Huntington School Briefs
A group of Jefferson Primary School students used the recent winter recess to read, read and read. Principal Valerie Capitulo-Saide and the building’s reading department recognized the youngsters for completing the vacation reading logs.
The honorees included second graders Sujey Avila Zelaya, Kenneth Carranza Lagos, Nevin Maldonado, Raul Ortega-Salgado, Estiven Segovia-Ticas, Kenneth Cano Soto, Jennifer Garcia-Chavez, Alexandra Manzanares-Hernandez and Karolyna Roman; third graders Yenith Santos-Chavez, Marilyn Segovia-Ticas, Harry Cuadra, Evelin Rivas-Martinez, Cindy Alvarez and Stephanie Contreras-Garcia; fourth graders Yeslis Meza Umana and Soraya Ortega-Salgado.
Tentative Western Suffolk BOCES Charges
Western Suffolk BOCES has announced its tentative administrative and capital charges for the 2015/16 school year. The Huntington School District’s administrative assessment would increase from $182,491 to $184,913. Its capital assessment would rise slightly, from $123,264 to 123,318 for an overall jump of $2,475.
Western Suffolk BOCES expects to increase its administrative charges by 1.3 percent. It expects to increase tuition rates by 1.66 percent “or possibly less.” The charges are paid by the 18 component school districts.
Districts are billed for administrative and capital charges based upon a three year average of resident weighted average daily attendance.
Jefferson Math Challenge
The Jefferson Primary School Math Challenge of the Month is becoming really popular. Third and fourth graders complete the challenge on their own and submit their work to math teacher Susan Llanes.
Students must successfully answer a Common Core aligned math question and explain their mathematical thinking. Honorees are presented with math medals, pencils and a “special” prize during a small ceremony at the school.
Jefferson’s December Math Challenge award recipients include Andrea Mani-Munoz, Julia Danseglio and Lilianna LaVertu.
Arts in Education
The Huntington School District’s Arts in Education Committee is sponsoring a Theatre IV presentation of Jack and Beanstalk for primary school students in grades 1-3.
“This musical adaption is a rollicking retelling of the classic fairy tale,” states a summary of the hour-long production. “Join our modern day young hero as he uses his imagination to become the famous Jack from the book he is reading. As he spins the tale of trading the family cow for magic beans, you will watch the giant beanstalk grow and let your imaginations sour as our hero climbs through the clouds to meet an ill-tempered giant, find fabulous treasures and more adventures than you can shake a stalk at.”
Donation to District
Renaissance Downtowns has donated $508.78 to the Huntington School District to cover busing costs related to transporting Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School students to a web design workshop: Learning How to Code. The program is being coordinated through collaboration between the superintendent’s office, Renaissance Downtowns, Launchpad Huntington and St. Joseph’s College.
Non-District Resident Tuition Rates
The Huntington School Board has established 2014/15 tuition rates of $15,015 for non-resident secondary students and $16,642 for non-resident elementary students.
NYU-Tisch School of the Arts a Facility User
New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts has been approved to use Huntington School District facilities. The school plans to use a playground/drop-off area for a student film shoot on various January 2015 dates. It would also like to use indoor space to keep people associated with the project warm when they aren’t needed outdoors.
BOE Personnel Actions
Huntington School Board members approved numerous personnel moves at their meeting on January 12. The actions include:
• Increased the teaching assignment of RTI math instructor Samantha Ahrens.
• Approved long-term leave replacement assignments for teachers Jeanine Caras (librarian; Washington/Flower Hill), Katelyn LaMay (art; Huntington High School) and Amanda Wright (dual language; Woodhull).
• Approved J. Taylor Finley Middle School English teacher Kimberly Schiller’s return from a leave of absence.
• Approved the recall of ESL teacher Nadine Araoz from the district’s preferred eligible list.
• Approved the resignation/retirement of Finley art teacher Mark Belton and Washington School classroom teacher Diane Regan, effective June 30.
• Approved the retirement of Flower Hill food service worker Rita Aloe, effective January 8.
• Approved the resignation of Huntington High School stage manager Jason Mainville, effective January 1.
• Appointed Kenneth Cunningham acting head custodian of Woodhull School, effective January 5.
• Appointed Janine Johnson as a senior clerk typist in the ESL/World Language department office, effective January 13.
• Approved a leave of absence for Huntington High School special education aide Elizabeth Meoli, effective January 5.
• Approved salary schedule changes for teachers Catherine Fede and Karen Melara.
• Approved Christopher Helmle, Kyle Hummel, Kristen Nersesian, Lindsat Onsavage, Denise Raguzin and Jarrad Richter. They will be paid $100 per diem.
• Approved Margaret Otto and Margaret Creighton to work as per diem substitute clericals.
• Authorized Pelagia Dela Rosa and Lourdes Sagredo to provide up to 10 hours each of verbal translation services related to preparation for the sixth grade trip to Greenkill. They will be paid $35 per hour.
• Authorized Connie DeGrassi and Marlene McKenna to work as nurses during kindergarten registration.
• Authorized Kenneth Gilbert to work as a substitute stage crew manager during the 2014/15 school year. He will be paid $32.33 per hour.
• Authorized Anna-Maria Mehlrose and Anna Naccarato to work up to five hours each as aides related to the Woodhull School play.
• Authorized Victoria Petruzzelli and Trudy Somers to provide up to five hours each of chaperone services related to the Woodhull School play.
• Authorized Carmen Kasper (up to 10 hours) and Marybeth Robinette (up to 12 hours) of staff development workshops.
• Authorized the disposal of numerous pieces of equipment that are in either poor condition or damaged beyond repair. The items include numerous televisions and video cassette recorders, an overhead projector and laser disc player and a tuba.