Harborfields Begins Celebrations for America's 250th!
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, known as the semi-quincentennial. To celebrate this special anniversary in our nation’s history, Suffolk County established the 250th Commemorative Planning Committee to encourage students and families to explore the landmarks, museums, and historical sites across Long Island that tell the story of our nation’s fight for independence and the significant role our region played.
To support this effort, the committee has created and published the Long Island 250th Passbook. Thanks to the generous support of the Harborfields Council of PTAs, HACEF, and a Suffolk’s Edge Teacher Center grant, every student in the Harborfields Central School District received a copy of the passbook!
The buildings each put their own spin on a launching activity to introduce the semiquincentennial and the significance of Long Island’s role in our nation’s history. At Washington Drive, members of the high school’s Rho Kappa Honor Society dressed up as historical figures and in americana spiritwear and shared fun historical facts and information. At Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School, Principal Jennifer Washington transformed into Martha Washington and was joined by a fictional John Adams. They went classroom-to-classroom pushing a cart with the decleration of independance proudly displayed, delivering the books and sharing historical anctedotes. Through the hallways you could hear Mrs. Washington playing flute and fifth-grade student Joe DeRisi playing the drums. These unique experiences brought creativity and excitement to the students around celebrating this historic event!
To add a little extra incentive, any Harborfields student who visits all 15 designated sites in the Town of Huntington and collects the required stamps will receive a special proclamation from the Town and be recognized at a Harborfields Board of Education meeting in the fall.
In an email to all families Dr. Rory Manning, Superintendent of Schools, said, “We encourage all students and families to take part in this meaningful opportunity to explore our local history and celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.”
