School Board Congratulates Students, Teachers on 2011's Success

The Hauppauge Board of Education held its last meeting of the 2010-2012 school year on Tuesday night to recognize those students who have won awards as well as teachers and staff members retiring this year. It was an emotional evening filled with hugs, laughter and tears as students, teachers and staff said their farewells.

Recognition and Awards

Lillian Carey, director of Languages Other Than English, recognized Hauppauge High School students who placed among the top in Suffolk County or nationally on the National French, German and Spanish examinations.

Dr. Matthew Murphy congratulated 22 students who competed in the Long Island Math Fair, of which eight advanced into the final rounds. Earlier this spring, Bretton Woods and Forest Brook students took first and second place, respectively, in the Suffolk County Math Olympiads competition. Members of Bretton Woods’ winning team were David Fresolone, Kevin Gmelin, Christopher Letizia, Vincent Visto and Madison Wahl.

Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss recommended three members of Hauppauge’s administrative staff receive tenure: Lillian Carey, director of Languages Other Than English; Doreen Gordon, director of Social Studies and Business; and Claire Hochheisner, director of pupil personnel services. The Board of Education voted 5-0 to grant these three administrators tenure.

Hauppauge administrators presented plaques to 10 teachers and staff members who are retiring in 2011: Matt Giordano, Ferne Engelberg, Jerome Goodfellow, Estelle Kamsler, Fred Pitrelli, Carole Birenbach, Phyllis Krasner, Digna Crisera, Louis Colozzo and Sadie Tortora.

Trustee Robert Schnebel was selected by the Hauppauge Teachers Association to receive the New York State Union for Teacher’s Friend of Education Award for volunteering to serve 13 years on Hauppauge’s Board of Education.

Superintendent Update

Sullivan-Kriss said the district is continuing the process of searching for two new elementary school principals as Matt Giordano, principal of Bretton Woods, is retiring on June 30 and Pines Elementary school principal Michele Rothfeld will be joining the district’s administrative staff. For more on the district’s search for new elementary school principals, check Patch this afternoon.

Administrative Matters

The Board of Education approved new contracts with the Hauppauge Schools Office Staff Association effective July 1, 2011 to June, 30 2014.

The Board of Education authorized ceiling and lighting replacements to be made at Bretton Woods Elementary School as part of routine maintenances and repair, or replace and rehabilitative reconstruction.

Personnel Matters

*Michele Rothfeld will be replacing Reza Kolahifar as assistant superintendent for personnel and administration starting July 1.

*Kristen Reingold will step up to become the district’s director of ELA.

*Michele Aversano has been appointed as a new administrative assistant at Hauppauge Middle School.

*The Board of Education appointed more than 20 staff members to begin curriculum writing for the International Baccalaureate classes being offered in the 2011-2012 school year.