Huntington School Briefs
The 2010/11 Woodhull Intermediate School PTA will be led by co-Presidents Pam Fallon and Julie LaBella. The slate of officers also includes Vice-Presidents Norma Gorecki and Debbie McGinniss, Treasurer Nancy DiGiacomo, Recording Secretary Sue Healy and Corresponding Secretary Susan Reilly.
Stephen Martinez and Deb Chin will serve as fifth grade historians. Lisa Curran, Deb Roday and Kathy Shea will be the sixth grade historians. Jennifer Reda, Sue Gerbavsits and Terri Ehrman are Woodhull's delegates to the district PTA Council.
Board of Education Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Huntington School Board will be held on Monday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jack Abrams School auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
Trustees Appoint Special Ed Teacher
Stephanie Fazio has been appointed to serve as a long-term substitute special education teacher at Huntington High School through January 28, 2011. She previously worked as a long-term Huntington sub from January-June, 2010.
Ms. Fazio earned a BA degree in sociology at SUNY Stony Brook in 2000 and obtained a MS degree in education at Dowling College in 2003. She worked as a special education teacher in the Middle County school district from September 2006 to June 2009. She was also a long-term sub in Middle Country (October 2005 to June 2006) and Connetquot (January-June 2005). In 2004, Ms. Fazio worked for two months as a summer school special education teacher in Shoreham-Wading River.
District officials reviewed seven applications, pre-screened five candidates and conducted four personal interviews before recommending Ms. Fazio for the post.
Trustees Retain Security Firm
Huntington School Board members have approved securing the services of Strategic Protection Group to engage in a security risk assessment of the district. The firm will be paid $8,500, inclusive of all expenses the company incurs.
Areas that will be reviewed in the assessment include:
- School emergency and crisis preparedness planning;
- Security crime and violence prevention policies and procedures;
- Physical security measures included access control, communications capabilities, intrusion detection systems, perimeter security, after hours security, physical design and many related areas;
- Professional development training needs related to school safety and emergency planning;
- Examination of support service roles in school safety, security and emergency planning, including facilities operations, food services, transportation services, pupil services, physical and mental health services, technology services and associated school departments;
- School security and school police staffing, operational practices and related services;
- Personnel and internal security;
- School-community collaboration, school and public safety agency partnerships and school-community relations issues on school safety.
New Finley Spanish Teacher
Jonathan Hernandez has been hired to work as a part-time Spanish teacher at J. Taylor Finley Middle School. He completed his student teaching requirements in the Huntington School District last spring.
Mr. Hernandez earned an AA degree in liberal arts at Suffolk Community College in 2008. He obtained a B.A. in Spanish adolescent education at SUNY Old Westbury earlier this year.
While he was in college, Mr. Hernandez observed bilingual inclusion classes in Westbury and Spanish classes in Huntington.
District officials reviewed 25 applications and interviewed three candidates prior to recommending Mr. Hernandez for the position.
Valerio Joins Art Faculty
Kim Valerio will be a part-time art teacher this year at Huntington High School, J. Taylor Finley Middle School and Southdown Primary School. She has previously worked as a substitute teacher in the Huntington, South Huntington and Harborfields school district since 2002.
Ms. Valerio holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Parsons School of Design and a Master's in art education from Long Island University.
Prior to coming to Huntington, she worked as an art teacher in Half Hollow Hills and as a computer art teacher in North Babylon. She has also worked as a summer art teacher at the Art League of Long Island.
District officials reviewed 300 applications, pre-screened 100 candidates and conducted 20 personal interviews before recommending Ms. Valerio for the position.
Drama Club Honorees
Huntington High School English teacher and drama club advisor Michael Schwendemann gave a humorous send-off to Lena Freed and Kirsten Freiman during the annual senior academic awards night festivities held this past June. Mr. Freed is headed to SUNY College at Geneseo and Ms. Freed will be attending SUNY College at Potsdam.
The two Class of 2010 members were among the top drama club participants. They were recognized with the Joe Samodi Award. As is traditional, Mr. Schwendemann used inside jokes and liberal references to drama club productions during his commentary prior to presenting the awards.
He said that Ms. Freed "first started her theatrical career at the high school as a 'plant' – as she would say – 'don't ask' – so I won't tell. Upon her arrival for auditions as a freshman I had no choice but to think 'Things are Looking Up' this 'Little Lamb' had a tiger's heart and during the last few years I learned what a 'Naughty Baby' she could be. She was always willing to do whatever I asked – play 'fish families' – 'Slap That Bass' – play ball in cup – hang 'Over the Bannister' or play 'Under the Bamboo Tree.' Whether playing Agnes, Agnes or Agnes – this girl 'got Gooch' and worked her way up from the 'basement' to become a star both figuratively and literally in 'Stage Door.' Indeed, if she is a 'plant' – she is an American beauty rose. Lena Freed, I'm 'Crazy for You.'"
Mr. Schwendemann said that Ms. Frieman "lit up the state from the start – surrounded by air of 'electricity' – some would think 'You Gotta Get a Gimmick' but this student succeeded through hard work and perseverance. The theatre can often toss 'Slings and Arrows' your way – 'Some People' might just give up – others say 'It's Nice Work If You Can Get It' and just maybe as I'm 'Bidin' My time' that director of mine will 'Let Me Entertain You.' Though always giving fine performances ranging from a cowgirl named 'Moose' with hygiene issues to a secretary attempting to convince her co-worker to 'never be jealous again,' she finally had her 'Once a Year Day' when she decided to 'Meet Me In St. Louis.' Her level of commitment to both the drama club and herself had 'Everything Coming Up Roses' and left the audience with picture perfect memories of what a high school musical should be. Kirsten Freiman, you truly are 'A Raving Beauty.'"
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