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Dear Deer Park Families,
On behalf of the entire Deer Park staff, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year! I hope your summer has been filled with opportunities to relax, make memories with loved ones, and enjoy some well-deserved fun. We are excited to welcome our students back for another year of learning, growth, and celebration.
Over the summer, I have enjoyed family time at the beach, traveling to Florida, South Carolina, and New Jersey while enjoying lots of sun and pool time. Mrs. Hitz, our Assistant Principal, enjoyed an amazing cruise to Alaska as well as her annual family beach trip to the Outer Banks. We are relaxed, recharged, and ready to go…
This year, our school theme is "One School, One Goal: Together We Achieve." Inspired by the excitement of the FIFA World Cup being hosted in the United States early in the summer, our theme celebrates the power of teamwork and reminds us that success is built when everyone works together toward a common goal. Whether on the soccer field or in the classroom, every individual plays an important role. At Deer Park, our students, families, staff, and community each contribute to making our school a place where everyone belongs, learns, and thrives.
Throughout the year, we will encourage our students to fully understand their learning, to work together, support one another, celebrate successes, and persevere through challenges. Together, we will continue building a positive school community where every child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. One School, One Goal: Together We Achieve will serve as our reminder that we are strongest when we work as one team.
As our team grows, I am excited to welcome several new staff members to Deer Park. Please join me in giving a warm Deer Park welcome to:
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Adel Goher – Custodian II
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Josh Gladstone – Special Education Instructional Assistant
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Kylie Yorkdale – 4th Grade Teacher
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Caroline Thomson – 5th Grade Teacher
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Pearl Kim – Special Education Instructional Assistant
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Shafagat Safarova Azarsina – Special Education Instructional Assistant
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Alyssa Kleeman - Speech Language Pathologist (PT)
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Steven Lovecchio - Band
We know they will be wonderful additions to our school community, and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on our students and families.
As you prepare for the new school year, please take note of these important upcoming dates:
August 19
- Class placements will be sent through e-Notify shortly after 4:00 p.m.
August 20 – Open House
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10:00–11:00 a.m. – Preschool (PS/PAC) and Kindergarten
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1:15–2:00 p.m. – New Deer Park Family Orientation (Grades 1–6, families new to Deer Park)
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2:00–3:00 p.m. – Grades 1–6 Open House
August 24
September 4–7
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Labor Day Holiday Weekend (No School)
Back-to-School Nights
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September 14 – Grades 2, 4, and 6 (5:00–8:00 p.m.)
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September 17 – Kindergarten, Grades 1, 3, and 5 (5:00–8:30 p.m.)
We will also continue our Early Release Wednesdays this year. Dismissal will be at 12:25 p.m. on these days. These afternoons provide our teachers with valuable professional learning and collaboration time so they can continue refining instructional practices and providing the highest-quality learning experiences for our students. Please mark these dates on your calendar:
- October 21
- December 2
- February 10
- May 5
Additional information regarding dismissal procedures will be shared as each early release date approaches. Coverage will be provided for extenuating circumstances by a non-instructional staff member. However, we hope that you can utilize this time with your child to do something fun!
The beginning of a new school year always brings excitement, hope, and endless possibilities. We are incredibly grateful for the partnership we share with our Deer Park families and our PTA. Together, we create a supportive environment where children are encouraged to dream big, take risks, show kindness, and achieve success. Thank you for entrusting us with your children each day. It is an honor to be part of their educational journey.
As we kick off another wonderful year, I encourage each of us to embrace our role on the Deer Park team. By working together, supporting one another, and keeping our shared goal in focus, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
I look forward to seeing many of you at Open House on August 20th and welcoming our students back on the first day of school, August 24th. Here's to a fantastic school year filled with learning, laughter, and achievement!
Warmly,
Bob D’Amato
Principal
Deer Park Elementary School
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