By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.
“The roots of Gatelot go deep.”
The predecessors of Gatelot are as follows: In 1795, New York State Legislature passed an act permitting elementary school buildings. In 1812, the first public school in Lake Ronkonkoma was built at Five Corners, originally called the Lakeville School, then the Lake Grove School. On November 3, 1813, the Lake Ronkonkoma Union Free District was formed. In 1859, a two-room schoolhouse was constructed at the same site, and staffed by two teachers, grades one through eight.
In 1912, a new four-room schoolhouse was built on School Street and Hawkins Avenue and became the Lake Ronkonkoma School (pictured in cover). The school served the community in many ways. It displayed the WWI Memorial Rock, proclaimed on November 11, 1923. The early dental and physician referral in the 1920s; the cocoa and soup program led by Mr. Fish; Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts meetings held in the building; PTA Meetings and Community planning took their roots behind the school’s doors. A certain student went on to lead the world with the U.S. Army – Lieutenant General David Grange (pictured above), shown in photo from 1936 at the original LR School (pictured below).
On January 4, 1946, the school was destroyed by an arson fire. The students were bused to other schools, and for two years had lived through the adjustments and waited for a new school.
Records show that on October 11, 1932, a discussion was held at a PTA meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma School realizing the need for a high school. This meeting agenda, memorialized in the minutes, was the first official discussion of a high school and district.
In 1947-1948, the new Lake Ronkonkoma School (later known as Gatelot Avenue School) was built, and dedicated on November 17, 1948.
Architect Daniel Perry introduced tremendous innovations into the school building – “design follows function” – including single-loaded corridors with extensive window areas affording fine views of the outdoor scenery. The primary grade classrooms were self-contained, each with their own bathroom and running water, and a space for coats, hats, and book bags. Each primary grade classroom had its own exit for easy access to the playground. In the hallway, between the six classrooms, he designed glass displays where students exhibited work that could be shared with all who walked the lengthy eleven-foot-wide corridors. Lake Ronkonkoma School was also unique in that it was the first elementary school to be built on Long Island after WWII. Steel was scarce after the war, which explains the all-wood construction. The original building included the main cafeteria and gym and had a cost of $355,000.
The dedication on November 17, 1948, thanked the members of the district, who had made this happen. Included were:
Philip Hans, President; Francis Hugelmeyer, Clerk; John Palmer; Charles Seibert; Seymour Singer from the Board of Education; Walter Dunham, Principal; Walter Ormsey, District Superintendent of Schools; Harold Sorenson, Counsel; Elsie Okvist, Treasurer; Daniel Perry, Architect; Lowe Construction Co., Inc.
Their hard work is still the basis of our Sachem CSD #5, with Gatelot Avenue School the historic backbone which set the tone for the future.
All who have passed through the Sachem doors and have been taught by the brightest and best educators realize, without a doubt, that we were special. Never did the district, led by Walter Dunham, let us go without basic needs; the budget prepared flawlessly to perhaps add additional services or schools. Sports, clubs, the radio station, all began with careful planning and considerations only for the students. Everything was based on the students and their future.
November 24, 2015, brought the Proclamation of the Fourteenth Historic Landmark of Lake Ronkonkoma, proclaimed by the Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association, which was held at a well-prepared and executed event that included faculty, staff, students, and administration. The ceremony included: The Fifteen-Star Flag explanation to bring us back to 1813 by Ellyn Okvist with the help of ALL students of Gatelot; an Algonquin Poem read by student Olivia Garafola; the Pledge of Allegiance with Tyler Berkowitz and Chaz Panicci; musical selections including “The Gatelot Song” by Chrie Lehmann, Gatelot Music teacher; students sharing their own writings- Delaney Ortiz, Sara Breitenbecker, Quinn Crescenzo; proclamation of the Historic Landmark by Ellyn Okvist; a few words from Victoria Ryder, Gatelot Avenue PTA President; Denis Kleinman, Principal; James Nolan, Superintendent Sachem CSD; then-Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) with student Jacqueline Kohn; then-Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) by then-Presiding Officer Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon), Regional Director LI Parks; then-Senator Thomas Croci (R-Sayville) by Mr. Sal Nicosia; then-Assemblymen Al Graf (R-Holbrook); then-Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone (D-West Babylon) with student Dylan Berkowitz; then-Suffolk County Legislator Tom Muratore (R-Ronkonkoma); Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) with student Zach Viola; then-Brookhaven Town Councilman Kevin LaValle (R-Selden); Brookhaven Town Councilman Neil Foley (R-Blue Point); and all were welcome from the audience to say a few words.
The Proclamation included special guests Richard Hermann Francesconi; Henry Barton, principal; a huge showing of past teachers, Sachem District staff members, past students and friends. What a joy it was to see so many hugging their cafeteria staff, janitors and all others that had meant so much to each other.
A few well-known traditions were discussed, such as the November 6, 1925, copy of the original journal of the LR School (pictured above), when the infamous “Mr. Fish and his cocoa” entry eventually began the soup-for-lunch program that went on for years and is a legend to this day. Mr. Fish prepared the soup himself.
The students climbing the flagpole was also a popular fad. Not many could complete the climb, but those who did still hold their place on record. The same flagpole still stands proudly in front of the school (pictured above).
Google Gatelot; it comes up for sale for $7,000,000.
