On June 4, Malverne’s Maurice W. Downing Primary School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its brand-new K-2 STEM Lab. The space is designed to spark curiosity, creativity and a passion for discovery in Malverne’s youngest students.
District administrators, board members, dedicated educators and community leaders all attended the ceremony. Director of School Counseling Rebecca Gottesman opened the event by welcoming attendees and expressing deep gratitude to district leadership and the board of education for their unwavering commitment to academic engagement, innovation and excellence across all grade levels from UPK through grade 12.
The project was made possible in large part by a $2,000 grant from the Alumni Education Foundation for Malverne. Established by a group of Malverne graduates, the AEFM seeks to promote excellence in the Malverne schools by funding innovative programs, curricular initiatives and scholarships. Several alumni attended the ceremony, including LaTaya Carter (Class of ’01), who has two daughters currently enrolled in the district.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maria Rianna reflected on the connection Malverne graduates maintain with their schools, noting that while alumni have pulled forward across the globe, their hearts remain tied to this community.
Dr. Rianna expressed her gratitude for the partnership, noting that the world is always changing and the district must continue to provide for students in new, impactful ways.
The ceremony also featured special recognition for kindergarten teacher Laura Forsyth and her students, who planned and showcased simulated activities using the new equipment. The event served as a celebration of Ms. Forsyth’s upcoming retirement after years of dedicated service to Malverne students. District STEM Supervisor Dr. Debbie Langone was also commended for their vital partnership in bringing the vision of the lab to life.
