Town of Hempstead Honors Barnum Woods Teacher

The Town of Hempstead presented a special "street" sign to Barnum Woods Elementary School in memory of fifth grade teacher, Richard Novarro, who died last year.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Gary Hudes presented the sign during a ceremony in honor of Novarro at Barnum Woods on Wednesday.

The sign will be hung in the hallway of the fifth grade wing of the school.

“Richard Novarro was an inspiration to many throughout his career,” Hudes said. “It is an honor to be able to present this sign to the school in his memory today.”

Novarro was instrumental in developing the school’s Character Education Committee, which promoted positive character education through assemblies, class projects and activities.

“Richard Novarro was known for his quick wit and his compassion for his students," Murray said. “He was more than a teacher for many of his students. He was an icon.”

Teacher Ethel Sobel said the sign will always be a symbol of Novarro's kind spirit.

“His sudden death has left us all in shock and we hope that his sign will be a constant reminder that he was once one of us,” she said.