Winter Olympics: Long Beach's Charlie McAvoy receives send-off from his mother's school in Plainview

The 350 or so kids sat on the floor at Kramer Lane Elementary School, many of them waving their small American flags. The mixed soundtrack of their happy squeals and James Brown’s “Living in America” filled the big all-purpose room.

And then came the chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!”

The school assembly/pep rally was beginning Friday afternoon.

It was a primer for these elementary school kids about the Winter Olympics and a talented child of Long Island, an event in his honor.

Charlie McAvoy was over in Milan marching in the parade of athletes at the opening ceremony for the 2026 Games as a first-time member of Team USA’s Olympic men’s hockey contingent.

So why single out the Boston Bruins defenseman from Long Beach at this Plainview school that’s part of the Bethpage district? Because Jennifer McAvoy — aka Charlie’s mom — is in her fourth year working here, serving as a second-grade teacher.

“I am just truly humbled,” she said before the crowd entered the room. “It’s very, very exciting. I think that going to the Olympics is super-exciting and this is a really good way to send him off and to recognize everything he’s worked for.”

The kids learned about his story and the traits that got him to this day.

“I learned that he worked really hard and he got really far in life,” fifth-grader Nicholas Kong said.

The lessons extended to what sports the students might see being contested and an explanation of the medals.

“I really liked it,” said Nina Chouhan, another fifth-grader. “I learned a lot about the Olympics that I didn’t know.”

Video highlights had rolled during the presentation, and the children cheered some of McAvoy’s goals for Boston that flashed on the big screen. Jennifer McAvoy, proudly wearing her son’s No. 25 Team USA jersey, participated in a Q&A with the students, too.

“It means a lot [to the school],” said Kerri McCarthy, Kramer Lane’s principal. “We’re really proud of what Charlie has been able to accomplish. We’re proud of what Jen has done as a mom of an Olympian. I mean, that’s a lot of work for moms.

“It’s just really exciting for us. And we’re hoping to get kids excited about the Olympics again.”

Jennifer will leave for Milan on Wednesday with husband Charlie Sr. and daughters Heather and Holly.

The family matriarch has been reflective lately about her son’s journey from a 3-year-old first putting on ice skates in Long Beach to 2016 first-round pick by Boston to nine-year Bruins standout to 28-year-old Olympian.

“Never in a million years when he was that little would we have dreamed that he would be making it this far,” Jennifer said. “But there was a passion in him whenever he played his sport that just stood out and a determination and a hard work ethic. I’m so proud of him and so happy for him.”

McAvoy has a history competing for USA Hockey. But the Olympics? This is a five-ringed thrill of a lifetime.

And would you believe it could’ve been derailed in the first period of his final game before the Olympics?

Florida forward Sandis Vilmanis delivered an elbow to McAvoy’s head Wednesday, drawing a two-minute penalty. McAvoy was helped off the ice and headed down the tunnel.

“Very worried,” his mom said. “Very worried.”

Her son returned for the second period. Jennifer said he’s cleared to play in the Olympics “as of right now, as far as I know.”

“He’s a little sore, but he’s OK,” she said. “It’s kind of like your heart stops for a moment. And then I got a text from his wife; I knew he was OK.

“And then I could breathe again.”

Before leaving for Italy, Charlie McAvoy recorded a video to be played for the students, meaningful and inspiring words:

“If there’s one message I can give to you guys, I just want to say, since I was your age, I’ve been dreaming of this. This is a dream come true for me. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this point.

“You guys have dreams; follow them. Work as hard as you can. Anything is possible. Go USA.”