On June 12, students at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School in Oyster Bay welcomed parents and special guests to a patriotic sing-along on the school's back field – one of the first of what promises to be many celebrations leading up to the United States' 250th birthday.

Despite a scorching morning, the heat couldn't silence Theodore Roosevelt's singers. Under the direction of music teacher Brenda Murphy, students performed a collection of patriotic favorites just in time for Flag Day, including The Star-Spangled Banner, You're a Grand Old Flag, and America the Beautiful.

A community picnic originally scheduled for the same day was postponed to Monday, June 15 due to the heat.