Carle Place Middle/High School officially debuted their renovated auditorium at an assembly last week, inviting students, faculty and staff to check out the state-of-the-art facility.
“This is the central location for Carle Place, for the community, the school,” said Carle Place Middle/High School principal Thomas DePaola. “We’re very excited to have a space that’s fitting for that.” Students gathered in the new auditorium for the assembly, where they got to experience the cushy green seats and state-of-the-art theatrical sound and lighting for the first time. Many students expressed out loud their delight in the renovations, which include LED lighting, back-lit panels on the walls, new carpeting, flooring and an emerald green curtain. The space features upgraded technology and sound equipment, including acoustical clouds on the ceiling, which help control the sound in the room, as well as an open sound booth.
There is a touch of history in the new auditorium however. The new room still features a sign declaring the room as the Joseph C. Burke auditorium.
“Joseph Burke was a longstanding principal here,” Superintendent Dave Flatley said. “Even though we’re celebrating the newness of the auditorium, it’s nice to tip our hat to the history as well.”
The Carle Place High School auditorium is the site of ceremonies and inductions, as well as a classroom and community center. One of the most prominent uses of the auditorium is for the plays the school’s theater students put on multiple times a year. Theater students Matt
Cassone said he loves the new space and is excited to perform shows, such as Les Misérables this weekend, in it.
“As a theater student, it was probably the best gift we could possibly get,” Cassone said. “We get to perform in here from now on, for the rest of our time here and it’s awesome.”
Carle Place Superintendent Dave Flatley said that the project, which was funded from the capital reserve, was long overdue and couldn’t have been done without the community’s support. It’ll be a huge benefit for the students, and the community, he noted.
“In everything we do, we try to remember we’re here for the students. It’s important to send messages that the environment they work in is up to date, clean and inviting, and I think that sends a powerful message about the work we expect them to do. And they’re excited about being in a new place,” Flatley said. “This is the town hall of our community and is used for all different kinds of activities. We like to send the message to the [residents] that we’re good caretakers of their schools.”
