The Elwood Board of Education kicked off its meeting on Jan. 28 by honoring community members, teachers, staff and students for their “significant contributions” to the community in the age of COVID-19. 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Bossert publicly thanked the district’s food service workers for their commitment to providing healthy meals to families throughout the global pandemic, beginning in March when school buildings closed.

Contributing to that effort was Michael Alfano, owner of Chefs of New York in East Northport. As part of the district’s “Pizza Fridays” initiative, Mr. Alfano donated, on average, 20-30 pies per week, which were delivered to families in need within the Elwood community. 

The Board also recognized Elwood Middle School art teacher Amy Lindenbaum for her efforts in supporting the social emotional needs of Elwood Middle School students, faculty and staff. Ms. Lindenbaum has been instrumental in the implementation and continued success of the school’s “Mindful Moment Mondays” initiative, which seeks to empower viewers to stay positive.

To conclude the commendations portion of the evening, Elwood Middle School Assistant Principal Dawn Valle called upon the student crew members of the Nightly News weekly broadcast. Each week, students showcase exciting schoolwide events, daily announcements, weather forecasts, fun facts and unique surveys.

“These students are very talented and have a very bright future ahead of them,” Ms. Valle said. “They continue to lift our spirits during the pandemic.”