Andrew McKenzie’s senior year is off to a great start at Huntington High School. The teenager has dived into his classes and is looking forward to continuing his participation in the Blue Devil track program.
“Courses I’m looking forward to are Advanced Placement Physics and AP Micro-Macros Economics,” Mr. McKenzie said. “I have never explored these topics and I’m excited to see how I feel about them. I hope I will enjoy both, and maybe even discover a path I had never thought of before.”
The teenager runs on Huntington’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track teams. “I am hoping to join sports as soon as they resume,” Mr. McKenzie said. “It’s been quite a pain to see my senior year sports seasons be taken and although the new seasons in January are shortened, I’m still looking forward to participating.”
Mr. McKenzie’s future plans are still taking shape. “I’m still engaged in the college process right now and am not quite sure about a career path or any specific colleges at the moment,” he said.
Senior Michael Gerardi Maps Out Future
Michael Gerardi’s senior year is underway at Huntington High School. The teenager is engaged in a credit bearing internship with technology teacher Brian Reynolds in the wood shop. He’s also especially looking forward to the English course Film and Short Story.
A longtime member of the Blue Devil baseball program, he can’t wait to take the field with the team when play resumes in May.
Mr. Gerardi is interested in sports management or possibly nutrition for a career as a dietitian. He is exploring the programs at various State University of New York colleges.
Superintendent’s Association Donates
The Suffolk County School Superintendents Association has donated 100 KN-95 masks, eight thermal temperature thermometers and 20 bottles of hand sanitizer to Huntington UFSD. The items have an estimated value of $640.
J. Taylor Finley Middle School PTA
The J. Taylor Finley Middle School PTA’s executive board is set. The leadership will consist of President Sara Baliber, Vice President Tina Evans, Corresponding Secretary Fidelia Zivkovic, Recording Secretary Rose Carusone and Treasurer Amy Plachta. Finley’s PTA Council Delegates are Mariam Murtaza and Allison Schirripa.
New Math Teacher Hired
Ethylyn Barrett has been appointed to work as a math teacher at Huntington High School. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in math at the University of Notre Dame and teacher certification at Saint Mary’s College. She earned a master’s degree in TESOL K-12 math at Adelphi University. She later study for her state administrative certification at Stony Brook University.
Prior to coming to Huntington UFSD, Ms. Barrett taught at Malverne, Brentwood, Abu Dhabi Education Council in the United Arab Emirates, St. Paul American School in Beijing, China, Nassau BOCES Adult Learning Center and Riverhead.
District officials reviewed 100 applications, pre-screened 54 candidates and conducted 25 interviews before recommending Ms. Barrett for appointment.
Shea Scully Appointed as a Teacher Assistant
Shea Scully has been appointed to work as a teacher assistant at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School and Woodull Intermediate School. She is a 2011 Huntington High School graduate.
Ms. Scully played soccer, basketball and lacrosse for the Blue Devils. She has coached JV basketball and lacrosse for Huntington in recent years.
Ms. Scully played lacrosse at the University of Bridgeport, where she earned undergraduate and graduate degrees. She is a certified elementary school teacher.
District officials interviews 15 candidates before recommending Ms. Scully for the position.
BOE Approves New Four-Year Nurses Contract
Huntington School Board members have approved a new four-year memorandum of agreement with the district’s nurses unit. The contract provides for two percent annual raises. It runs through June 30, 2024.
The two percent raises apply to the starting salary and periodic longevity payments. This year’s starting salary is $42,275. In the final year of the contract the starting salary will be $43,775. There are longevity payments in years five, 10, 15, 20 and 25. The maximum longevity payment in the 2020/21 school year is $4,545.
Long-Term Sub Approved for Jefferson School
Elle Chan has been appointed to work as a long-term substitute classroom teacher at Jefferson Primary School through February 22, 2021.
Ms. Chan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in childhood and special education from New York University and a Master of Arts degree in English language teaching from Trinity College.
Prior to coming to Huntington UFSD, Ms. Chan worked as a camp counselor at the Huntington YMCA, woodshop teacher and director of social and emotional welfare and house lead at Camp Greenwoods in Quiandaohu, Zhejiang, China, family programs educator at the New York Historical Society in Manhattan and research assistant in the ADAPT Centre at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.
District officials reviewed 80 applications, pre-screened 52 candidates and conducted 33 interviews prior to recommending Ms. Chan for appointment.
Retirements and Resignations
Huntington School Board members accepted three retirement requests and eight resignations at their public meeting last week.
Marybeth Robinette, the district’s director of mathematics K-6, instructional technology and assessment is retiring at the close of business on October 31.
Southdown Primary School speech therapist Shelley Stockner is retiring effective November 1.
Jefferson Primary School teacher aide Betty Thom is retiring effective October 20.
Teaching assistants Henry Beckford (Huntington High School) and Angela Sementilli (Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School and Woodhull Intermediate School) have resigned. Mr. Beckford’s resignation was effective September 2 while Ms. Sementilli left her post on September 4.
District Director of STEM Jill Johanson has resigned effective October 2. J. Taylor Finley Middle School special education teacher Danielle Frosch has resigned effective October 9.
Teacher aide Denise Digena (Huntington High School) and monitors Martha Harris (Jefferson Primary School), Colleen Perfetto (Flower Hill Primary School) and Vitaliya Soviero (Woodhull Intermediate School) have all resigned.
Long-Term Substitute English Teacher Appointed
Nicole Dubois-Grabkowitz has been appointed to work as a long-term substitute English teacher at Huntington High School through February 1.
Ms. Dubois-Grabowitz obtained an undergraduate degree in communication arts at St. John’s University and a master’s degree in teaching adolescent English at SUNY College at Old Westbury.
She has worked as a leave replacement English teacher in Patchogue-Medford and Locust Valley; as a summer school English teacher in East Meadow; as a writing specialist for the TOC grant program at SUNY College at Old Westbury and as an English teacher at Carle Place High School.
District officials reviewed 35 applications and conducted 20 interviews before recommending Ms. Dubois-Grabowitz for appointment.
Driver Education Program
The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on every aspect of life, including Huntington UFSD’s driver education program. The program is getting organized for the 2020/21 school year.
Huntington School Board members appointed Georgia D. McCarthy to serve as the program’s supervisor. Michael Marinello was tapped as an instructor for the fall and spring semesters. Patricia Quinn was appointed as a spring semester instructor.
Ashley Pimentel Appointed at Washington Primary School
Ashley Pimentel has been appointed to work as a long-term substitute classroom teacher at Washington Primary School, effective through December 4.
Ms. Pimentel obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood and childhood education) at SUNY Cortland. She previously worked as a permanent substitute teacher at West Middle School in Brentwood. She completed her state certification student teaching requirements at North Elementary School in Brentwood.
