Lee Road Elementary School recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with a rededication ceremony which was attended by many community members and local officials.

On Nov. 25, 1958 Lee Road School was dedicated and on Nov. 25, 1998 the school was rededicated as part of the 40th anniverary celebration.

According to Lee Road Principal Barbara Hornak, "It was a real celebration of the learning that has taken place." Over 700 people, including students, alumni, parents, and teachers attended the celebration.

One of the most exciting things for Hornak was that so many former Lee Road students came back. Many Lee Roaders who are currently in college or out working started calling last year to be put on the list to be informed about what was going on for the celebration. These former students were able to reminisce as they walked through the hallways they walked through from kindergarten through fifth grade. They also enjoyed a display of memorabilia that included pictures that had been taken at school events over the years. Another exciting part of the event was the opening of a time capsule which held a video of Lee Road students as they went through the school.

Lee Road was also honored with the presence of the first Lee Road PTA President, Evelyn Robertson, who still lives in one of the two houses on Lee Road. Robertson gave a speech and congratulated everyone on this milestone.

Hornak said that it was very exciting to have so many people come back for this event and it was very nice to see how many current Lee Road parents were former Lee Roaders themselves.

Lee Road students got involved in the celebration throughout the year by filling the halls with their projects about the number 40 and the history of Lee Road School. The students learned all about how the property the school is located on was once a bird sanctuary that was sold to the district for $1, as well as learning other bits of history about the school. Hornak said that the highlight of the event for her was when the students sang a special song for Mrs. Simone, a resident of the other house on Lee Road. Simone had written a poem last year called, The Place They Call Home, for the 40th anniversary of the school. The school music teacher put the poem to music and the students surprised her by singing it at the rededication.

According to superintendent of the Levittown School District Herman Sirois, "It was a very nice, wonderful program." This event was organized by a committee made up of Hornak, parents, and teachers. They started planning for this celebration last year with the help of Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Linda Reed, who is a former Lee Roader. Reed helped arrange for many local officials to attend the event and the school received several proclamations from the Town of Hempstead, the county, and the state. Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta, who was unable to attend the event, proclaimed the day Lee Road School Day.

Hornak stated, "I think it's a day that our children will never forget and I think it just shows them community feeling that so many alumni came back for the day." She added, "It was really a joyous day of celebration. One of the things that I find about Lee Road is, 40 years is a long time, but the seeds of all the ideas that were planted way back then continue to this day. It is the dedication to children, the dedication to learning, those seeds were planted 40 years ago and are still going on today. It's just a nice place to be."