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Friday, February 20, 2026
Vol. 86, No. 8
SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
Teacher gets special recognition for her Olympian son
Students gathered in the multipurpose room dressed in red, white and blue, carrying an array of pom-poms, American flags and signs wishing Charlie luck. Photo courtesy of
Bethpage Union Free School District
BY GARY SIMEONE It was a special day last Friday as a Bethpage elementary school teacher
received a special honor for her son who is currently participating in the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Jenni-
fer McAvoy, a second grade teacher at Kramer Lane Elementary School, had a spirited pep rally held in her son Charlie’s honor, as he is the only athlete from Long Island represented in the 2026 Olympic Games. McAvoy said she was pleasantly surprised and emotionally overwhelmed by the tribute to her son, who is part of the United States National Hockey team. “Our school principal, Kerri McCarthy, had put this honoring ceremony together for my son and she and all the staff and students did such a great job showing their support for him,” said McAvoy. “The slideshow and the Q and A session was such a great way to teach the students about the Olympics..” Charlie McAvoy is a member of the NHL’s Boston Bruins and was the only athlete chosen from Long Island to represent his country in the Milan Olympics games. “I have been in contact with Charlie since he departed for his trip last week and he is beyond excited to be part of the Olympics opening ceremonies and also meeting the other athletes who are taking part in the winter games. I know that he is solely focused on helping his team win the gold medal, but at the same time, I told him to enjoy his whole experience
because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in something like the Olympics.” In the pep rally event at Kramer Lane, the students watched a slideshow on the Olympic athletes and participated in a question and answer session with McAvoy regarding her son. “They just asked me questions about how he started playing hockey and what's it like to be the mother of a professional athlete,” said McAvoy. “They were very inquisitive and also wanted to know how he spends his time preparing and training for the games.” McAvoy has been in the NHL for nine years, and is currently a defensemen and assistant captain for the heralded Boston Bruins team. The McAvoy family grew up in Long Beach, and Charlie stated playing hockey when he was just three years old. “He started playing here on Long Island when he was younger and ended up going to school in Michigan to be part of the National Team Development Program in his last two years of high school,” said McAvoy. “He was just nineteen years old when he got called up to the NHL and has been part of the Bruins team as a firstliner and defenseman since he entered the league.”
Town hosts Valentines Day vow renewal ceremony Members of the Town of Oyster Bay Board recently celebrated with more than 50 couples at a special Vow Renewal Ceremony held in celebration of Valentine’s Day at Town Hall. Co-sponsored by Raynham Hall Museum, the event featured a reading of America’s First
Valentine, which was written on February 14, 1779 in Oyster Bay. “Valentine’s Day is such a special day for couples, and we are thrilled that so many residents chose to celebrate with us at this heartwarming ceremony at Town Hall,” said Supervisor Saladino.
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“This is one of the most special events we run, and we appreciate that so many couples join us to reaffirm their commitment to being together forever.” The special vow renewal ceremony featured residents from throughout the Town of Oyster Bay, married from just one year to those celebrating more than 70 years of marriage. Supervisor Saladino and Town Clerk LaMarca presided over the vow renewals and ring pledge,
and a Raynham Hall representative reenacted the reading of America’s first Valentine. The story of America’s first Valentine is a proud piece of Oyster Bay history which dates back to the time of the Revolutionary War, as British troops occupied Long Island homes. During the height of the American RevolutionSee page 6
School Board recognizes students PAGE 4 'Beetlejuice' comes to middle school PAGE 7