$1
Friday, September 19, 2025
Vol. 2, No. 38
THE GATEWAY TO NASSAU COUNTY SERVING FLORAL PARK, BELLEROSE AND STEWART MANOR
BoE celebrates school district staff
Safety in focus as FPB district starts school year BY KASSARA MCELROY A strong start to the school year, tributes to retiring staff, and renewed commitments to student safety took focus at the latest Floral Park-Bellerose Board of Education meeting. Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lubrano praised teachers, administrators, and staff for ensuring a smooth opening to the 2025–2026 academic year. “With six school days under our belt already, we’re off to a great start,” he said, noting both instructional and opera-
New staff are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lubrano at the Board of Education meeting on Sept. 10 Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District celebrated the contributions of both new and long-standing employees during the board of education meeting on Sept. 10. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anthony Lubrano began the recognitions by formally welcoming 13 new staff members to the district. “We are here to support you in a tightknit community that values education and has a
strong sense of belonging,” Dr. Lubrano said. The new faculty are Melanie Boccasini, Michael Caprino, Haley Celona, Gianna Cannavo, Stephanie Curatola, Alice DeSarno, Maria Endrich, Hope Mannion, Rachel Massone, Christopher Palmisano, Emma Parente, Kristen Rowe and Stephanie Xikes. After extending a warm welcome to the newcomers, the board members shifted focus to
celebrating staff milestones and years of service.
35 Years of Service
Christina Kingsley, Floral Park-Bellerose School
30 Years of Service
Elizabeth Kline, John Lewis Childs School Marie Szabunka, John Lewis Childs School
25 Years of Service See page 10
The Floral Park Villager Published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Telephone 516-931-0012 Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Floral Park Villager, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208 Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris, Publisher
tional readiness. The board also turned the spotlight on its people, honoring employees who have reached milestones ranging from five to thirty-five years of service. A special tribute was reserved for Barbara Nash, a teacher aide whose retirement was marked with a Distinguished Service Resolution recognizing her decades of dedication. Retirees Tonina DelGiorno, a teacher aide with 17 years of service, and Virginia Coughlin, a bus See page 11
FP Chamber ‘Back to Business BY RIKKI MASSAND
With record-breaking attendance, the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce wrapped up summer with a “Back to Business” dinner at Mann Sarka Asian Fusion on Jericho Turnpike, Thursday, September 11. Professionals from across industries and local business owners gathered to share updates and hear what’s ahead for fall,
with several notable events and opportunities for networking and civic engagement. Chamber President Shane Parouse emphasized the Chamber’s commitment to working with the village and police department to improve pedestrian safety throughout business districts on Tulip Avenue, Covert Avenue, and Jericho Turnpike. See page 4
Fairyland displays at Centennial Gdns. PAGE 6 FP Junior Woman's Club to meet PAGE 3