Louis Panzica bids farewell to Parkway

The kids at Parkway Elementary School always looked forward to seeing what their principal, Louis Panzica, was wearing that day.
   
That is because Panzica has a wardrobe of ties that usually matched the theme of the day. As an expression of appreciation, members of Panzica’s staff crafted an artistic display of the principal’s best ties from over the years.
 
Panzica is retiring after 40 years in the East Meadow School District and more than 42 years overall in education.      

“It feels like I have the mind of a 20-year-old, but not the body,” Panzica said. “But the kids keep you young.”

After working as a music teacher in Syosset for more than two years, Panzica crossed paths with East Meadow’s music director Bill Katz. Even in 1970, East Meadow had a wide-ranging reputation for quality music programs.
   
Panzica began in East Meadow in 1970 as a band director for the former McCleary Junior High School. He later taught in Meadowbrook, and worked there for nearly two decades until he became assistant principal at Bowling Green in 1992. He stayed there until he was hired to become Parkway’s principal in 2001.
   
Panzica, a drummer himself, ran the bands at Meadowbrook and McCleary until his days in administration.
   
Like Meyerowitz, Panzica was also faced with 9/11 only a few days into his new job. That day began with a loose pitbull in the neighborhood, requiring the help of authorities to capture the dog. “I thought that was going to be the worst thing that day,” he said.
   
At Parkway, Panzica said there was always strong team effort between staff, students and parents.
   
“The biggest thing with Parkway is the attitude the parents have for education and the support we get from them,” he said. “They know the importance of education.”
   
During his retirement, Panzica plans to play his drums more with a blues band. He also will spend more time with his family at their summer home.

Panzica lives with his wife, Stephanie, in Dix Hills. They have two grown children, Brian and Pamela.
   
He was treated to several retirement parties, including a surprise bash thrown by the Parkway staff and another celebration hosted by his former school at Bowling Green.
   
His final week with the students and his staff was capped off with his last graduation ceremony. Panzica was emotional afterwards, as students provided some nice words during the ceremony.
   
“One thing that was always the case,” Panzica said. “I always put the kids first.” I always treated them like they were my own.”