Last Friday, Albany Avenue Elementary School held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate full day kindergarten which will be taking place at five out of six Farmingdale schools. The ceremony was set up outside of the construction site on school grounds where an extension is being built to accommodate students who will be attending kindergarten in September.

At the start of the ceremony, Albany Avenue Principal Herbert Farina told the class-loads of students lined up outside that they are "here today for a celebration, we are here today for a groundbreaking ceremony. The most important people here today are you. The community has come together to make a commitment to you, to the future, by increasing the size of our school and providing extra services for you."

On hand to celebrate the ceremony were Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, Councilman Joe Muscarella, Superintendent of Farmingdale Schools Gerard Dempsey, Assistant Superintendents Barbara Horsely and William Fanning, Board of Education President Anthony Vitale, board members Tina Diamond, Dolores Saxton, and Philip Acinapuro.

Symbolically breaking ground, a mound of dirt from the site was placed on the ground for student council members to shovel to celebrate the beginning of the construction.

Superintendent Dempsey said that this event marks a very hopeful time in Farmingdale's school district. "This groundbreaking and the expansion of these classrooms are for new programs and opportunities for children. I congratulate the students here at Albany Avenue and thank the students, teachers and family members who supported us in this effort."

During the ceremony, several Albany Avenue students spoke of the significance of the groundbreaking in a speech entitled "Whereas." They read to the audience:

"Whereas, school's prepare children for the future so they will become citizens who will learn to make good choices. We come together as a community to witness the expansion of Albany Avenue School. Whereas, everybody plays an important role in the school community, we thank all those who made this expansion possible. Proclaim this 17th day of November 2000."

Student Council President Joe Muscarella spoke of the groundbreaking, calling it "a special event for everyone in the community. Today we commemorate American Education Week. This week we set aside to support a national effort to raise public awareness of the importance of education. It is our hope that the expansion of Albany Avenue will enable many families to receive the best education they can get."

Muscarella added that he feels very fortunate to be a student at Albany Avenue, and says he has learned many things. "The most important lesson of all is that we can help shape the future beginning today," he added.

Future groundbreaking ceremonies to celebrate expansion are scheduled to take place at other Farmingdale schools throughout the course of the month.