Finley Middle School

A school is much more than bricks and mortar or a compilation of facts and information. At J. Taylor Finley Middle School, faculty and support staff members have purposely created a student-centered environment that is academically challenging, psychologically satisfying, and socially fulfilling.

Because the adolescent period is an extremely important phase in every youngster’s development, the middle school plays a vital role in helping each student blossom into an independent and well-educated person.

Finley relies on its excellent staff to ease students into and to guide them through this very critical transition from a self-contained elementary school classroom to a departmentalized program. Faculty members are aware of the importance of a close teacher-student relationship and of teacher-parent contacts. They foster growth in the ability of students to make decisions and to work independently. Teachers utilize a humanistic approach as they encourage and challenge students to set realistic and attainable standards of academic performance and social interaction.

J. Taylor Finley Middle School has developed a program to build upon and emphasize the strong foundation of skills each student has acquired at the elementary school level, to pursue further the many different academic disciplines, to explore the creative and aesthetic areas of the fine and practical arts, to expand the awareness of career possibilities and to cultivate lifelong physical and recreational skills.

Flexibility, individualization and enrichment characterize the wide range of student experiences at J. Taylor Finley Middle School, which has been serving the community for more than four decades.

Finley opened in September 1965. It sits on 20 acres of land and is named after a legendary figure in district history. After teaching math and physics at Huntington High School for one year, J. Taylor Finley was named principal of Woodbury Avenue Elementary School (which is now a condominium complex) for the 1930 school year. In 1939, he became principal of Lincoln Elementary School (now an apartment complex) on East 9th Street in Huntington Station, across the street from St. Hugh of Lincoln Church. He worked as principal of both schools until October 15, 1943 when he was named principal of Robert K. Toaz Junior High School.

Mr. Finley stayed on as principal of Toaz through the 1954 school year. At that time he was elevated to assistant superintendent of schools and was named superintendent of schools in 1957, a position he held until his retirement on June 30, 1963.

The Huntington Board of Education voted December 8, 1964 to officially name the district’s new junior high school on Greenlawn Road after Mr. Finley in recognition of his 34 years of service to the schools and community. “The Board of Education and all of your friends here in Huntington send their best regards,” Superintendent Charles T. St. Clair wrote in a December 9 letter to Mr. Finley informing him of the school board’s action.

Mr. Finley passed away October 3, 1975. He is buried in the family plot at Pompton Plains Reform Church Cemetery in New Jersey.

Since the school’s opening, Finley students have won every possible academic honor and the school has earned countless awards for excellence. Over the years it has been listed among the best middle schools in Suffolk and the state.

Traci Roethel

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Traci Roethel has been principal of J. Taylor Finley Middle School since July 1, 2019. She was Woodhull Intermediate School’s principal for 5½ years after coming to Huntington from Candlewood Middle School in Dix Hills, where she was an assistant principal.

Mrs. Roethel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education at Stetson University in Florida in 1992. She obtained a Master of Science degree in education with a specialization in math at Queens College in 2003 and completed an advanced graduate certificate in educational leadership at Stony Brook University in 2009.

Mrs. Roethel has completed numerous educational workshops related to curriculum and improving instruction, including Columbia University Teacher’s College seminars.

Prior to embarking on an administrative career, Mrs. Roethel worked as a sixth grade math teacher and fourth grade classroom teacher in Oyster Bay and as a math consultant to the Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Shoreham-Wading River and Hicksville school districts. She was a fourth grade teacher in Volusia County, Florida for seven years before moving to New York.

Mrs. Roethel and her husband, Guenther, a captain with JetBlue Airways, are the parents of three children.

Mrs. Roethel is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Kenneth Parham

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J. Taylor Finley Middle School Assistant Principal Kenneth C. Parham came to Huntington from the Bay Shore school district where he worked for many years as a fifth grade teacher and later as dean of students.

As a fifth grade teacher, Mr. Parham instructed accelerated mathematics classes. He possesses computer literacy in a variety of software programs. Around Finley’s hallways and classrooms, he is a very visible leader and strong personality known for his wit and wisdom and general sense of humor.

Mr. Parham received his undergraduate degree in history with a minor in education at Dowling College in 1992. He obtained a master of science in school counseling at Long Island University–C.W. Post in 1997 and earned a certificate of advanced study in educational administration at Stony Brook University in 2005.

Mr. Parham has coached the Bay Shore men’s varsity basketball team to numerous league titles and the Suffolk championship in 2004. He has been voted coach of the year many times. He was also the Bay Shore women’s varsity basketball coach for two seasons.

Upon his own high school graduation, he initially attended the University of Texas at El Paso on a basketball scholarship before eventually transferring to Dowling and finishing his playing career there.

Mr. Parham has also coached basketball at St. Anthony’s, Huntington and New York Institute of Technology.

1. Engaging in any willful act which disrupts the normal operation of the school community will not be permitted. The following behaviors will not be tolerated at Finley Middle School. The following disruptive or otherwise inappropriate behaviors in school buildings, on school grounds, on school buses or any school-sponsored activity including those at non-school locations may result in suspension from school. (Inappropriate behaviors are not limited to these items.)
1. Fighting, assault or physical abuse or hazing.
2. Use of profanity, abusive or obscene language or gestures when directed at a staff member or loud enough to be heard in class or the building.
3. Distribution, attempt to distribute, possession with intent to distribute, use, possession or sale of drugs, alcohol, other controlled illegal substances or obscene material.
4. Distribution, attempt to distribute, use, possession of, sale of weapons, firearms, knives, stink bombs, smoke bombs, explosives, firecrackers or fireworks, or facsimile of a weapon or dangerous implement of any kind.
5. Smoking, use of tobacco in school buildings, or on school grounds or school buses.
6. Wearing gang-related items.
7. Vulgar, abusive, profane or threatening language, actions or harassment whether verbal, written or by electronic device.
8. Theft, vandalism or destruction of property.
9. Insubordination.
10. Extortion.
11. Robbery.
12. Violent, disruptive behavior.
13. Lying.
14. Academic dishonesty including plagiarism, cheating, copying, altering records or assisting another student in any of these items.
15. Gambling.
16. Verbal, physical or sexual harassment.
17. Arson.
18. Tampering with fire alarms or extinguishers.
19. False reporting of fire alarms, fire report/bomb threat, other catastrophes or misuse of 911.
20. Disrobing oneself or another person.
21. Any other conduct which endangers the health, safety, morals or welfare of others.
2. Each time a student is sent to the Time Out Room a letter will be sent home explaining the reason the student had to be removed from the classroom.
3. Students arriving at school inappropriately dressed will be required to change before being admitted to class. In appropriate cases, any lost instructional time will have to be made up after school. Appropriate dress shall:
1. Be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the educational process.
2. Recognize that extremely brief garments such as tube tops, net tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, plunging necklines (front and/or back) and see-through garments are not appropriate.
3. Ensure that underwear is completely covered with outer clothing.
4. Include footwear at all times. Footwear that is a safety hazard will not be allowed.
5. Not include items that are vulgar, obscene, libelous or denigrate others on account of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
6. Not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs and/or encourage illegal or violent acts.
4. Hats and coats must be kept in the students lockers except when used to go outside during lunch periods. Hats and coats will not be permitted in classrooms, shops, offices, and auditorium or gymnasium. Hats brought in these rooms will be confiscated and will be returned at the end of the school day.
5. Personal listening devices like Walkman, stereos, CD players, video cameras, electronic games, portable radios, skateboards, beepers, portable telephones or other electronic devices are not permitted in school. Such items will be confiscated until your guardian comes to school to identify and claim them. Lacrosse sticks, baseball bats and athletic equipment must be stored in the student's locker or the athletic room office during the school day. Equipment not stored properly will be confiscated and will be returned at the end of the school day or, in certain cases, after a conference with the parents.
6. Passes will be strictly limited and are restricted to written paper passes only. Students should attempt to use lavatories, lockers, or water fountains, etc. during the passing time between class periods. Passes will not be issued to students to go to lockers or water fountains during class periods. Students must get a pass from their classroom teacher before visiting the school nurse, Guidance, Attendance or Main Office. Violators may lose their pass privileges and may be subject to disciplinary action.
7. When a student arrives at school in the morning, he/she may not leave school grounds until he/she walks home or takes a school bus home at the end of the school day. Any student who leaves school grounds during these times will be considered as cutting.
8. Local stores are off limits during the school day and during any time when the student remains after the normal school day for extra help, clubs, dances, etc., and before and during athletic events that occur on school days.
9. Running in the halls is dangerous. Students must walk in our halls.
10. Telephone usage during the school day is restricted to emergency calls to parents only.
11. An unauthorized absence from class will be considered to be a cut. Students who cut a class or classes will be assigned to detention to make up these classes after school. Excessive cuts or absences may result in other academic or disciplinary action being taken by the District.
12. Students may not sell or distribute candy, property, food, etc, in school or on school grounds. Any student who is involved in a charitable effort to raise funds must have formal written approval from the Principal or Assistant Principal prior to selling chances, tickets, etc.
13. Vandalism or destruction of school property will not be tolerated. The student and his/her parents will be required to repair or replace the damaged property and the student may be subject to additional disciplinary action by the District.
14. A student who is absent from school or arrives late to school must sign-in at the Attendance Office. It is the student's responsibility to bring a parent note explaining the absence or lateness to the Attendance Office. It is the student's responsibility to arrive in class on time and, if a pattern of latenesses continues, the student will have to make up the time after school hours.
15. Students are permitted to stay after school to get extra help from a teacher, participate in club activities or intramurals. During this time the student may not leave school grounds. Students who stay after school must have an express and legitimate purpose for being in the building and may not hang around the halls including waiting for athletic events. Violators may serve detention and possibly lose their after-school privilege and/or be subject to disciplinary action by the District.
16. The Student Council sponsors dances after school from time to time. All school rules are in force during this time. No school transportation is provided and it is the student's responsibility to arrange for post-dance transportation prior to the dance. Students may not leave a dance and return later. Students who do not behave properly during a dance will not be permitted to attend future dances.
17. Except during special classroom functions, food and beverages may only be consumed in the cafeteria. Vending machines are available in the cafeteria but may be used only during the student's lunch period and after school. All items purchased in the cafeteria must be consumed in the cafeteria. Food or beverages brought out of the cafeteria will be confiscated.
18. Students are expected to behave in a courteous and safe manner on school buses. All school rules apply on the buses. Riding a school bus is a privilege and violators may lose their privilege of riding the bus and may be subject to disciplinary action by the District.