Wing Elementary School welcomed local community members to Community Reader Day on the morning of March 5. The annual event, part of the Pick a Reading Partner program, invites guests to read favorite books to Wing students in support of the school’s initiative to instill a love of reading.

Guest readers visiting the Wing classrooms this year included Islip Board of Education Vice President Paul Austin and trustees Eric Buehler, Matthew Clareen, Tom Leggio and Laura Rogacki; Superintendent Dr. Dennis P. O’Hara; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Michael Giacchetto; Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Administrative Services and Operations Donna Brower; Fine and Performing Arts Director Michael Hershkowitz; Technology, Innovation and Information Systems Director Dr. Chad Walerstein; World Language/ENL Coordinator Rabia Hirji; Science and Technology Coordinator Dan Oggeri; English Language Arts, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Cosmetology Coordinator Barbara Wagner; Islip High School Principal Dr. Lara Gonzalez, Islip Middle School Dean of Students Jamie Wright; Commack Road Elementary School Principal Jacqueline Beckmann; Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School Principal Briana James; Islip Town Councilman James P. O’Connor; Islip Town Clerk Linda Vavricka; Islip Town Receiver of Taxes Andy Wittman; and several of the district’s counselors, social workers and teachers.  

“Community Reader Day is one of our favorite events at Wing,” Principal Catherine Glaser said. “We are deeply grateful to the members of our Board of Education, central office administration, district and building administrators, and local elected officials who took time out of their morning to read to our UPK, kindergarten and first-grade students.”

Date Added: 3/11/2025