Superintendent Welcomes Students Back, Shares Changes

Hauppauge students went back to classes Tuesday morning, kicking off the start of the 2012-13 school year. There were first day outfits, new backpacks, books and more.

Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss was there to welcome back students, sharing a message with parents and students about the goals for the year ahead and some of the changes that have taken place over the summer. 

Her welcome back message, as posted on the district's website reads: 

I would once again like to welcome you to another new school year.  For 2012-2013, we have, as always, many initiatives planned that will enhance our program for our children. 

This year, we have defined and outlined new goals and objectives focused on strengthening our academic programs to continue to support student achievement, enhance our technology systems to better assist instruction and community outreach and to implement budget and facility processes that continue to support the stability of our district (a more thorough and complete version of these goals can be read by clicking here).

We will introduce a co-teaching model in grades one through five, in which each classroom will have its own, full-time special education teacher working directly with the teacher and class in a collaborative setting.  Another exciting announcement is that Hauppauge now has the honor of declaring itself one of the few Long Island schools to be granted International Baccalaureate status for the high school.  This two-year degree program will begin with juniors in our high school who opted for this rigorous course of study.

As stated above, the incorporation of technology and all its assets will be one of our primary goals for this coming year.  We are happy to announce the opening of Infinite Campus Gradebook, a program which will allow parents (and students) to easily track and understand the progress of their child.

Lastly, we have welcomed some new staff to the district, as well as seen the promotion of veteran staff to new positions:

• Glen Eschbach has been appointed as the new assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and technology.

• Don Murphy is our new director of mathematics and information systems.
•  George Gagliardi, formerly an assistant principal at the high school, has become the new principal at Bretton Woods Elementary School.

• Mike Gavalas has moved from his position as a social studies teacher to become an assistant principal at the high school.
• Joe Salina is our new PR representative in the district and will be working with staff, students and the community to help broaden our social media and technological outreach.

We look forward to seeing you at our Back to School Nights, the dates of which are on the school calendar.  It is always the goal of the Board of Education and me to assist staff so that we, as a district, continue to expand the achievements of our students and faculty.  I look forward to seeing their accomplishments and wish everyone a wonderful school year.

Thank you,

Patricia Sullivan-Kriss
Superintendent of Schools

Tell us, What are you and your child looking forward to in the new school year?