Woodhull Intermediate School has a new principal, although he’s a familiar face around Huntington UFSD. Teachers, staff and students are all expecting an exciting year ahead with a hoped for gradual return to normalcy.
Scott Oshrin is Woodhull’s new principal after previously serving as Southdown Primary School’s educational leader. He’s thrilled to take on a new set of challenges. The district veteran has been working hard over the summer so that the year starts out on the right foot.
“The theme for Woodhull’s faculty and staff this year is ‘Kids Deserve It,’” Mr. Oshrin said. The school’s theme is the title of a popular book in educational circles and one that resonates with the building’s new principal.
“Teachers were gifted with the book by authors Todd Nesloney and Adam Welcome as a welcome back present,” Mr. Oshrin said. “Every child deserves a teacher who goes above and beyond to motivate and inspire their students. Our staff will discuss themes from the book throughout the school year. Every decision or initiative we put in place will be guided by the philosophy that kids deserve our best every day.”
Woodhull teachers have been popping into the building for several weeks, setting up their rooms and stopping into Mr. Oshrin’s office to say hello.
Woodhull has been serving the Huntington UFSD community for decades. Originally scheduled for completion in September 1967, Woodhull Elementary School opened many months ahead of schedule on Monday, January 30 of that same year. It cost $1.325 million to erect. The bond that funded construction was paid off during the 1994/95 school year.
Roosevelt Elementary School, which was located on Lowndes Avenue to the south of the current Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School, closed for good on Friday, January 27, 1967. All of its students, faculty and staff moved over to Woodhull the following Monday. Robert Fitzgerald was Roosevelt’s last principal and Woodhull’s first.
Mr. Oshrin has quickly settled into his new building. He spent the summer mastering everything there is to know about the school and developing the master schedule for teachers and students.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to get to know this outstanding group of educators,” Mr. Oshrin said. “We have a dedicated faculty and staff that are eager to meet their students. We will work with the PTA to beautify our school, engage our community and provide enriching opportunities for our students.”
Woodhull faculty and staff members plan to recognize one student from each class as Eagle of the Month this year. “These students will have their names posted on a bulletin board; a certificate will be sent home to their parents and they will be honored in a monthly video message from me,” Mr. Oshrin said. “Homeroom teachers will select students who are kind, helpful and positive role models to their peers. I look forward to honoring many of our Woodhull students.”
More than 54 years after it first opened, Woodhull School is still serving the needs of the community.