Second grade students at Forest Brook Elementary School enjoyed a special assembly presentation focused on the history of Long Island, led by Ms. Burkhard from Hauppauge High School. The engaging program highlighted Long Island’s rich past while placing special emphasis on our own community of Hauppauge, helping students make meaningful connections to the place they call home.
Throughout the presentation, Ms. Burkhard shared fascinating facts and visuals featuring well-known local landmarks and destinations, including Jones Beach, Robert Moses State Park, the Fire Island Lighthouse, and Oheka Castle. One fun and surprising highlight for students was learning that Taylor Swift once rented Oheka Castle to film her “Blank Space” music video—and that the rental reportedly cost $250,000 for the month.
The assembly sparked curiosity and excitement among students while deepening their appreciation for the history, landmarks, and culture of Long Island. Experiences like this help bring learning to life and encourage students to see their community through a new and meaningful lens.