Francis X. Hegarty Elementary

News & Announcements

Island Park elementary students recognized for good traits

Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School students recently gathered for a special assembly to celebrate fellow peers being recognized for having good character traits. Throughout the school year, Monthly Character Traits Awards will be presented to two students from each class for respect, perseverance, compassion, tolerance, honest, self-esteem, responsibility, loyalty, and good character.
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Students of the Month celebrated at Board of Education meeting

At the November 13 Island Park Board of Education meeting, several students were recognized as October Students of the Month.
The learner profile attribute for October was “knowledgeable,” which describes students who develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. These students engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Students honored for this learner profile attribute were Jack Barnes (kindergarten), Parker Szachacz (grade 1), Everett Castell (grade 2), Catherine Rodahan (grade 3), Michal Skrine (grade 4), Sean Trahan (grade 5), Adan Rodriguez (grade 6), Andrew Ruiz (grade 7) and Ella Melle (grade 8).
Following student recognitions, Superintendent of Schools Vincent Randazzo reported important district updates to the Board and the general public. A highlight of Mr. Randazzo’s presenation was student goal setting also known as “Wildly Important Goals” (WIG). The presentation slides can be found on the Superintendent’s Corner page of the Island Park Union Free School District website following this URL: http://www.ips.k12.ny.us/superintendents_corner Opens in a new browser tab .
To watch the full meeting, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3fqEP7GxFA Opens in a new browser tab
Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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Francis X. Hegarty Elementary students explore Cultural Museum

Students at FXH had an exciting time exploring a Cultural Museum set up in the school’s gymnasium today. Each class from kindergarten through fourth grade researched a different country and created informative poster boards to display their findings. All students had the opportunity to visit the museum and learn about a variety of countries, including their landmarks, languages, and unique traditions. As they traveled from table to table, students received “passports” that were stamped at each country’s station, adding an extra element of fun and engagement to their global journey.
Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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Students Unplug for an Evening of Fun and Togetherness

Families from FXH came together on May 14 to enjoy a screen-free evening filled with laughter, creativity, and connection during this year’s much anticipated Prime Time event.

Held in two sessions to accommodate all attendees, the event encouraged students, families, and staff to unplug from electronic devices and immerse themselves in hands-on activities designed to foster community spirit and shared experiences.

The evening featured a variety of engaging and interactive programs, with standout favorites including the fast-paced Hollyrock Game Show, classic Bingo, a creative Mo Willems-themed Paint & Sip, and personalized bookmark making. The joyful atmosphere and wide array of activities made for a memorable night that highlighted the power of unplugging and being present together.

Prime Time continues to be a cherished tradition in the Island Park community, reminding everyone of the value of quality time spent with family and friends.
 
Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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FXH Students Enjoy Cultural Arts Circus

FXH students recently enjoyed a special performance of The Diversity Circus, an interactive, circus-themed assembly focused on character building and celebrating diversity. Through a lively hour of comedy, colorful costumes, and quirky characters, students were actively engaged while learning the important message that while we are all different, we are also very much the same.FXH students recently enjoyed a special performance of The Diversity Circus, an interactive, circus-themed assembly focused on character building and celebrating diversity. Through a lively hour of comedy, colorful costumes, and quirky characters, students were actively engaged while learning the important message that while we are all different, we are also very much the same.


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Island Park Students Step Up for a Cause at Annual Winner’s Walk

Despite rainy weather, the spirit of giving and community was alive and well at Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School in Island Park on May 9, as students laced up their sneakers for the school’s Annual Winner’s Walk.

Hosted indoors this year due to inclement weather, the event transformed the school gymnasium into a lively course, complete with decorations and enthusiastic participants. Organized by the F.X. Hegarty Leadership Club in partnership with the Physical Education Department, the walk celebrated school spirit, encouraged physical activity, and raised over $360 to benefit The Creative Arts Therapy Source in Garden City.

In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month, this year’s fundraiser supports a nonprofit mission of providing healing through art therapy.

A cherished tradition since the 1980s, the Winner’s Walk continues to promote health, wellness, and compassion in the Island Park school community while making a meaningful impact beyond school walls.
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Author and Illustrator Douglas Florian Visits Francis X. Hegarty School

Students at Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School were treated to an unforgettable visit from acclaimed author and illustrator Douglas Florian on Feb. 26. Florian, best known for his engaging children’s books that blend art, poetry, and wordplay, spent the morning inspiring young minds with a lively and interactive presentation on the creative process behind his works.

During his discussion, Florian captivated students by reading his poems aloud, incorporating elements of rhythm, alliteration, rhyme, and onomatopoeia. His energetic, rhyming interactions encouraged the students to participate, repeating his poems and embracing the joy of language. Florian’s engaging approach brought his stories to life as he showcased vibrant, larger-than-life illustrations from his books.

A highlight of the assembly was when Florian invited students to guess the animals illustrated in several of his drawings. This hands-on activity not only sparked curiosity but also reinforced the importance of observation and creativity in both art and writing.

Florian’s work often draws inspiration from the natural world, utilizing wordplay, neologisms, rhyme, and humor to captivate young readers. His celebrated books, including Insectlopedia, Beast Feast, UnBEElievables, and Dinothesaurus, are beloved by children and educators alike for their clever integration of art and poetry.
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Island Park Elementary Students Recognized for Good Traits

FXH students recently gathered in the school’s gymnasium for January’s monthly assembly to celebrate fellow peers being recognized for having tolerance, understanding, diversity, multiculturalism, respecting differences, understanding, and appreciating others. Throughout the school year, Monthly Character Traits Awards are presented to two students from each class for respect, perseverance, compassion, tolerance, honest, self-esteem, responsibility, loyalty, and good character.  
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Island Park Students Celebrate Patriot Day

Francis X. Hegarty Elementary students and staff celebrated Patriot Day on the morning of Sept. 11. Students gathered for a special tribute honoring local heroes on the front lawn around the school’s flagpole.
Under the direction of Principal Adam Frankel, the program started with the Pledge of Allegiance and included a tribute recognizing everyday heroes. Principal Frankel encouraged students to think about how they can be a hero by performing acts of service and good deeds within our families and school community. Poems about heroes were shared by students and the program concluded with everyone singing, “God Bless America.”
The patriotic feeling continued as students placed flags on the walkway leading to the entrance of the building.
 
Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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Island Park elementary students recognized for good traits

Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School students recently gathered for a special assembly to celebrate fellow peers being recognized for having good character traits. Throughout the school year, Monthly Character Traits Awards will be presented to two students from each class for respect, perseverance, compassion, tolerance, honest, self-esteem, responsibility, loyalty, and good character.
Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
read more
Students of the Month celebrated at Board of Education meeting

At the November 13 Island Park Board of Education meeting, several students were recognized as October Students of the Month.
The learner profile attribute for October was “knowledgeable,” which describes students who develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. These students engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Students honored for this learner profile attribute were Jack Barnes (kindergarten), Parker Szachacz (grade 1), Everett Castell (grade 2), Catherine Rodahan (grade 3), Michal Skrine (grade 4), Sean Trahan (grade 5), Adan Rodriguez (grade 6), Andrew Ruiz (grade 7) and Ella Melle (grade 8).
Following student recognitions, Superintendent of Schools Vincent Randazzo reported important district updates to the Board and the general public. A highlight of Mr. Randazzo’s presenation was student goal setting also known as “Wildly Important Goals” (WIG). The presentation slides can be found on the Superintendent’s Corner page of the Island Park Union Free School District website following this URL: http://www.ips.k12.ny.us/superintendents_corner Opens in a new browser tab .
To watch the full meeting, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3fqEP7GxFA Opens in a new browser tab
Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
read more
Francis X. Hegarty Elementary students explore Cultural Museum

Students at FXH had an exciting time exploring a Cultural Museum set up in the school’s gymnasium today. Each class from kindergarten through fourth grade researched a different country and created informative poster boards to display their findings. All students had the opportunity to visit the museum and learn about a variety of countries, including their landmarks, languages, and unique traditions. As they traveled from table to table, students received “passports” that were stamped at each country’s station, adding an extra element of fun and engagement to their global journey.
Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
read more
Students Unplug for an Evening of Fun and Togetherness

Families from FXH came together on May 14 to enjoy a screen-free evening filled with laughter, creativity, and connection during this year’s much anticipated Prime Time event.

Held in two sessions to accommodate all attendees, the event encouraged students, families, and staff to unplug from electronic devices and immerse themselves in hands-on activities designed to foster community spirit and shared experiences.

The evening featured a variety of engaging and interactive programs, with standout favorites including the fast-paced Hollyrock Game Show, classic Bingo, a creative Mo Willems-themed Paint & Sip, and personalized bookmark making. The joyful atmosphere and wide array of activities made for a memorable night that highlighted the power of unplugging and being present together.

Prime Time continues to be a cherished tradition in the Island Park community, reminding everyone of the value of quality time spent with family and friends.
 
Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
read more