School Notebook: Farmingdale, Huntington PTAs are PARP winners

The PTAs at Stanley D. Saltzman East Memorial Elementary School in Farmingdale and Flower Hill Primary School in Huntington were recently recognized for their creativity in encouraging a love of reading.

The groups won the Nassau and Suffolk county titles, respectively, in this year's Pick a Reading Partner program, which is a literacy initiative sponsored by the New York State PTA. The program asks adults to read with children for at least 20 minutes daily.

Saltzman's PARP theme, Read S'more at Camp SEM, featured activities such as a family camp-out night in which teachers read books to students and their relatives surrounded by decorations like tents and fires made of tissue paper. Other activities included a Book Bingo night and a living history museum in which kids dressed as historical figures and recited facts about them.

"The PARP theme worked so well because it was so engaging," Saltzman Principal Trish O'Regan said. "I am so proud of our learning community and the thought, time and energy that went into making this program such a success."

Flower Hill's PARP theme, Take Me Out to the Library, featured a video kickoff in which Huntington High School's softball team encouraged kids to read along with dozens of "mystery readers" from the community — including parents and grandparents. Other activities included scavenger hunts at area libraries and a book swap in which 1,500 books were distributed to children.

"We're thankful to the literally hundreds of Huntington community members that made Flower Hill's PARP program a success: teachers, parents, store owners, librarians, administrators and, of course, the kids," said Jenna Prada, a Flower Hill PTA member who was the program's co-chair with fellow members Gina Leiter and Michelle David.

In total, Saltzman and Flower Hill students read about 75,700 and 12,000 minutes, respectively, during their programs.

BOHEMIA

New principal

Brian Wrinkle has been named principal of John Pearl Elementary School in the Connetquot Central School District. He replaced Susan White, who retired.

Wrinkle had been assistant principal of the district's Ronkonkoma Middle School since 2020. He has also been an assistant director of pupil personnel resources for the district.

"Bohemia is a terrific community that supports education," Wrinkle said. "I look forward to becoming part of that community and helping the next generation of students navigate this very different world than I grew up in."

FARMINGDALE

New principal

Jed Herman has been appointed principal of Farmingdale High School. 

Herman, who replaced Samuel Thompson, had been the school's assistant principal since 2017. Before that, he was chairman for special education at Herricks High School.

"We want to give our graduates opportunities to pursue their passions, gain real-world experiences and have exposure to a wide variety of motivating and inspiring learning experiences," Herman said.

GREENLAWN

New principal

Marie Netto has been named principal of Harborfields High School. She replaced Tim Russo, who is now an assistant superintendent in the Commack School District.

Netto was previously assistant principal at John F. Kennedy High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. Before that, she was an assistant principal at the district's Wellington C. Mepham High School.

"I am eager to begin working with the dedicated educators in the district to foster a positive learning environment where creative educational opportunities flourish," Netto said.

HERRICKS

Superintendent named

Tony Sinanis has been named superintendent of the Herricks School District. He replaced Fino Celano, who retired. 

Sinanis had been assistant superintendent for human resources and leadership development in the Chappaqua School District since 2018. He has also been superintendent for the Hastings-on-Hudson School District and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the Plainedge School District.

"I spent 17 years of my educational career on Long Island, and during that time I came to know Herricks as a dynamic community that centers students and learning with a commitment to excellence," Sinanis said. "I have always respected and admired Herricks Public Schools from a distance and now am honored to officially be part of the team."

NASSAU COUNTY

New principal

Laura Vega has been appointed principal of Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts in Syosset. 

Vega began her educational career as a secondary-level teacher of math and economics at the Young Women's Leadership School of East Harlem, where she later served seven years as assistant principal.

"Joining LIHSA allows me to combine my passion for the arts with my experience in business and educational leadership," Vega said. "I am grateful for this opportunity to support talented young artists as they build upon their experience and abilities in their chosen disciplines."

SAYVILLE

New superintendent

Marc Ferris has been named superintendent of the Sayville School District. He replaced John Stimmel, who retired.

Ferris served the past five years as assistant superintendent for instruction for the Wantagh School District and before that was principal of North Shore Middle School in Glen Head. He began his teaching career as a high school social studies teacher in Franklin Square.

"The past two years have been challenging for school districts across the nation, and now is the time to heal, find joy in our work together and move forward for the good of our children and our community," Ferris said.

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.