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Stories:
• Change at the Top
• College Acceptance Rate Remains High
• Retirees Honored for Service
• Budget Passes
• Board Recognizes Staff Receiving Tenure
• State Passes Employer Tax to Bail Out MTA
• Roslyn Commemorates King Holiday
• Elementary Schools Will No Longer Be Polling Places
For news about great student accomplishments,
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Change at the Top
Dr. Richman Will Retire at the End of June; Dr. Brenner Will Be the New Superintendent
JUN 19, 2009 – Dr. John A. Richman will retire as Superintendent of Schools at the end of June, it was announced at the Board of Education meeting on June 18. Dr. Dan Brenner, who has been the district's Assistant Superintendent for Instruction since 2005, was appointed by the Board as his successor.
In a farewell letter, Dr. Richman thanks the community and staff for their support and wishes the school district and Dr. Brenner well in the future.
The Board appointment of Dr. Brenner as Superintendent of Schools was unanimous. He will assume his new post on July 1, upon the retirement of Dr. Richman.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity, and I am very grateful to the Board for placing their confidence in me," Dr. Brenner said. "I have deep respect for Dr. Richman's commitment and leadership on so many important issues, and I hope to keep the district focused on always doing what is in the best interests of children."
Dr. Dan Brenner
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Dr. Brenner joined Roslyn Public Schools in 2005 as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. During those four years, he has overseen the implementation of numerous educational initiatives, including programs in elementary literacy, expansion of secondary foreign language offerings, and enhancements in the middle school math program. He also led efforts to increase opportunities for professional development and to introduce differentiated instruction at all levels. He brought his vision and experience as the former principal of Great Neck's Village School to the creation of an alternative program at Roslyn High School; the Hilltop Academy is just now completing a very successful first year of operation.
Prior to coming to Roslyn, Dr. Brenner had been the principal of Yorktown High School in Westchester County. He began his educational career as a school psychologist in the Great Neck public schools, becoming principal of the Village School in 1995. During the course of his career, he has been a crisis team leader, a girls varsity basketball coach and a mentor for colleagues and students. He has also continued to work as a clinical psychologist specializing in adolescents and their families, is a trustee of a non-profit agency serving developmentally disabled adults, and has been a presenter at conferences about childhood development and other educational issues.
Dr. Brenner is a graduate of Tufts University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science cum laude in 1981. He earned a Master of Science degree in 1982 and a Doctor of Philosophy from Hofstra University in 1987.
Where Are They Headed?
Roslyn Graduates Compete Strongly in College Applications
JUN 19, 2009 – College acceptances for the Class of 2009 continued a pattern of success, indicating that Roslyn graduates remain highly competitive with their peers when applying to the top colleges and universities. Acceptance into Ivy League schools were even better than usual in 2009, with six accepted into Penn, two into Harvard, three each into Brown, Princeton and Yale, and an amazing 21 into Cornell. In all, 22 members of the class plan to go to the Ivy League.
Among other top schools, 29 seniors were accepted into Michigan, 19 into NYU, 6 into Northwestern, 11 into Emory, 6 into Tufts, 10 into GW, 7 into Vanderbilt an 6 into Washington U. Graduates' acceptances into "Roslyn favorite" schools is even more remarkable: 24 into Boston U, 25 into Delaware, 29 into Hofstra, 34 into Indiana, 25 into Maryland, 23 into UMass, 23 into Penn State, 22 into Pitt, 30 into Syracuse and 21 into Tulane. Some 45 graduates will attend a dozen different New York State schools.
Roslyn High School graduates of the class of 2009 are planning to attend these colleges and universities:
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Adelphi University Babson College Berklee College of Music Boston College Boston University Bowdoin College Brandeis University Brown University Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University Buffalo State College Carnegie Mellon University Colorado, University of Connecticut, University of Cooper Union Cornell University Delaware, University of Dickinson College Drew University Drexel University Duke University Embry-Riddle University Emerson College Emory University Fashion Institute of Technology Fordham University George Washington University Gordon College Hartford, University of Harvard University Hobart and William Smith Hofstra University Hunter College Illinois, University of Indiana University Ithaca College Johns Hopkins University Johnson & Wales University Kansas, University of Lehigh University LIU – C.W. Post Campus Manhattan College Marist College Maryland, University of Massachussetts College of Pharmacy Massachusetts, University of Miami University Miami, University of Michigan, University of |
Nassau Community College NY College of Health Professions NY Institute of Technology New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Oberlin College Parsons School of Design Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, University of Princeton University Providence College Queens College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island, University of Rider University Roger Williams University Rutgers University Siena College Smith College Southern California, University of St. John’s University SUNY Albany SUNY Binghamton SUNY Buffalo SUNY Fredonia SUNY Geneseo SUNY Maritime SUNY New Paltz SUNY Oneonta SUNY Oswego SUNY Plattsburgh SUNY Purchase SUNY Stony Brook Syracuse University Tampa, University of Texas, University of Towson University Tulane University Union College Vanderbilt University Washington University Williams College Wisconsin, University of Yale University York College of the CUNY |
Retirees Are Recognized for Service
JUN 12, 2009 – On June 11, 2009, the Roslyn Board of Education honored members of the Roslyn Public Schools staff retiring during the 2008-09 school year. The retirees, their most recent assignment and number of years of service are listed below.
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Arlene Burke, Senior Stenographer, Middle School, 21 years
Evelyn Clarke, Food Service, High School, 10 years
Georganne Conis, School Nurse, Harbor Hill, 21 years
Phyllis Ferrara, Stenographic Secretary, Administration, 15 years
Lisa Gordon, Elementary Teacher, Harbor Hill, 22 years
Anne Keller, District Clerk, Administration, 4 years
Joanne Kert, Math Tutor, Harbor Hill, 13 years
Robert Kuzyn, Special Education Teacher, Middle School, 14 years
Loretta Lerner, Teacher Aide, High School, 35 years
Dr. Mira Martincich,Director of Physical Education, Interscholastic Athletics & Recreation, 32 years
Farrel Powsner, Math Teacher, High School, 11 years
Roslyn Bids Farewell to Dr. M
Dr. Martincich received an honorary diploma at high school graduation from the Class of 2009.
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In the dictionary next to the word "tireless" there could very well be a photo of Mira Martincich, Roslyn's athletic director who is retiring at the end of June after 32 years in the school district. No matter the season, the weather or the time of day or night, Dr. M was quite literally always there. For a generation of students, teachers, coaches and parents, she has been the face and spirit of Roslyn athletics.
Dr. M joined the faculty of the Roslyn Public Schools as a Physical Education teacher in 1977. In 1982 she began teaching science, and in 1987 became Assistant Principal at the Roslyn Middle School. Two years later she was appointed as Director of Physical Education K-12, Interscholastic Athletics and Recreation. During her more than three decades of service she has also been a coach, club advisor, administrative mentor and curriculum writer. For one year in the 1990s, she was interim Assistant Principal at Roslyn High School while continuing all of her duties as athletic director — a feat that few others would have even attempted, but which Dr. M pulled off with her characteristic determination and attention to detail.
She has been an advisor and mentor to countless students and colleagues through the years, and a devoted friend to many. What she may be remembered for most of all is her integrity: her commitment to equal opportunity for all students, her adherence to principle regardless of the circumstances, and her unwavering belief in the power of sports to change students' lives for the better. Through her example and influence, Dr. M's Bulldog spirit will live on in Roslyn.
Voters Pass School Budget for 2009-10
Haber, Kline and Seinfeld Elected; Capital Project Referendum and Library Vote Also Approved
MAY 19, 2009 — Roslyn voters approved the school budget for 2009-10 on May 19. The vote was 1608 in favor and 641 opposed. The $94,751,350 budget carries a spending increase of 0.6 percent and a projected tax levy increase of 1.3 percent.
Four candidates ran for three at-large seats on the Board of Education. First-time candidate Adam Haber won a seat on the Board, and incumbents Dani Kline and David Seinfeld were re-elected. The vote totals for the candidates were as follows: Haber, 1391; Kline, 1370; Seinfeld, 1308; and Ron Smith, 1180.
Proposition 3, authorizing the Board of Education to expend $938,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund for capital projects, was approved by a vote of 1614 to 554. In 2007, voters authorized the Board of Education to establish a 10-year Capital Reserve Fund to address ongoing capital needs.
The Bryant Library's 2009-10 budget was also approved.
• Homeowners' Tax Calculator
Board Congratulates Staff Receiving Tenure
MAY 8, 2009 – The Roslyn Board of Education recognized the professional staff of the Roslyn Public Schools who were candidates for tenure in 2009. Family members were invited to share in the celebration at the Board's May 7 meeting. The following are the staff members with their tenure area and school where they are currently assigned:
ADMINISTRATORS:
Marnie Cohen, Assistant Director Pupil Personnel Services
Joseph Dragone, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Stuart Grossman, Director of Pupil Personnel Services
Thomas Mohrman, Assistant to the Superintendent for Operations & Special Projects
Edward A. Salina, Jr., Assistant Superintendent for Administration
TEACHERS:
Christopher Callahan, Math, High School
William Caruso, School Counselor, High School
Brian Ciavarella, Math, High School
Jacqueline Cole, Computers, Middle School
Suzanne Falcone, Gifted and Talented, East Hills & Harbor Hill
Marigrace Cirringione, English, Middle School
Peter Lizza, Social Studies, Middle School
William Marvin, Science, High School
Michaela Morales, Special Ed, High School
Kenneth Packert, Science & Math, High School
Todd Postol, Social Studies, Middle School
Lawrence Reiff, English, High School
Kristopher Schmitt, Science, Middle School
Laurie Schoenberg, Art, High School
Dane Solomon, Social Studies, High School
Susan Waidenbaum, Reading, High School
TEACHER ASSISTANTS:
Linda Colosi, East Hills
Laura Farnan, Harbor Hill
Lori Kaufman, High School
Lori Maller, Harbor Hill
Karen Orenstein, East Hills
State Approves Tax on Schools for MTA
MAY 7, 2009 –The state has passed a bailout for the MTA that includes a payroll tax on all employers in the downstate region, including school districts. School officials strongly opposed the tax and are skeptical about promises of reimbursement. Read coverage in Newsday and NY Times.
Roslyn Commemorates King Holiday
JAN 15, 2009 –In this historic month, as the nation prepares to inaugurate the first African-American as President of the United States, the Roslyn school district hosted a very special community program to commemorate the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program was held at the East Hills School, and featured music and dance performances by Roslyn elementary and middle school students. The guest speaker was the Rev. Reginald Tuggle, who for more than 35 years has led the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roosevelt and is also Director of College Relations for Nassau Community College.
The annual event is sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund, which, with the support of Roslyn residents, has helped more than 240 local students attend college over the last quarter century.
Some images from the program follow.
The East Hills Fourth Grade Chorus sang two songs appropriate to the occasion about harmony and community, led by their teacher Joanne Santodonato and accompanied by Teacher Frank Cifali and guest. |
The Rev. Reginald Tuggle, for more than 35 years the pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roosevelt, was the guest speaker. He offered some personal testimony about the civil rights struggle and some inspirational thoughts about the future. |
Roslyn High School senior Miles Taylor was the master of ceremonies at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Program. |
Members of the Roslyn Middle School's World Dance Club gave an energetic step dance performance to the delight of the audience. The students' advisors are teachers Karina Baez and Iris Molina. |
Polling Places Removed From Elementary Schools
SUCCESSFUL LOBBYING EFFORT WILL IMPROVE SAFETY & SECURITY
OCT 16, 2008 – Beginning with the national election on November 4, voting will no longer take place in the Heights and Harbor Hill Elementary Schools. This long-sought change in polling places was the result of a concerted lobbying effort by school officials, Roslyn residents and other elected representatives.
For many years, the school district has been concerned about its ability to maintain security in the elementary schools when general and primary elections took place while school was in session. The practical inability to isolate voting from regular school activity raised deep concerns about the safety of children and staff. It also placed the district in direct contravention of New York State laws and regulations concerning school security that have been tightened over the years in response to violent incidents in schools.
"Our educational environment will not be disrupted and our children will be safer," said Board of Education Vice President Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy, who chairs the Board's Legislative Affairs Committee. "We thank the Board of Elections and our elected representatives in particular Assemblyman Charles Lavine for recognizing the issues and helping to bring about this very important change."
Official notice has been sent by the Board of Elections to voters who are impacted by the changes. The Board of Elections has indicated that workers will be present to redirect anyone who may come to vote at the schools in error.
Please note the following changes in Town of North Hempstead Election Districts that impact the Roslyn elementary schools:
ED NH 13/16
Changed from HH School 3 GC Rd EH to Village Hall-Roslyn Harbor 500 Motts Cove Rd South, Roslyn Harbor
ED NH 13/4
13/5
13/6
Changed from HH School 3 GC Rd EH to East Hills Village Hall 209 Harbor Hill Road, East Hills
ED NH 13/3
16/97
16/98
Changed from Heights School Willow Street Roslyn Heights to Gayle Community Center 53 Orchard Street, Roslyn Heights
Roslyn High School will remain a polling place for general and primary elections. Voters should check the official notice from the Board of Elections to confirm their polling location.
