School Notebook: LI districts host welcome-back events

Long Island schools found a variety of creative ways to ring in the 2022-23 academic year.

Districts hosted back-to-school events ranging from bus tours to backpack giveaways to help introduce students to their new peers and learning environments.

One inaugural event was the Central Islip School District’s first Kick-Off for Success. Children were given backpacks and hand sanitizer, while parents received information on school protocols and nutrition. Families also embarked on a bus tour of the district accompanied by the district’s central registration and residency administrator, Yvette Rivera.

“It is important students start their school careers on the right path, and providing this experience for new kindergarten students entering school for the first time certainly gave them this opportunity,” Rivera said.

In Sea Cliff, North Shore School District hosted a meet-and-greet for students and their families to introduce themselves to the district’s new central office administrators. The district also hosted a Coffee With Chris meeting for residents to engage new Superintendent Chris Zublionis in informal conversations on important school topics.

In Bohemia, incoming seniors at Connetquot High School had the chance to reconnect with one another and personalize their parking spaces last month during the school’s second annual Senior Paint Day. Designs ranged from a collage of hands to the American flag.

In Southampton, the high school hosted a freshman orientation in which students could find their new classrooms and open their lockers for the first time.

“Transitioning into a new school can be really challenging for students,” said Kimberly Balducci, a counselor at Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School in Amityville, which held an orientation for incoming third-graders that included a slideshow about the school. “Orientations … hopefully lessen some of the stress they might be feeling about entering a new environment.”

BELLPORT

New superintendent

Antonio Santana is the new superintendent of the South Country Central School District. He replaced Joseph Giani, who retired.

Santana previously served seven years as principal of Glen Cove High School. He has also held administrative positions in the Port Jefferson, Three Village and Valley Stream Central school districts.

“[South Country] prides itself on its innovativeness and diversity, and my number one goal as the superintendent of schools will be to cultivate a positive and supportive professional environment that preserves the past and finds its future,” Santana said.

CORAM

Principal named

Kimberly Longo has been named principal of Coram Elementary School in the Longwood Central School District.

Longo was previously the district’s director of curriculum for English language arts, math and science. Before that, she was district coordinator of student support services and a literacy coach.

“I am eager to begin working with our dedicated educators to continue fostering a positive learning environment where students continue to grow and flourish,” Longo said.

GLEN HEAD

Principal appointed

Ryan O’Hara has been appointed principal of North Shore Middle School. He replaced Jennifer Imperiale, who held the position on an interim basis.

O’Hara was previously a high school assistant principal and K-12 supervisor of English, reading and library media for the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District. Before that, he was an English teacher and teacher leader of humanities for the North Shore School District.

“I can’t wait to join my colleagues and to get to the important work of helping our children discover their dreams,” O’Hara said.

LYNBROOK

New principal

Marianne Healy has been named principal of North Middle School, replacing Sean Fallon.

Healy was previously the school’s interim principal; before that, she was a sixth-grade English teacher and the teacher-in-charge.

“I view education as a lifelong process, and I expect to continue to learn and grow in the years to come,” Healy said. “I am excited to unite my experience, my willingness to learn, and my child-centered approach to support our students.”

PATCHOGUE AND SMITHTOWN

Water-quality winners

A total of 21 students from the Patchogue-Medford and Smithtown school districts were winners of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society’s Middle School Kids Go to College science competition.

To participate, the students researched local water quality issues and presented solutions to the problems they found. They also met virtually with Stony Brook University Professor Christopher Gobler, who explained the types of problems and solutions that result from water contamination on Long Island.

“The continuing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic did not prevent these students from developing innovative solutions to Long Island’s water problems,” said the society’s executive director, Richard Amper. “Their knowledge and passion are commendable.”

VALLEY STREAM

Superintendent named

Roxanne Garcia-France has been named superintendent of Valley Stream School District 30. She replaced Nicholas Stirling, who retired.

Garcia-France most recently served as the associate superintendent for curriculum, instructional and educational services at Nassau BOCES. She has also held assistant superintendent positions in the Valley Stream 30, North Bellmore and Roosevelt school districts.

“I am confident that together, we will ensure Valley Stream District 30 continues its legacy of providing innovative 21st century learning experiences that inspire the next generation of global leaders — global leaders who are known for developing equitable, inclusive and sustainable solutions for the greater good of humanity,” Garcia-France said.

 — MICHAEL R. EBERT

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.