Huntington School Briefs
"Graduating" J. Taylor Finley Middle School eighth graders garnered many academic honors in the closing days of the 2011/12 school year. Andrew Gunthner, Ekaterina Koulakova, Bailey Riordan and Landary Rivas are recipients of Outstanding Achievement in Chorus Awards.
Summer Hushion, Sam Latt, Elisa Medina-Jaudes and Jessica Straub were presented with Outstanding Achievement in Orchestra Awards. Aaron Feltman, Alexandra Koumas and Justin Meyer received Outstanding Achievement in Earth Science Awards.
Edward Garay-Portillo, Jack Gordon and James Walsh earned Outstanding Achievement in Physical Science Awards. Thomas Dayton, Nancy Fallon, Ripley Mars Jack O'Heir, Sabrina Palacios and Emily Shutman received Outstanding Achievement in Social Studies Awards.
Night School/Alternative Education Update
Huntington School Board members have been provided with an update of the Huntington High School night school/alternative education program. During the 2011/12 school year, 40 students were enrolled in the program. A total of 11 classes were offered and 59 final grades were earned. Students passed 78 percent of their classes.
During the 2010/11 school year, 27 students were enrolled in the program. A dozen classes were offered and 32 final grades were earned. Students passed 63 percent of their classes.
During the most recent school year, 32 Regents exam were taken by night school students and 18 were passed. A year earlier, 17 Regents tests were taken and nine were passed.
The 2011/12 course selection included English 9, 10, 11, Global History 9, 10, US History, Participation in Government, Economics, Living Environment, Earth Science and Integrated Algebra.
TRS Contribution Rate
The Huntington School District has been informed by the New York State Teachers Retirement System that the employer contribution rate will be 11.84 percent of 2012/13 school year salaries. The set rate matches the one the Huntington School Board used during its development of the current school year's budget.
The district has been told that it is anticipated the 2013/14 TRS rate will be higher than the 2012/13 rate. The TRS intends to send out an estimated rate notice in early November.
Heimbach Appointed Latin Teacher
The Huntington School Board has appointed Kristen Heimbach as a part-time (.8) Latin teacher. She will work at Huntington High School, J. Taylor Finley Middle School and Nathaniel Woodhull Intermediate School.
Ms. Heimbach obtained a BA degree in Latin education from the University of Delaware in 2009. She has pursued graduate level coursework in ESL instruction and curriculum at Kean College.
Ms. Heimbach has been a full-time Latin teacher (grades 9-12, AP Level 1) in the Rutherford, New Jersey public schools since 2009.
Huntington School District officials reviewed 20 applications and conducted four personal interviews prior to recommending Ms. Heimbach for the position.
Former Teacher Aide Passes Away
Former Huntington School District teacher aide Winifred Staudenmaier (nee Street) has passed away. She was 89. A lifelong resident of Huntington, she was a member of Huntington High School's Class of 1941 and earned a degree at New York University.
Mrs. Staudenmaier served in the WAVES during World War II. She later participated in a variety of community service, charitable and political activities, including serving as a local PTA president, national PTA delegate and with St. John's Church, Women's Club of Huntington and the Huntington Historical Society.
Mrs. Staudenmaier is survived by her husband of 59 years, Harold, three children and three grandchildren. A service was held at St. John's Episcopal Church and interred at Huntington Rural Cemetery.
Huntington Awareness Day
The annual Huntington Awareness Day – Unity in the Community Parade & Fair will be held on Saturday, September 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the commuter parking lots along New York Avenue in Huntington Station. The Huntington High School Blue Devil marching band will perform in the parade.
The event will include food, games, attractions and family fun. The parade will kick-off on New York Avenue at E. 15th Street and end at the Church Street fairgrounds. For more information call (631) 425-2640 or visit www.huntingtonawareness.org.
Moriarty Appointed Math Teacher
The Huntington School Board has appointed David Moriarty as a part-time (.8) math teacher. He will work at Huntington High School.
Mr. Moriarty earned a BA degree in mathematics at Union College in 2006 and a MS degree in secondary mathematics at Cambridge College in 2011. He was a full-time high school math teacher in the Chelmsford Public Schools in Massachusetts from September 2006 through June 2012.
Huntington School District officials reviewed 425 applications, conducted 20 pre-screening with candidates and 10 personal interviews prior to recommending Mr. Moriarty for the position.
NSSBA Resolutions Dinner
The Huntington School Board is expected to be represented at the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association's 2012 resolutions dinner meeting on Thursday, October 4 at the Fox Hollow in Woodbury. David Little, director of governmental relations for the New York State School Boards Association will speak on "A Promise Made is a Debt Unpaid." The evening will feature a discussion on a variety of resolutions that will be taken up at the NYSSBA annual business meeting.
Next BOE Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Huntington School Board is scheduled for Monday, August 27 at 7 p.m. in the J. Taylor Finley Middle School large group instruction room, as that building's auditorium is known. The public will be given an opportunity to address the trustees. The meeting's agenda and related materials will be available on the district's website (www.hufsd.edu) prior to the meeting.
Budget Transfers Approved
Huntington School Board members approved two budget transfers near the end of their public meeting on Monday, August 6. A $3,000 transfers was approved to cover contract services related to a new copy machine at Huntington High School. A $1,225 transfer was also approved to fund the purchase of kindergarten grade level Treasures Reading student activity packages at Washington Primary School.
Italian National Exam
Incoming Huntington High School junior Sheila Cruz placed third on her level on the American Associated of Teachers of Italian national exam this past year. She earned a $50 stipend for her outstanding performance. "She was very excited and surprised," Huntington Italian teacher Sylvia Gilbert said. "We also had several students that won honorable mention recognition."
Mileage Reimbursement Authorization Approved
Huntington School Board members authorized 14 additional employees to receive mileage reimbursement for district related travel between buildings. The individuals include Jessica Medina, Elizabeth Casazza, Alice Pancir, Gina Molvaut, Deidre Mayer, Wilson Douce, Claudia Gonzalez, Jennifer Marsh, Megan Himmelmann, Kristin Murphy, Nicole Lynch, Leslie Pond, Debra Ruvo and Christine Renzulli.
Donation Accepted
Huntington School Board members accepted a $100 donation by Astoria Federal Savings. The funds will be used in the high school photography program. The donation is the result of one of photography teacher Pamela Piffard's students, Marie Clifford, winning an award in Astoria Federal's teen photo contest.
Whitsons Awarded Bid
Huntington School Board members have awarded a bid for district food services during the 2012/13 school year to Whitsons Culinary Group, which was the lowest responsible bitter. As part of the bid process, district officials held a "walkthrough" of the food services facility at Huntington High School with an open question and answer period for any bidder inquiries.