Denton Avenue School celebrated its revamped library with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 7. The library was updated with new carpeting, shelving, seating options, book displays and computers, with literature-related quotes and decorations throughout the welcoming environment.
Principal Loren Borgese, Assistant Principal Beth Rosenman, librarian Donna Deodato and others from Denton were joined by members of the Herricks Public Schools Board of Education and Central Administration. Dan Small, a representative for Legislator Ellen Birnbaum, presented Superintendent of Schools Dr. Fino Celano and Ms. Deodato with a certificate of recognition, and Deodato’s family members made a surprise appearance to celebrate the library’s opening.
“As I look around, I see such an inviting, warm and modern facility, and this is what our kids deserve and need,” Celano said.
Borgese thanked the Board of Education, administrators, staff members, parents and library committee participants for their collaborative efforts in planning for the new library.
“The students love coming to the library,” Borgese said. “They enjoy the seating, where the books are now, the computers and just everything about it.”
In anticipation of the new library, staff members explored other libraries, reviewed opportunities and identified what could be transformed.
“What we celebrate today is real teamwork in putting together a library, a facility, a place for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade where they can truly learn and grow,” Deodato said. “I’m so grateful for this newly renovated space for the students at Denton, and I feel like it really reflects our motto of ‘Education Today, Knowledge Forever.’”
“This is phenomenal – the whole library, the setting, the colors and layout, everything is amazing,” Board of Education President Juleigh Chin said. “This time of year, we always make new resolutions, and I hope that the kids make resolutions that they will read more, that they’ll be better readers and lifelong readers, and this is definitely a step towards that.”
Story submitted by Syntax and Herricks Public Schools.
