JFK Students Donate Free Standing Library To Park

JFK Elementary School students and staff with members of the Park District and the Historical Society (from left, back row): Great Neck Park District Superintendent Jason R. Marra, JFK Principal Ronald Gimondo, Park Rec Aide Dana Gianone (sitting below Gimondo), Park Commissioner Daniel M. Nachmanoff, Assistant Principal Kathleen Murray, Steppingstone Park Supervisor Curtis Phillips, Park Commissioner Frank S. Cilluffo, Historical Society Treasurer Jay Mancus, member Chris Soto and President Alice Kasten, Park Commissioner Robert A. Lincoln, Jr., and Assistant Superintendent of the Great Neck School District Kelly Newman (Photos by Michele Siegel)

The Student Council representing grades 3 through 5 from John F. Kennedy Elementary School donated a Free Standing Library to the Great Neck Park District’s Playscape on Friday, May 20, at Steppingstone Park.

Before making the official donation, the students watched Park Supervisor Curtis Phillips raise the flag. — Before making the official
donation, the students watched Park Supervisor Curtis Phillips raise the flag.

JFK Assistant Principal Kathleen Murray said that her father had built the library so that the children could enjoy books and reading. The structure is a replica of Stepping Stones Lighthouse, which students from JFK Elementary School have adopted. The children have been trying to raise community support, and raised close to $1,000, one penny at a time, through their penny pot. They also competed in an essay contest, built replicas and wrote poems and songs to raise awareness.

The Free Standing Library that can now be found in the Playscape.

Board of Commissioners Robert A. Lincoln, Jr., Daniel M. Nachmanoff and Frank S. Cilluffo, as well as Superintendent Jason R. Marra, accepted the generous donation on behalf of the Park District.

Some of the students get comfortable in the reading area.

Also present were JFK Principal Ronald Gimondo, Assistant Superintendent of the Great Neck School District Kelly Newman and members of the Great Neck Historical Society, including President Alice Kasten, Treasurer Jay Mancus and member Chris Soto.