Huntington UFSD Joins America in Celebrating 250th Anniversary
June 2, 2026
America is set to celebrate its 250th anniversary, which is traced to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Huntington UFSD has always been involved in every aspect of the American experiment and it will participate in the anniversary celebration, too.
“As we draw closer to the American Semiquincentennial, our district is proud to join the nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” said Brenden P. Cusack, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “This landmark event offers a unique chance for our students to explore the history of our country and the local legacy of the Huntington community.”
District-Wide Celebrations and Learning
“Our educators have developed a variety of events and lessons across our eight schools to help students connect with this historic milestone,” Mr. Cusack said.
• Flower Hill Primary School: Beginning the week of June 8th, students will create a “Happy Birthday America” bulletin board featuring stars that describe why they love our country. On June 15, the school will hold a red, white and blue spirit day and engage in interactive lessons about the Fourth of July.
• Jefferson Primary School: Along with a red, white, and blue spirit day on June 24, select students will take a virtual field trip to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum on June 10 to learn more about our nation’s history and leadership. Students will decorate patriotic templates focusing on American values such as freedom, hope, bravery, family and peace.
• Southdown Primary School: Students will participate in a “Happy Birthday America” project by decorating and placing flags throughout the school grounds. Students and staff are invited to wear red, white, and blue on June 10 to mark the occasion. Patriotic music will be played throughout the day at arrival, dismissal and during Phys Ed classes. Additionally, students will participate in a virtual field trip to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library on June 10.
• Washington Primary School: Students will enjoy “Represent USA Day: America’s 250th Birthday Party” with a celebratory ceremony on June 15. All will wear red, white and blue, third-grade students will present the history of the American Flag and each grade level will perform a patriotic song for the school community.
• Jack Abrams and Woodhull Intermediate Schools: Students at both schools will wear red, white, and blue on June 4. On June 10, teachers will lead students through a virtual field trip titled “Understanding the Declaration of Independence.” This program will provide students with a live, interactive virtual program exploring the significance of the Declaration of Independence and why it matters in American history. Led by museum educators, this session introduces key ideas about freedom, rights and the founding of our nation while engaging students through discussion and visual primary sources.
• J. Taylor Finley Middle School: After studying the Declaration of Independence, seventh graders will have the opportunity to sign an enlarged facsimile of the document. eighth grade students are working on multiple works of art with connections to the “inalienable” rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” These will be on display prominently in the East Wing of Finley. Additionally, in October 2026, a walking tour of Huntington’s own Revolutionary War sites, including the Arsenal and the Nathan Hale memorial, is in the planning stages for students in grade seven in connection with the US History curriculum. Finley students will also enjoy a “red, white and blue day” on June 10.
• Huntington High School: In addition to regular Social Studies instruction in all grades, beginning in the last week of May, eleventh grade Social Studies and Art students will collaborate to create five large-scale murals for the Social Studies wing, all themed around the Declaration of Independence and our nation’s history during each period. These works will be on display in the Social Studies wing of the High School. Each of these works of art will represent a 50-year period of American history. Huntington High School will celebrate a “red, white and blue day” on June 10. Additionally, summer reading selections for rising eighth and ninth grade students will present connections to America’s 250th birthday, and students will be given opportunities for extra credit upon completion. Additional summer reading information for all grades will be shared with families soon!
Exploring Our Local Heritage – Regional Resources
The Suffolk County 250th Commemorative Planning Committee has constructed a special 250th Passport Book. This digital resource invites Long Island residents to explore Revolutionary War sites, 18th-century landmarks and special exhibits across both Suffolk and Nassau counties. This initiative facilitates residents who wish to visit historical landmarks across Long Island to earn commemorative stamps, making history an interactive experience for the whole family.
Here is a link to access the passport online:
“We are also pleased to highlight resources that families can use in exploring our Huntington history together,” Mr. Cusack said. “The Huntington Historical Society is happy to share Liberty 250 resources through the Bloomberg Connects App. This app connects to a multitude of local historical sites and provides a guided video tour of 13 major Revolutionary War sites located right here in Huntington. We encourage you to use this app over the summer for a family walking tour of our historic downtown.”
Please take a moment to review this invaluable resource found at the link below: https://guides.bloombergconnects.org/en-US/guide/huntingtonHistoricalSociety
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey of discovery with our students as we celebrate America’s incredible 250 years of history,” Mr. Cusack.