Sunrise Drive Cafeteria Renovation Completed

Opening day of school coincided with the reopening of the Sunrise Drive Elementary School cafeteria/auditorium and the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Standing patiently outside the closed doors, Sunrise Drive students  and staff couldn’t wait to get their first look after the yearlong construction. A red ribbon draped between plush red bows, made by art teacher Jeannette Ainsle, decorated the columns flanking the beautiful outdoor entrances.

Once Principal Rose Castello welcomed everyone to the ceremony, including guests from the Central Administration, BOE President John Verdone, and building architect Joseph Abruzzo (of James M. Campbell Architects), she invited Sayville Superintendent Dr. Rosemary Jones to join the five students, chosen  randomly from each grade, to cut the ribbon. Using large foil-clad cardboard scissors—made by former art teacher Mary Anselmo—(Dr. Jones used real scissors), the students had the job done in seconds.

Wide-eyed with excitement the elementary students filed into the spacious interior—at 5,400 sq. ft, it more than doubled the original space. Everywhere they looked, the contemporary design was a sight to behold. The gleaming floors, a new extended stage, fabulous high ceilings with images of the sun, moon, and stars engraved in the ceiling tiles, and of course, the cupola skylight drew squeals of amazement.

On display along the walls, the students spotted their self-portraits—artwork  they had created last year and upon which they had written promises to respect themselves, each other, and their new cafeteria. The self-portraits were reminders of how they would behave in their new addition.

The remainder of the ceremony was short, sweet, and sincere. After the Fifth-grade Chorus sang the Sunrise Drive School song, music and lyrics written by music teacher Amy Baron, Mrs. Castello thanked everyone for their participation and patience.  She remarked how well the Sunrise Drive community managed through last year’s construction, and that it was well worth the wait. Everyone indicated unanimous agreement through their cheers and applause.

Shortly after the ceremonies, lunch was served once again in the cafeteria!

Statistics About Sunrise Drive

Originally built in 1960, Sunrise Drive Elementary started at 47,226 square feet. In 1964, the East Wing added 18,654 square feet, followed in 1970 by the Library addition and 996 more square feet.

Unfortunately, the old cafeteria/auditorium (at 2,500 sq. ft.) did not undergo any renovations to accommodate the increased enrollment.

Since the districtwide renovations, funded through the $30.5 million  voter-approved Bond Issue, were well-managed, they came in ahead of schedule and often under budget. These savings in both time and money assisted the funding of the Sunrise Drive cafeteria/auditorium project.

Many thanks go to all whose concerted efforts yielded such fine results, especially Assistant Superintendent for Business John Belmonte, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Dan Casali, James M. Campbell Architects, Irwin Contracting, and the Sayville Board of Education.

Guests enjoying the ceremony were (l-r) Assistant Superintendent for Business John J. Belmonte, Director of Pupil Personnel Services Stephanie Lamanno, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Dan Casali, Architect Joseph Abruzzo, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum

Dr. Geraldine Sullivan Keck, and BOE President John Verdone.