Kaminsky Celebrates Career of Dutch Broadway Principal

(Elmont, New York)— In a ceremony held at Elmont Memorial Library last night, Senator Todd Kaminsky, along with members of the Dutch Broadway Elementary School Parent Teacher Association and Staff, celebrated Walter Askionoff’s forty- two year career at the school.  

 “As a child and grandchild of  public school teachers, I know firsthand how hard our school’s teachers and administrators work to help every student succeed,” said Senator Kaminsky. “On Long Island, our educators are the backbones of our communities, and Walter Askionoff has been the backbone of the Dutch Broadway community for more than four decades.”

“The loss of Mr. A, as he’s lovingly known, will be a huge loss for Dutch Broadway Elementary School,” said Mimi Pierre Johnson, an Elmont community leader and Dutch Broadway Elementary School parent. “When you walk into Dutch Broadway, you are walking into his home. He is such a breath of fresh air when you see what is going on in other districts -- he makes everything a ‘production’ and treats every student the same. He’ll be missed.”

“The teachers and administrators of Dutch Broadway do so much to ensure our students' success, but it couldn’t be accomplished without the support of a dedicated principal like Mr. Aksionoff,” stated Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages. “The entire community benefited from Mr. A’s leadership. As my former elementary school principal, I can easily say he will be missed."

Askionoff began working at the school in 1974, when he taught 5^th and 6^th grade. He later went on to become Principal’s Assistant under Dr. Jon Boit, and in 1991 he began his twenty five year tenure as principal. Askionoff has additionally served as assistant coach of the Malverne High School boys basketball team.