America 250: How Long Island schools are honoring the July 4 anniversary

From a reenactment of Boston’s historic Freedom Trail to ceremonial tree plantings, school districts across Long Island are taking creative approaches to celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.

"A milestone anniversary such as America 250 is a generational event that brings a community and a nation together and we felt as a district it was very important to significantly honor this birthday for America," said Joseph Centamore, superintendent of the Connetquot district.

This July 4 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The anniversary, educators said, not only gives students an opportunity to reflect on the history of the United States but to also look forward to the future of the country.

Some districts have emphasized themes of collaboration and unity, while others have honored the military sacrifices of the nation's veterans.

In Massapequa, the district partnered with the local library for patriotic art and essay contests, and high schoolers teamed up with the local historical society for an American Revolution "reenactment experience." Bethpage students are planning to paint a mural in the social studies wing of the high school in honor of the milestone anniversary, while Central Islip elementary students will mark the occasion with a Flag Day celebration later this month.

Gloria Sesso, president of the Long Island Council for the Social Studies, said it’s vital to pair civic knowledge with action. She stressed the importance of teaching students about the rights enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, including equity under the law and "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

"It’s so important to know the basic principles that created the United States because this country is based upon a creed," Sesso said. "And those principles are what we’re about."

Here are some of the ways schools across the Island are honoring the nation's 250th anniversary:

Tracing the nation's rich, imperfect history

In Lynbrook, the district is marking the nation's 250th anniversary with its own version of Boston’s Freedom Trail, a collection of historic locations that tell the story of the American Revolution.

Lynbrook’s trail runs between the district’s three secondary schools. Visitors can scan 50 QR codes that outline significant events in U.S history, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence through the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If somebody does complete the entire trail, what they’re really going to get is a sense of the very rich history that we have and how our history hasn’t been perfect," said Lynbrook High School principal Matthew Sarosy. "There’s definitely a resilience that the United States has."

More than a dozen QR codes were also placed around the village, highlighting Lynbrook’s history through pictures, including the first police headquarters and the original Lynbrook Theatre.

To laminate the QR codes, educators recycled Plexiglas dividers used during the pandemic to separate students.

Sarosy said the project was the result of a collaboration among several academic departments. The social studies department helped select the events to be highlighted, while members of the English department offered proofreading services. The art department assisted with visuals, and the math department worked to establish the route.

"It was a really symbolic moment for me that, much like the United States, this building is also at its best when we are working together," Sarosy said.

'Out of Many, One'

The Connetquot district chose the theme "Out of Many, One" for its celebration.

Rob Cassagne, Connetquot’s director of social studies and business, said the district has focused on encouraging student participation for the milestone event.

"One of the best ways we thought about getting student engagement was getting them to participate in various contests," Cassagne said.

A poster contest along with poetry and essay competitions were held across the district’s seven elementary schools. The winners of the writing contests will have the opportunity to share their work at their school celebrations, while the poster contest winners will have their art displayed throughout the district, officials said.

In the secondary schools, a logo contest was held, with high school junior Kimberly Greenwood’s logo design selected out of about 70 entries.

Greenwood’s logo displays two hands holding up the U.S., which is broken up into four red and blue puzzle pieces. A multiracial group looks up at the pieces, each of which features characters such as a house, a heart, a book and a flaming torch.

Greenwood said her design was based on the principles of America coming together and incorporates Connetquot’s educational pillars.

"My logo showcased...the idea that America is made up of multiple different ideas, concepts, freedoms that come together to make America so special," she said.

Tree plantings, a time capsule and a patriotic squirrel

As part of their America 250 commemoration, each school in the Eastport-South Manor district planned to hold a symbolic tree planting ceremony to "serve as a lasting reminder of growth, resilience, and the enduring values that continue to shape our country and school community," according to a district representative.

Students in the Junior-Senior High School are also participating in a time capsule project. They are gathering written reflections, messages and artifacts to put in the capsule, which will be remain sealed for the next 50 years.

Two district educators also teamed up to develop a new curriculum that explores the connections between science and social studies. As part of the project, they created a sort of mascot for young students: Liberty Nutkins, a patriotic squirrel that teaches history and science.

"We wanted to create a character that kids would gravitate to and be able to relate to, but also really tying the historical significance of the 250 years of our history," said Stephen Posselt, director of K-12 social studies. Posselt created the curriculum with Jessica Mintz, the district’s director of K-12 science.

For older students, the duo developed activities like making an American flag display that featured several hand-written messages, including "Happy Birthday America" and "America 250."

"We wanted to make it really fun and interactive ... as opposed to just the top-down teaching approach of more specific lessons," Posselt said.

Honoring those who made the 'ultimate sacrifice'

Ahead of Memorial Day, Bellport High School in the South Country district honored seven alumni who gave their lives in service of the country.

"Their courage, strength and enduring love remind us that freedom comes at a profound cost," Bellport High School principal Erika Della Rosa told attendees. "We remember the heroes with gratitude, reverence, and a promise that their sacrifice will never be forgotten."

After a moment of silence, Della Rosa read out of the names of the seven fallen servicemen.

The event also included comments from local officials, including U.S Army Reserve Command Sergeant Major Andrew Lombardo, who addressed the students in attendance.

"America only works when ordinary people decide they're responsible for something bigger than themselves," Lombardo said. 

Music from the school band and the U.S Army Infantry Division band were also a part of the event. A student group lead a color guard, along with representatives of the U.S Army. 

Senior Brian Baland, 17, was among the crowd that day. The teen is a member of the local junior ambulance company and said public service is important in his family.

"I always loved giving back to the community. I’ve done it my entire life," he said.