Huntington School Briefs
J. Taylor Finley Middle School eighth graders will participate in a moving up ceremony on Wednesday, June 22 at 7 p.m. in the Huntington High School auditorium. There are 354 eighth graders at Finley this year.
Plans call for the group to walk into the auditorium for the processional as classical music is played. Principal John Amato and guidance counselor Phil Lowe will be on the stage and summon each student individually to receive their respective certificate.
Eighth graders who have earned academic commendations or community awards will also be recognized at the event. The ceremony will close with a video montage of photos set to music, which will highlight the year's activities. The video has been produced by students themselves.
The PTA will provide refreshments in the lobby and outside in the school's front area.
Retirement Party for Joanne Holsclaw
A retirement party in honor of Woodhull Intermediate School teacher Joanne Holsclaw will be held on Wednesday, June 22 from 5-9 p.m. at The Harbor Club in Halesite.
The party will feature a variety of refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, a dinner buffet, dessert, coffee and tea. Tickets are on sale for $60 (includes gift) through June 3. Call Angela Turner or Cynthia Vitulli 673-2030 for more information.
Southdown's Field Day
After raining for day-after-day, the skies brightened as if on cue for Southdown Primary School's annual field day. This year's theme was "surfing at Southdown."
"The relays were as traditional and fun as the Beach Boys music," Southdown Principal Michelle Marino said. There was a water relay, cooperative hula hoop relay, chair lift, three-legged relay, 50-yard dash and wheel barrow race. Of course the day would not have been complete without the four-way tug of war.
Physical education teachers Theresa Matthews and Chris Taylor organized and facilitated the entire day. "It was a great success," Mrs. Marino said.
Patricia Dillon to be Honored
Huntington High School librarian Patricia Dillon will be honored by the South Huntington Educational Foundation at the group's 14th annual golf outing and dinner on Thursday, July 7 at Timber Point golf course in Great River.
Mrs. Dillon will be feted at a 7 p.m. dinner following a day of golf. She is a one of the bedrocks of the South Huntington community, serving four terms on the South Huntington School Board and filling a variety of PTA leadership positions. She is currently a member of the district's audit committee and is on the board of directors of the SHEF.
Call (631) 812-3051 to reserve a seat at the dinner or for more information.
John J. Finello's Retirement Party
A retirement party in honor of Huntington Superintendent John J. Finello is planned for Wednesday, June 29 at 4:30 p.m. at The Head of the Bay Club in Huntington Bay. The affair will include a variety of delicious hors d'oeuvres, appealing desserts, coffee and tea and a cash bar. Tickets are on sale for $50 per person, which includes a gift.
A number of town, county and state officials are expected to attend, along with former and current Huntington School Board members, administrators, teachers, family and friends.
To reserve a ticket, RSVP by June 15 to Liz Troffa at Huntington UFSD, PO Box 1500, Huntington, NY 11743. (Please make check payable to Jill Miranda.)
Huntington Foundation to Honor Michelle Marino
The Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education will honor Southdown Primary School Principal Michelle Marino with the group's Spirit Award at the 19th Annual Reach for the Stars fundraising gala on Friday, January 20, 2012 at the elegant Woodlands in Woodbury.
This marks Mrs. Marino's 28th year in education, 27 of which have been spent in Huntington. She graduated in 1979 from Long Island University - C.W. Post College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art education and earned a Master of Science in elementary education in 1989 from Dowling College, where she also obtained her certification in school administration in 1994. She is certified to teach nursery school through sixth grade, K-12 art and English-as-a-Second Language (ESL).
"This honor, the Spirit Award, means a tremendous amount to me," said Mrs. Marino, who is widely known as Shelly. "It's been 28 years of pure joy doing what I love most and being a part of this amazing school district! Although I have experienced a tremendous amount of changes that have challenged all of us, these challenges have never tarnished my enthusiasm or pride for this profession."
Planning for the winter gala is already well underway. The evening will feature cocktails, music, dancing, dinner, raffles, silent and live auctions and much more. Tickets will go on sale in the fall. Seating will be limited.
The Foundation is inviting individuals and companies to participate in the festive gathering by purchasing journal ads, donating goods or services to be auctioned off or by making monetary contributions. For more information about the opportunities that exist call Karen Dwyer at (631) 421-4037.
Keddell Headed to SUNY Brockport
Huntington High School senior Christopher Keddell is headed to Suny-Brockport in the fall to study chemistry. He has built an outstanding academic record as well as playing on the Blue Devil football team and being a cellist in Huntington's orchestra.
What's the secret to his success? "Putting academics before extracurricular activities and having good support at home," Mr. Keddell said.
Planning Board Application
The Huntington Planning Board has notified the Huntington School District it has received a subdivision application known as Flaherty Plat, located on the southwest corner of Nassau Road and Central Parkway. "The application proposes to subdivide the subject property into two residential lots," wrote planning aide Colleen Walsh-Jordan in a letter to Huntington Superintendent John. J. Finello.