Meet the class of 2028

Kindergartners at Bowling Green Elementary School were front and center at a ceremony last week hosted by the East Meadow School District to celebrate its new full-day kindergarten program.

Tim Baker/Herald

Bowling Green art teacher Danielle Minuto designed this banner for the festivities last week.

Tim Baker/Herald

“Kindergarten is special because we make new friends,” said kindergartner Ethan Rodriguez.

Tim Baker/Herald

Bowling Green's Select Band members played the recessional song at the end of the ceremony, conducted by teacher Gary Henderson.

Tim Baker/Herald

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“Special” was the operative word on Sept. 17 in the East Meadow School District, which held two celebrations to mark the beginning of its long-awaited full-day kindergarten program.

During the day’s early festivities, on the front lawn of Bowling Green Elementary School, five students in the program shared their favorite things about kindergarten. “Kindergarten is special because we make new friends,” Ethan Rodriguez told the large crowd of teachers, administrators, parents and local elected officials.

“Kindergarten is special because we learn how to read,” followed Gia Tamayo. After each statement, the rest of the Bowling Green kindergartners, adorned in colorful crowns, chanted “Full-day kindergarten!”

The ceremony, hosted by Bowling Green Principal Maria Ciarametaro, the district’s longest-tenured elementary school principal, featured remarks by school officials, songs by the kindergartners — including one called “I Am Special” — and performances by members of the school’s band and orchestra.

The atmosphere on the Stewart Avenue school grounds was charged with excitement. In May, East Meadow district residents approved a spending plan that included an expansion of the district’s half-day kindergarten program. Until then, East Meadow was one of six districts on Long Island — and one of only two in Nassau County — lacking a full-day program.

District administrators spent the summer developing the program, which includes a unique partnership with the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post: Kindergartners will see three children’s performances this school year at the Brookville campus.

“Our children will benefit from this one-of-a-kind educational experience,” said Board of Education President Joseph Parisi. “The graduating class of 2028 — yes, 2028 — will be enriched in immeasurable ways.”

Board Trustee Joseph Danenza, who wore what looked like a permanent grin, said he had advocated for full-day expansion since his election. “After five years on the board,” he said, “I feel like this was the culmination.”