Huntington School Briefs
The Washington Primary School community hosted a retirement dinner at Restaurant Joanina in Huntington village in honor of second grade teacher Diane Regan, who wrapped up a three-decade long career last week.
Mrs. Regan’s family along with Principal Marsha Neville, teachers and aides and even many retired faculty members turned out for the affair. The crowd dined on fresh mozzarella with vine ripe tomatoes and basil, mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette and shave pecorino Romano and a choice of filet of sea bass topped with fresh herbs and bread crumbs and baked with white wine and lemon; breaded breast of chicken topped with chopped tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil or penne pasta, sautéed vegetables, garlic and virgin oil. Cannoli cake was served for dessert.
Mrs. Regan served at several schools in the district. Mrs. Neville and several faculty colleagues spoke, offering some humorous anecdotes and touching remembrances.
Donations Accepted
Huntington School Board members accepted several donations to the district this spring.
• Resident Rob Wheeler donated 917 books with a value of $600 for use in the summer reading program for at-risk students.
• Peg Howard, owners of Naturescapes, a Centerport based landscaping business, donated a tree and the labor to plant it in memory of 2007 Huntington graduate Justin Giani. The tree has been planted at Huntington High School. The donation is valued at $450.
• The Huntington Booster Club donated a flowering pear tree valued at $100 in memory of 2012 Huntington graduate John Bosco. The tree has been planted at Huntington High School.
• Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Bendernagel, community residents, donated $20 to the Huntington High School boys’ lacrosse team on behalf of a Town of Huntington employee.
• District resident Anthony Morales donated an HP laptop to the Huntington High School library. Its value is estimated at $304.14.
Trustees Approve Personnel Actions
Huntington School Board members approved numerous personnel actions at their final two public meetings of the 2014/15 school year. Trustees granted tenure to Natalee Schaeffer (physical education teacher), Valerie Capitulo-Saide (Jefferson Primary School principal), Nancy Wilson (director of special education and student support services), Renee Jones-Vaughans (chairperson of special education) and Diana Rich (chairperson of special education).
Trustees also took the following actions:
• Accepted the resignation of Assistant Superintendent for Business Sammy Gergis, effective June 19.
• Appointed Jeremy Coley, Frank Gagliardi, James Valentin and Guy White as district custodians.
• Appointed Ana Chavez DeRodezno, Roseann Sarducci and Araceli Espinal as food service workers.
• Appointed Estela Velez as a clerk typist in the high school guidance office.
• Appointed Elyssa Feliciano-Keefe as a teacher aide at Flower Hill School.
HHS Retirement Party
The Huntington High School community sent Carmela Leonardi, Melissa Alessio, Patricia Dillon, Lawrence DiMattei, Carmen Kasper, Carmela Mastragostino, Florence Walter and Amy Worth into their respective retirements in style with a splendid party at the Larkfield in East Northport.
A crowd of more than 200 current and retired faculty members, family and friends turned out for the affair. Guests dined on a first course of fresh mozzarella and tomato with mixed greens; a second course of rigatoni pomodoro; entrée choices consisting of a New York shell steak served with merlot reduction sauce, chicken stuffed with mozzarella and spinach, sesame salmon topped with teriyaki glaze or a vegetarian option. There was coffee and cake for dessert.
Washington PTA Volunteer Reception
The Washington Primary School PTA held a reception for volunteers last week. The crowd dined on sandwiches, pizza and salads in the school library. Next year’s executive board members were sworn into office. Many parents brought along their children, who enjoyed playing with one another after they finished eating. Principal Marsha Neville and several teachers also attended the reception.
Huntington Foundation Reports
The Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education awarded 14 Star grants worth $40,485 during the 2014/15 school year and five mini-grants totaling $5,174. The organization also awarded a $1,000 scholarship to graduating senior Noor Zahid, who is headed to Nassau Community College in the fall.
Now in its 22nd year of existence, the Huntington Foundation is closing in on $1 million in grant awards to Huntington School District teachers/programs.
Principals for a Day at Washington
Washington Primary School first grader Ruby Baliber and second grader Kaylee Smalling were Principals for a Day after winning contests earlier in the year. The two young ladies shadowed Principal Marsha Neville during parts of the day, handling main office duties and touring through the building. One of the best aspects of the job came when the girls informed classes they were granting them extra recess time. That sure made the duo popular around the school.
Key Club Executive Board Set
The Huntington High School Key Club is all set for the 2015/16 school year. The organization will be led by executive board members Samantha Conte (president), Marlem Tellez (vice president), Emily Shutman (treasurer), Miranda Nykolyn (secretary) and Ripley Mars (webmaster).
Trustees Award Bids
Huntington School Board members awarded numerous bids this spring. The bid awards include:
• Winter Brothers Hauling of LI as awarded a bid in the amount of $59,888 for refuse removal during the 2015/16 school year. Dumpsters of various sizes will be provided at an additional cost ranging from $325 for 10 cubic yards to $725 for 40 cubic yards. Two vendors responded to the bid request.
• A request for proposals for actuarial services during 2015/16 was awarded to Milliman, Inc. in the amount of $8,500. One vendor submitted a response to the RFP.
• A request for proposals for home tutoring services during 2015/16 resulted in seven vendors submitting responses. Syosset Home Tutoring ($40 per hour) and Creative Home Tutoring ($40 per hour) are the first and second choices, respectively.
• The district awarded the Family Service League with 106 slots for universal pre-kindergarten services in 2015/16. Developmental Disabilities Institute was awarded 18 slots. The district receives state funding that covers 124 slots.
• Bug Fighters, Etc., Inc. was awarded a bid for integrated pest management in 2015/16. Two vendors submitted bids.
• FV Sterns & Sons, Inc. was awarded the bid for maintenance of kitchen equipment during 2015/16. The company will charge $75 per hour and provide materials at 25 percent off the catalogue price. The company was the only vendor to submit a bid.
• Apex Therapeutic Services, Horizon Healthcare, Interim Healthcare of Greater NY and Health Source Group were awarded an RFP for nursing services during the 2015/16 school year. The firms will charge between $375 and $464 per day for a registered nurse; between $280 and $344 per day for a licensed practical nurse; between $152 and $200 for a certified nurses’ aide. The district attempts to use the lowest bidder subject to availability. Six vendors submitted responses to the district’s request for proposals.
• Apex Therapeutic Services, Metro Therapy, New York Therapy Placement Services and Kathy Schutzer, OTR/L were awarded an RFP for occupational and physical therapy services during the 2015/16 school year. Eight responses were received to the district’s RFP.
• Any Part of Huntington won the bid to provide the district with auto parts during the 2015/16 school year. The company will charge 55 percent off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. One bid was received by the district.
• B&H Photo ($5,311.30) and Inter-Mares Trading Co. ($510) won bids for art supplies during the 2015/16 school year.
• Tobay Printing, Inc. won the bid for the printing of the district newsletter in 2015/16. The company will charge various rates depending upon the number of pages and whether the publication will be printed in color or black and white. Four companies submitted bids.
• eSchool Data won the bid for on-site computer support during the 2015/16 school year. The company, which was the lone bidder, will be paid $125 per hour.