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A Few Clouds Hewlett Elementary School honors the Provenzanos
To honor the memory of Nicholas and Joanne Provenzano, two longtime Hewlett Elementary School employees, the school on Broadway held a tree dedication ceremony last week.
Nicholas, nicknamed “Nicky” by former co-workers, worked as a custodian for nearly 40 years, from 1957 to 1996. He died in 1996, on his way to work.
Joanne had several jobs at the elementary school from 1976 to 2003. After retiring, she stayed connected with her friends from the district. She died last year.
The district planted two trees and installed two dedication plaques — one for Nicholas and one for Joanne — in the school’s courtyard to honor the couple, “who dedicated their time and their service to the students and faculty of Hewlett Elementary School,” Principal Dr. Colleen O’Hara said at the May 26 ceremony.
“These beautiful trees here today will serve as a reminder of Joanne and Nicholas Provenzano, and they will help friends come together today and in the future. ”
Dr. Mildred David, who was the school’s principal from 1972 to 2002, named the memorial the Provenzano Planting Project. David worked with Nicholas Provenzano for 33 years, and with Joanne for 26.
In her speech, David recalled Nicholas carrying hurt children to the nurse’s office and digging through the trash with students for accidentally tossed retainers.
She described him as “approachable,” always having a smile on his face, and, she added, “When you needed a helping hand, you knew that you could count on Nicky.”
Joanne “had three jobs at Hewlett Elementary,” David said. First, she was a “peacemaker” on the playground, then she assisted in the library, and her final job was at the front desk. “When there was a problem,” David said, “you could count on Joanne.”
Joanne used her passion for organization to remember many birthdays, and to beautify the Woodmere Education Center.
The students paid respect to the Provenzanos by singing songs in between the remarks. David quoted from “The Giving Tree,” a children’s book by Shel Silverstein, which considers the nature of altruism.
“As you grow and as you learn and as you experience life, be like the Giving Tree,” she said. “Be like the Provenzano Planting Project — give to others, because the reward to you is even greater.”
Former HES Principal Sandy Pensak came to the school in 1999, and worked with Joanne Provenzano for three years.
Pensak read “A Friend’s Greeting,” by Edgar Guest, who appreciates a good friend and wants to reflect those good friendship traits in his other relationships.
“I thought about a poem that would better convey the gratitude that we owe to both Nicky, for his years of service, to Joanne, for her years of service,” Pensak said, “and more importantly, for their kindness and their friendship to everyone with whom they worked here at Hewlett Elementary.”
“My mom and Nick dedicated most of their lives to Hewlett-Woodmere School District,” Joanne’s daughter, Doreen Romano said. “They truly loved being part of the Hewlett Elementary family, and everyone they met along the way. To them, it wasn’t just a job — it was their home away from home.”
Nicholas “was the jolliest, most sincere and giving person I’ve ever known,” Romano said. “He was a custodian when I attended school here in the ’70s, became my stepdad in the ’80s, and a Poppy to his two grandsons, Anthony and Frankie, in the ’90s.”
Romano described her mother as “loving, caring, generous, warm, funny, helpful and, of course, organized.” During Joanne’s final days, her daughter said, “That’s all she talked about — her memories here at Hewlett Elementary School. Those were some of the most cherished times of her life.”
Romano added, “These beautiful trees will be here to remind us that happiest are the givers, and helping hands are always appreciated.”
