Flower Hill Filled with Anticipation for New School Year

Flower Hill Primary School has been serving the Huntington UFSD community since September 1954 and it’s just as important today at it was 71 years ago.

Cindy Siegel has been principal of Flower Hill Primary School since July 6, 2022. She came to Huntington UFSD after a successful nine year run as assistant principal at PS 250 – George Lindsey Elementary School in Brooklyn.

Flower Hill’s educational leader obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education at St. John’s University in 1995. Ms. Siegel earned a graduate degree in elementary school at Adelphi University in 1997. She studied educational administration and supervision at the College of St. Rose, obtaining her state certification as an administrator.

“As we begin the 2025/26 school year at Flower Hill Primary School, we are filled with excitement and anticipation for all the learning and growth that lies ahead,” Ms. Siegel said. “Our school is a vibrant community where curiosity, kindness and perseverance guide our work.”

Flower Hill was constructed along with its sister schools, Southdown and Washington in response to the “baby boom” that swelled Huntington UFSD’s enrollment during the postwar years. District officials thought it would be needed for about 20 years and would then be closed, but here we are now with Flower Hill just as vital as ever.

“This year, we will continue to strengthen our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports practices,” Ms. Siegel said. “PBIS helps us create a safe and supportive school culture where every child feels seen, valued, and ready to learn. By setting clear expectations and celebrating positive choices, we empower our students to build strong character and foster respect for themselves and others.”

Prior to assuming the position of assistant principal at George Lindsey Elementary School, Ms. Siegel was a math coach there for nine years, facilitating parent and faculty workshops, assisting with the implementation of the Super Saturday program, serving on the core inquiry team, creating assessment checklists for all grades, working with the technology specialist to acquire needed resources, mentoring new teachers and developing promotional criteria and testing.

“In addition, we are committed to cultivating a culture of perseverance,” Ms. Siegel said. “At Flower Hill, we believe that  working through challenges and never giving up are the keys to success. By encouraging students to embrace mistakes as opportunities to grow, we help them develop resilience and confidence that will serve them well beyond the classroom.”

Flower Hill’s teaching and support staff has always been outstanding and that remains so today. The faculty consists of a mix of veterans and more recent hires. The instructional team is committed to providing every student with exactly what they need to develop and thrive both in and out of classrooms.

“Another important focus this year will be strengthening home-school partnerships,” Ms. Siegel said. Families are a child’s first teachers, and together we can create powerful experiences that support both academic and social-emotional growth. Through consistent communication, family engagement opportunities, and shared celebrations, we look forward to working hand-in-hand with families  to ensure every child thrives.

The school’s student body looks like America, with a melting pot of family backgrounds represented. While the youngsters might be a very diverse group, they get along so seamlessly well with each other that it could easily bring tears to the eyes of an observer. No one sees any differences. They only see a classmate and friend.

“This  school year will be one filled with discovery, perseverance and growth,” Ms. Siegel said.