School Notebook: LI students spread cancer awareness

Thousands of students have been teaming up to support the fight against cancer across Long Island.

Local schools hosted everything from charitable sports tournaments to spare-change collections in recent weeks to raise funds as part of childhood and breast cancer awareness months in September and October, respectively.

One popular fundraiser was Play for Pink, a tournament that attracted 38 pairs of female tennis players from 18 schools last month to Ward Melville High School in East Setauket. The annual event, coordinated by the Suffolk County Tennis Coaches Association, raised more than $1,400 for Good Samaritan Hospital’s Breast Health Center.

“We take great pride in our student-athletes using their on-court skills for exceptional community causes,” said Mark Passamonte, the director of health, physical education, athletics and nurses for the Shoreham-Wading River School District, which was one of the tournament’s participants.

In Smithtown, the district’s students and staff wore gold — the color of childhood cancer awareness — on their clothing and hair to show support for those with pediatric cancer on Sept. 16. The district’s Accompsett Elementary School also raised more than $1,500 through a coin collection to make a “change” in the fight against cancer, school officials said.

In Oyster Bay, the high school’s Student Council sold pink paper ribbon hearts on which heartfelt messages were written to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The council also encouraged students and staff to wear pink, the color of breast cancer awareness, on Wednesdays.

In Bellmore, Wellington C. Mepham High School’s soccer teams raised more than $3,000 through efforts that included the sales of snacks at their games. The girls team also dedicated a game to Carsyn Volpe, an eighth-grader with pediatric cancer at Grand Avenue Middle School.

“He is an amazing young man who is fighting each day to have some sense of normalcy,” said Mepham’s athletic coordinator William Murphy.

BABYLON

Principal named

Thomas Keogh has been named principal of Babylon Elementary School. He replaced Danielle Flaumenhaft, who held the position on an interim basis.

Keogh was previously an assistant principal at Birchwood Intermediate School in the South Huntington School District. He has also been a third- and fourth-grade teacher at the district’s Maplewood Intermediate School.

“I want to make it an environment where staff, students and parents work as a team and where everyone is excited about education and lifelong learning,” Keogh said.

HEWLETT

New principal

Alexandra Greenberg has been appointed principal of George W. Hewlett High School. She replaced Geraldine Johnson De Carlo, who held the position on an interim basis.

Greenberg had been assistant principal of Hampton Bays High School since 2019. Before that, she was the director of mathematics, science and engineering as well as social studies chairwoman for the Ossining School District upstate.

“I love the process of learning and believe that schools are a place where creativity and self-expression are parallel in value compared to knowledge and academic success,” Greenberg said.

MASSAPEQUA

Superintendent appointed

William Brennan is the new superintendent of the Massapequa School District. He replaced Brian Conboy, who held the position on an interim basis.

Brennan was previously the assistant superintendent for innovation and organizational development for the Farmingdale School District. He has also held positions ranging from science teacher to professional developer during his career.

“I believe that meaningful change only happens when you first connect to people’s hearts, and that begins with building strong relationships, empathetic listening and compassion,” Brennan said.

PORT JEFFERSON

New principal

John Ruggero has been named principal of Earl L. Vandermeulen High School.

Ruggero, who replaced Eric Haruthunian, was previously principal of Robert Moses Middle School in North Babylon. Before that, he was an elementary principal in the Sachem School District and a math teacher in the Sachem, William Floyd and Wyandanch school districts.

“I look forward to getting to know and working with our students, families and staff to continue to provide our students with the best educational opportunities possible,” Ruggero said.

ST. JAMES

New head of school

Andy Sperling is the new head of school at Harbor Country Day School. He replaced John Cissel, who retired.

Sperling was previously head of the upper school at Lake Forest Country Day School in Illinois, where he also served as a middle school math teacher.

“From the moment I stepped through the majestic front door . . . I sensed that indescribable vibe that can only be felt when you experience it firsthand,” Sperling said. “It’s far more than just the charm — it’s the way in which the children carried themselves and how they exuded confidence that drew me in.”

WEST HEMPSTEAD

New principal

Joseph Pumo has been named principal of West Hempstead Secondary School. He replaced James DeTommaso, who is now superintendent of the East Rockaway School District.

Pumo served last school year as interim principal of West Hempstead High School. He also had been an assistant principal at West Hempstead Middle School.

“I am looking forward to working collaboratively with students, teachers and parents to create more individualized pathways for our students so they can find and develop their passions and skills needed to be successful once they graduate from West Hempstead Secondary School,” Pumo 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.