Ronald Vanni Principal from 1960 - 1986.
History of Bennett
Principals of Bennett
Jim Hart Principal from 1986- 1988.
Brian Lane Principal from 1988 - December 1992.
Dorothy Birmingham Principal from January-June 1993.
Laurie Cassel Principal from 1993 - 2007,
Gabriel Buono Principal from 2007 - 2026.
Through the Years
Back of the pamphlet of Bennett Elementary.
Volleyball in the gym.
Lunch in the All Purpose Room.
Basketball in the Gym.
Old pamphlet of Bennett Elementary.
Staff Yearbook page
Students painting in the hallway.
Photo of the whole Bennett Building.
New building photograph.
Mr. Vanni in front of the office.
Students on the front lawn.
Students playing a game in front of the school.
Recess out front of Bennett Elementary.
Maypole photograph.
A class of students out front of Bennett Elementary.
Before 1960
Onteora Record March 5, 1959 Petition to name new school for Reginald Bennett
Onteora Record September 1, 1960 Onteora Schools open September 8th
Onteora Record February 5, 1959 Onteora Board Notes
The problem of space pamphlet front.
The problem of space pamphlet inside.
The problem of space pamphlet back.
January 12, 1961 Dedicate Bennett School on Sunday.
Onteora Record September 24, 1959 Cooperative Educators Meet.
Onteora Record December 10, 1959 Bennett School to be completed in August.
Onteora Record September 10, 1959 Announce New Elementary Teachers at Onteora
1960- 1969
Bennett Elementary School as a new building.
French Club Mr. DiBiase as the advisor, Spanish Club Mrs. Weiderspiel as the advisor and Dramatic club with Mrs. Pattie and Mr. Hellenschmidt as the advisors
Suellen Miller became the school nurse in 1994 and retired in 2022.
Students danced around the Maypole
1961 Onteora Science Fair Winners
Keeping fit with physical education 1963-1964
1964-1965 Cafeteria and custodial staff, Mrs. Schlesinger, Mrs. Shutters, Mr. Gribbons, Miss. Knight and Mrs. Madsen
William Davidson entered Bennett Elementary School in September 1961
Mr. Argulewicz advisor for the Banner Club 1965-1966
1970- 1979
1970 Projection Club Mr. Hellenschmidt Advisor
Woodstock Times Poets in the School Program article
Woodstock Times Poets in the School Program 1979
Ms. Kathleen Robinson’s fourth grade class 1971-1972
Mr. Robert P. Vanni 1977 in the vestibule
1977 Needlepoint Club Ms. Rae Sobel Advisor
Hunting and Fishing Club. Mr. Wesley Kissel Advisor
Bennett School Faculty 1975
1979 Clubs - Art Services Club, Art Studio, Bennett Band and Bennett Banner Club.
1976 Cafeteria staff, Mrs. Stoutenburg, Mrs Vancore and Mrs. Paturel
1980 - 1989
Miss Donna Rose and Mrs. Margaret Dutcher as Secretaries in 1980
1981-1982 Yearbook Office Staff Page
Projector Club 1980 Mr. Rudy Hellenschmidt as advisor
Coin and Stamp Club in 1980 with Mr. Roger Jones as Advisor
Inside Outside Club 1981 Mr. J Webb Leonard as advisor
Calligraphy club in 1981 with Mr. George Defina as advisor
Band 1982 Mrs. Mary Leonard as Conductor.
Mr. Defina’s fifth and sixth grade class.
1990- 1999
Support Staff from 1998 Yearbook.
More support staff from 1998 Yearbook.
Webb Leonard at the Ashokan.
Mini Band’s yearbook photo.
Dedication to Mr. Roger Jones in 1990 Yearbook.
Jr. Olympics team’s yearbook photo.
Student Council’s 100 day project.
Class of 2001 yearbook page.
1992 Jazz Ensemble students.
March 1998 Vienna Austria Trip.
1992 Jazz Ensemble organized by Mary Leonard.
March 1998 Vienna Austria Trip with Mary Leonard.
1992 Jazz Ensemble.
2000- 2009
Community Service Club yearbook photos from 2006.
PBIS Team from 2009.
Nature Trail with Mr. Savatgy.
Kim Schiappa Bennett Graduate from 2003.
Science lab with Mr. Savatgy.
Giving to the school community program in 2008.
The gifted and talented program led by Ms. Joyce Wiodarczyk.
Dr. Laurie Cassel as principal in 2005.
Community Service Club yearbook photos from 2006.
Giving to the school community program in 2008.
Computer lab photos from 2009 with Mrs. Formont.
2010 - 2019
Students enjoying PE.
Students creating the mural in the main wing.
The library giraffe in 2011.
Spirit weeks from 2013.
Dodgeball and minion pictures from 2014.
Deputy Tom with students.
Mrs. VanBaren’s Class from 2015.
School Resource Officers give awards to students.
Superintendent McLaren and Principal Buono give awards to students.
Many photos from Computer lab in 2011.
2020-Present
Staff during Mummy Contest.
Mr. Buono with Gidget dressed as Gidget.
Mr. Buono gives remote announcements during Covid.
Staff wears pink for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Earth Day demonstration with Owl.
Fourth Grade Halloween costumes.
Bennett and Woodstock staff attend a K-3 Jubilee.
The entire school poses for a photo in May 2026