In the fall of 1968, Sachem’s yearly enrollment passed the 10,000-student mark. Paul Cammarata, then 5 years old, was honored by Sachem Superintendent Walter C. Dunham with a certificate of recognition for being Sachem’s 10,000th student.
Paul is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cammarata, who moved from Amityville into the Roland Homes development in Lake Ronkonkoma. In 1968, Paul attended the Union Avenue School in Holbrook, N.Y., which housed kindergarten in quadruple sessions because of a classroom shortage.
By the mid-1970’s, Sachem’s yearly enrollment grew to 15,000-plus and continues to be one of the highest district enrollment totals in the northeast.
Editor’s note: The following is an installment of an ongoing historical series about the Sachem Central School District. I have the great pleasure of exploring Sachem’s historic archives and bringing to light stories that have been out of sight for decades.
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro