Students at John F. Kennedy (JFK) Intermediate School in Deer Park now have a keyboard lab provided by Five Towns College.

JFK Intermediate School received 31 new digital keyboards for music instruction, practice and composition. A new keyboard lab was recently established in room A-1 of the school. Dr. Stanley Cohen of Five Towns College welcomed JFK students during a brief dedication ceremony. Deer Park Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Marino and Deer Park Director of Fine and Performing Arts Dr. Jeff Dailey were on hand to present Dr. Cohen with a plaque in gratitude of the college's generous donation.

Students expressing a serious interest and dedication to music will have the opportunity to keep their keyboards. A general music instruction course will also be offered to Deer Park School District teachers through Five Towns College, using the new lab.

"Playing keyboard imparts significant musical skill that can be utilized to play many other musical instruments associated with band, orchestra and even vocal groups," said Dr. Dailey. "Learning to read music in general helps to improve literacy skills. This is an innovative blend of the arts and education that will benefit our students and not cost parents or taxpayers anything."

Shown in the photo, Dr. Stanley Cohen and Stephen Wade of Five Towns College, center, accepted a plaque honoring their generous donation of 31 keyboards to JFK School in Deer Park from, left to right, Deer Park Board of Education President Dennis Ryan, Deer Park Director of Fine and Performing Arts Dr. Jeff Dailey, John F. Kennedy Principal Susan Bonner, and Deer Park Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Marino. The keyboard lab donation is a continuation of the already productive partnership between the Deer Park District and Five Towns College that has brought student teachers to the Deer Park schools to work with music students. Performing groups from the college have also entertained District students, and students enrolled in Deer Park theatre and music classes have taken field trips to Five Towns. Historically, many Deer Park High School graduates have pursued further education in music at Five Towns, many receiving college credit from courses taken at Deer Park High School or scholarships awarded by Five Towns.

Shown in the photo, Deer Park's JFK School students fill the seats behind their new keyboards and listen attentively as they receive their first lessons thanks to a generous donation from Five Towns College.