The Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association honored Gatelot Avenue Elementary School with a landmark sign – No. 14 all-time in the community – on Tuesday afternoon.
Students and staff from the building were joined by dignitaries, administrators and members of the Heritage Association for the historic moment.
The text on the sign reads: “The roots of Gatelot go deep”. In 1795, New York State Legislature passed an act permitting elementary school buildings. On November 3, 1813 the “Lake Ronkonkoma Union Free School District” was formed. Records show that on October 11, 1932, a discussion was held at a meeting of the “ Lake Ronkonkoma School” realizing the need for a High School. In 1947 – 1948 the new “ Lake Ronkonkoma School” was built. It was dedicated on November 17, 1948.
The “Sachem CSD #5” was centralized on April 21, 1955 and at this time the school was renamed “Gatelot Avenue School”.
Architect Daniel Perry introduced tremendous innovations into this school building, “design follows function”, including single-loaded corridors, with extensive window areas affording a fine view of the outdoor scenery. The primary grade classrooms were self-contained – each with its own bathroom and running water, 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 classroom doors, he designed glass display cases where students’ exhibited work 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 which explains the all wood construction. – Taken from the words of Walter C. Dunham
The name Gatelot comes from the constant reminder of adjacent farmers: “Close the Gate between the Lots” .
Dating back to before Sachem actually known as Sachem, Gatelot’s history is very well documented. Walter Dunham, Sachem’s original superintendent, chronicled the history of the building for a 50th anniversary celebration in the early 2000s.
In 1795, the New York State Legislature passed an act, which permitted citizens to gather for the purpose of erecting and maintaining elementary school buildings that were partially state funded.
In 1813, a land area of 3,854 acres near the north and east shores of Lake Ronkonkoma was created by Suffolk County officials to serve the elementary school aged pupils of Lake Grove and Lake Ronkonkoma. Its first public school building was located at “five corners”.
In 1913, this original building was replaced by a two-story frame building, built at the corner of Hawkins Avenue and School Street. The new building provided a full basement, four classrooms and two small offices, one for the principal and the other for the public health nurse and school physician.
On Midnight of Jan. 4, 1946, during Christmas recess, the building and its contents were destroyed in a fire. During this time, school board members from Lake Ronkonkoma and Holbrook were able to work together and allow students to take half-day sessions at the Union Avenue School until a new building was constructed.
Architect Daniel Perry of Port Jefferson was selected to construct a new building, which would be the first public school on Long Island built after World War II.
In September 1946, voters approved the board of education selection of a 10-acre site on Gatelot Avenue. Charles Hawkins was paid $7,400 for the location.
In February 1947, voters approved an agenda item, 115-44, to “erect a school building at a cost not to exceed $325,000.”
In March 1947, plans to open up the first kindergarten class were developed. Dunham traveled to Boston to interview candidates for the position of kindergarten teacher and Edith Huntley was selected for the position.
On September 14, 1948 the school officially opened.
