Good times celebrates year's end at Carbonaro

Where can you smell hickory flavors, feel warm sunshine, and sit in the grass? On June 16, it was at a barbecue at the Robert W. Carbonaro School as students, parents and administrators enjoyed a day of food, family and fun.

With temperatures hitting the 90s, it was a perfect day to bask and frolic outdoors. Students ran, jumped and skipped around the school’s back field and blacktop, whispering, talking and even yelling to friends. The aromas of burgers and hot dogs filled the air, and school spirit was alive.

Just ask Carbonaro sixth-grader Brandon Hawkins. “It’s lots of fun,” he said. “They are going to have bouncy stuff.”

It was clear that although summer was still on its way, there were memories still left to be made, and plenty of laughs. A rambunctious group of the school’s student council officers greeted fellow students with smiles, capturing the jovial emotion of the day. Each officer wore a blue shirt with yellow writing stating their council title on the back. It was a statement of pride and accomplishment, but with a lighthearted spirit.

Sixth-grader Alyssa Pellicane, the student council president, was very happy. “They have everything like obstacle courses, Spongebob bounces and face painting,” she said.

And sixth-grader Sophie Renois, was very thankful to the PTA, and to the student council and teachers for the food and fun activities.

Droves of students stood on line for everything from cheese doodles to Italian ices, and then cooled off or caught some shade with friends. Parents served up the tasty treats, volunteering their time.

“This event is amazing, and it happens every year whether rain or shine,” said parent Rosa Arrigo, who also has a child at Valley Stream South High School. “The community is very family-oriented. I look forward to the event.”

Parent Marci Fiore, who also volunteered, said that parents are very involved in the school, and that this year’s turnout demonstrated that. There were more than 100 members of the school community there. Excitement ran very high, and so did the students who jumped in the bouncy houses. There were also a supervised double slide inflatable, and an obstacle course for students’ enjoyment.

Lisa Pellicane, PTA president and newly-elected District 24 Board of Education member, summed it all up. “It’s just an all kids can have fun day,” she said.