Senate Resolution No. 43

BY: Senator BONACIC

COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of Nial A.
Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School on December
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.