Flower Hill Celebrates
International Night
The Flower Hill School community enjoyed its annual International Night celebration, with a display of student projects and a scrumptious banquet of foods donated by Mr. Sausage in Huntington.
Every Flower Hill class studied a different country over the span of several weeks. Students learned about a variety of foods, cultures, languages and sports. The youngsters developed cultural displays that impressed parents and other family members who turned out for the popular event.
Entire families gathered in the school gym for a hearty meal and friendly conversation. The space was transformed by colorful decorations and tablecloths. The big crowd was fed in two shifts during the course of the fast-paced evening.
Music teacher Claude Masear, a masterful violinist, serenaded dinner guests with Italian-themed music. Teachers, parents and support staff members served the food. "It was wonderful," parent Laurene Napurano said.
Rocco Baldanza of Mr. Sausage in Huntington donated a complete pasta dinner for the night's festivities. Proceeds from the ticket sale went directly to the PTA for their work on behalf of students, said Principal Marlon Small.
Parents were impressed with the projects on display in Flower Hill's hallways. For example, the class of second grade teachers Lisa Baldanza and Suzanne Giuliani studied Peru. The youngsters were fascinated "to learn there really was a pink dolphin in Peru," Mrs. Napurano said. The children also studied the country's animals and made Peruvian t-shirts, masks and clay medallions.
"The night was a huge success," Mr. Small said. "Our students, teachers and parents truly make Flower Hill a wonderful place to work and learn."
Mr. Sausage has worked with various Huntington School District groups over the years. According to its website, the company is "a family run business committed to providing our customers with outstanding quality Italian foods. Here at Mr. Sausage, we use only the freshest ingredients as part of a time honored tradition of culinary excellence- using recipes passed down through generations. Some 24 years ago, we emigrated from Calabria, Italy, and have worked from the ground up to achieve our dream of providing authentic Italian cuisine in the United States."