Honor School's 40th Anniversary

5, 2016 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring pursuit of excellence in the education of the youth of this noble Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Nial A. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School, located in Cuddebackville, New York; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion was celebrated with a ceremony on

December 5, 2016 with many former faculty and staff as well as local dignitaries, administrators and the 430-member student body in attendance; this special assembly also included the debut of Nial A. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School's Alma Mater; and WHEREAS, The school's Alma Mater was written by world-renowned composer and Nial A. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School alumnus, Evan Mack; the inspiration of the song was a former teacher of his at the school who showed kindness to him every day, just like a nourishing mother, alma mater, would; and WHEREAS, Nial A. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School opened in November of 1975; the official dedication ceremony took place the following year on December 5th upon completion of the first phase of the building project; and WHEREAS, At the time of the creation, the school consisted of 13 classrooms and a wing, holding Kindergarten through Grade 5, taught by the hand-picked faculty of the school's first principal, the late Robert Belsten; and WHEREAS, For four decades, the Nial A. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School has been committed to providing an innovative and cooperative learning environment for its students; and WHEREAS, Nial A. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School was initially called "Bicentennial Elementary" paying homage to the country's 200th anniversary, which coincided with the establishment of the school, named by a then fifth-grader, Paige Kamphefner; the name was amended sometime after to honor Port Jervis' past school board president, Nial A. Hamilton, after he passed away; and WHEREAS, After 40 years of dedication to the education of young scholars, the school has now grown to a 430-member student body along with many more administrators; and WHEREAS, To memorialize this significant day, a commemorative plaque honoring the day was issued and two new picnic tables were donated for use in the school yard; the tables were built by middle school teacher David Gibaldi and his students; and WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, Nial A. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School enables its students to achieve their full potential as productive, caring and informed individuals by providing them with a rigorous, comprehensive education suited to their unique needs and abilities; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of its Principal of more than a decade, Jared Kahmar, Nial A. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School provides programs which address the intellectual, physical, emotional and social needs of all its students; and WHEREAS, This vital institution has continually demonstrated an impressive dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for the quality of educational programs and opportunities offered for the benefit of its faculty and students as well as for the entire community; and WHEREAS, The Nial A. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School is proudly aware of its distinguished past, eager to fulfill its present commitment to parents, students and the community, and planning with vision and purpose for the ebb and swell of growth and change it will encounter in the years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Nial A. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School on December 5, 2016; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Jared Kahmar, Principal, Nial A. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School.