag on a flag poll it needs to be done quickly and raised down slowly. She also shared with the crowd that there are six American flags located on the moon.
“Barnum Woods is a really special place and I am so thankful to have been here for as long as I was,” Baroukh said. “I know that I am thankful for the flag and being able to live in the United States.”
Last year’s celebration was the first one after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The school had a special brick and bench dedication ceremony in their courtyard. The bricks and benches were engraved and donated by community members. The idea was made by the Barnum Woods Planning Management Team back in 2019, but due to the pandemic, the group had to delay its plans until last year.
Some benches were dedicated to deceased alum, or those who died as a result of Covid-19. Other benches held welcoming and warm messages.
Staff members Ellen DiCocco and Anna Cangelosi, cousins known around Barnum as the “dynamic duo,” were the last speakers before the walk.
“The celebration of Flag Day keeps the patriotic spirit in all of us alive,” DiCocco said. “A sense of unity and pride is observed as the U.S. flags are seen flying on porches of houses, inside and outside of schools, buildings, and sporting arenas all over the nation.”
Afterwards, students excitedly jumped up to participate in the walk. Youngsters waved to parade-goers as the celebration came to a close.
“As John F. Kennedy once said, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country,’” Card said in his speech. “Let us all thrive to make our community and our country a better place by serving others and contributing to the common good.”

Check out how Barnum Woods celebrated last year.