Huntington School Briefs
J. Taylor Finley Junior High School was built over parts of 1964 and 1965 and opened in September 1965. It cost $3,048,000 to erect. The final payment on the 30 year bonds was made during the 1993/94 school year.
When it opened, Finley, which today is a middle school for seventh and eighth graders, featured 42 regular classrooms, 17 smaller classrooms, six larger classrooms, a gymnasium and cafeteria and large group instruction room. At one time or another Finley has housed students in grades 6-9.
Faculty Members Retiring
Jefferson Primary School special education teacher Susanne Kaczor and Huntington High School librarian Camille DeCanio have announced they will be retiring at the conclusion of the school year in June following long careers in the district.
Math Coordinators
In the wake of O. Wayne Edwards’ resignation last fall as the Huntington School District’s director of math, Huntington School Board members appointed Denise Grodzicki as the department coordinator at J. Taylor Finley Middle School. Monica Racz and Kathleen Aufiero were appointed as the math coordinators at Huntington High School. The faculty members will continue teaching their full complement of classes and will receive stipends for the additional coordinator duties.
Resignations and Leaves
Huntington High School English teacher Amy Goldberg has resigned her position, effective January 25. Food service driver Donald Perry resigned effective December 10. Huntington School Board members accepted both resignations at their meeting this past Monday night.
Flower Hill School speech teacher Yafit Lucas (February 1 – June 30), Washington School speech teacher Blake Woodworth (January 30 – June 30) and Flower Hill School classroom teacher Leticia Curthbertson (January 30 – April 19) were approved by trustees for child care related leaves of absence.
Woodhull School classroom teacher Susan Curtin (January 4), Huntington High School special education teacher Patricia Anson (February 1) and Jack Abrams School classroom teacher Victoria Creighton (February 1) were all approved to return from child care related leaves of absence.
State Delaying Payments
Governor David Paterson cited the state’s fiscal crisis in delaying aid to public school districts across New York, including $76,290 in aid to the Huntington School District, which was expecting to receive the monies in December.
The governor also delayed $1.8 million, or 19 percent, in STAR program payments to the district. “This has significant cash flow implications for this spring,” said David H. Grackin, assistant superintendent for finance and management services.
Cookie Exchange
A group of Jack Abrams Intermediate School faculty and support staff members exchanged home baked cookies in the run-up to the holidays. They shared favorite recipes and enjoyed nibbling on each other’s creations.
Making Piñatas at Washington
Washington Primary School first grade dual language program students recently participated in a piñata making workshop. “Professional piñata makers from the Centro Cultural Hispano of Oyster Bay came to the classroom and gave the children a brief history of the piñata tradition that began with the Maya in Mexico and was adopted by the Spanish, then becoming a tradition for birthday and special holiday celebrations throughout Latin America,” explained teacher Miriam Engle.
The youngsters worked cooperatively in pairs, learning how to decorate snowmen-shaped piñatas, which were later hung in their classroom.
Appreciating Bus Drivers
Bus Driver Appreciation Day at Jack Abrams Intermediate School allowed students there to recognize the folks that transport hundreds of youngsters each day. Students held colorful posters as the buses rolled in and some of the youngsters distributed flowers to the happy drivers who enjoyed the special recognition and attention on a cold winter’s day.
Winter Concert Wonderful
Huntington High School’s winter concert earned rave reviews. Joan Fretz, district director of fine and performing arts called it “amazing.” A large crowd of parents and students turned out for the series of performances.
“The orchestra and choir programs were so impressive,” Mrs. Fretz said. The new chorus director, Veronica Escamilla has been described as “very talented and charismatic” and she is quickly bringing students to new heights.
“The choir sang with such enthusiasm, it was infectious,” Mrs. Fretz said. Ms. Escamilla has a unique style and she has helped create a buzz about the choir in the school, as more students are seeking to become a part of it.
The orchestra played a wide variety of music, stretching from Beethoven to the pop tune “Yellow.” The orchestra has grown significantly “and is playing so professionally,” Mrs. Fretz said. “It is really remarkable.”
As is tradition, the concert concluded with Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus.
History Lesson
Robert K. Toaz Junior High School cost about $748,000 to erect, with the federal government covering a substantial percentage of the price tag. The district built a large addition to the structure in 1969/70 and renovated other existing areas. It also expanded the gymnasium. The cost of the work came to $2.230 million.
Toaz closed at the close of the school year on June 25, 1982. It was initially leased to the newly created Touro Law School, which later bought the building and grounds. The debt remaining from the 1969/70 construction was scheduled to be completely paid off during the 1984/85 school year.
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