Washington Street School was filled with pride, joy and recognition on June 11, as the Franklin Square Union Free School District celebrated the achievements of students and staff during the board of education meeting.

“This evening is one of the most meaningful moments in our school year,” Superintendent Dr. Jared Bloom said. “A time when we pause to celebrate the people who make Franklin Square so special.”

The recognitions began with celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of the district’s sixth grade robotics team, who recently competed at the STEP Statewide Robotics Competition. The 25 students displayed collaboration, creativity and perseverance, meeting twice weekly afterschool for seven months to prepare for the competition. This year, the Franklin Square team took home three awards. The Faraday Vikings won Third Place Overall, the Optimistic Einsteins won Best Presentation and Engineer’s Notebook and Daring Darwins won Most Spirit Award.

Attention turned to thanking this year’s retirees, who together have a combined 79 years of service to the district. Congratulations to Leandra Adames, bus driver; Nunziata Guadagnino, school monitor at Polk Street School; Joanne Maria Iacono, teacher aide at John Street School; Joseph Malone, custodian at Washington Street School; Catherine Mione, secretary to the superintendent; Tina Orlando, teacher aide at John Street School; and Maureen Schepis, bus monitor.

“These individuals have supported our students, our schools and our community with unwavering commitment and Franklin Square pride,” Dr. Bloom said. “Though their goals have varied, their impact has been lasting and meaningful.”

From honoring those closing out their careers to those beginning an exciting new chapter, Dr. Bloom recognized 15 tenure recipients. These teachers have completed multiple years of teaching service, been formally evaluated numerous times, and fulfilled continuing teacher and leader education requirements. Each tenure recipient was introduced by their respective building principals, who shared kind words and well wishes. Congratulations to: Rosie Carino, Maryam Chaudry, Benita Choi, Cristina Cluen, Lisa DiNardo, Sabrina Ferrigno, Christina Luca, Steven Malinowski, Jessica McAllister, Jaclyn Messados, Jason O'Connor, Christina Restivo, Michaela Roller, Emily Rose and Lauren Sink.

Date Added: 6/13/2025

The district’s robotics team, which is comprised of 25 sixth graders from all three buildings, competed at the STEP Statewide Robotics Competition at Adelphi University on May 30. 

To prepare for the competition, the robotics team members met twice weekly after school for seven months to create and program their robots using SPIKE Prime Lego kits. Separated into five smaller groups, the teams also prepared a 10-minute presentation and completed their Engineer’s Notebooks with information on their design and building process. The students were led by advisers Julia Caiazzo, Matt Dornemann, Karen Perlak and Maggie Tittler. 

At the event, each team competed in a field challenge by selecting three contract cards and using their robot to complete the assigned tasks, such as collecting orbs, stacking crates and capturing cubes. Teams earned points for each task successfully completed.

This year, Franklin Square was proud to have three teams win awards. The Faraday Vikings won Third Place Overall, the Optimistic Einsteins won Best Presentation and Engineer’s Notebook and Daring Darwins won Most Spirit Award.

Click here to view the Robotics Team Competes at the STEP Statewide Robotics Competition slideshow.

Date Added: 6/13/2025

Our third grade classes recently celebrated Idiom Day with a fun dress-up activity!

Click here to view the Idiom Day slideshow.

Date Added: 5/27/2025

First graders at Washington Street School enjoyed a visit from New York State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, who read aloud “Duck for President.”

Date Added: 5/23/2025

The district has been recognized for its high commitment to music education with a Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation. This designation recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. This is the third consecutive year that the district has earned this honor.

Franklin Square was selected among 935 school districts nationwide after completing a rigorous application and review process, which included verified data on funding, instruction time, participation and community engagement.

Date Added: 5/14/2025