Superintendent’s Conference Day Focuses on Three Priority Areas

Tuesday morning brought about a slight chill in the air but there was an abundance of excitement from teachers and staff inside Washingtonville High School to start off the school year. Washingtonville Central School District held its annual Superintendent's Conference Day this morning, welcoming back faculty and staff. 

Faculty and staff excitedly congregated in the Washingtonville High School lunchroom for a light breakfast before heading to the auditorium to begin their day. 

Superintendent Dr. Larry Washington kicked off the morning by welcoming everyone and sharing inspirational words focusing on the district’s three priority areas, which allow administration, staff, and teachers to achieve the District mission and vision, to address any obstacles that arise, and to allow the District to utilize its energy and resources with greater alignment:

1. The Student Experience: We will foster an environment that is safe and inclusive for all learners Pre-K to 12 through purposeful partnerships with all stakeholders.
2. Academic Excellence: We will continuously improve learning within each classroom community.
3. Community Connection: We will continue to enhance our communication tools and create diverse opportunities for connection where trust and collaboration flourish.

“Last August we did a strategic plan for the district,” said Dr. Washington. “Now we have a roadmap that will move us forward that we will follow for the district. The mission and vision statement will be shared amongst our buildings because I believe branding and understanding what we stand for matters in the district.” 

Vision Statement: We will continue to enhance our communication tools and create diverse opportunities for connection where trust and collaboration flourish.

“Our priority areas include Student Experience, Academic Excellence, and Community Connection,” said Dr. Washington. “But what does Academic Excellence look like for everybody in the district? That’s one of the key things that I will speak about because Academic Excellence is important to me, but that looks different for different people but the language matters. Those will be some of the things we will discuss because I believe moving forward.”

After Dr. Washington spoke, Board of Education President Sharon Williams encouraged faculty and staff to enter the new school year with goals to do their best and foster a culture of continuous growth and excellence.

“As we step into a new school year, let’s embrace the exciting challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” said Mrs. Williams. “Your dedication and your passion to shape the future of countless students and the impact you make is immeasurable. This year I challenge all of us to focus on our strategic goals. These are not just targets on paper, they are the very essence of what we need to strive for. Each lesson you prepare, each interaction with a student, and each connection you make with families and the community, brings us one step closer to achieving these goals.”

Jeff Carola, President of the Washingtonville Teachers Association, also spoke with faculty and staff, encouraging them to spread positivity and “find their Marigolds” as Dr. Washington mentioned at last week’s New Teacher Orientation. “Find Your Marigold” is a blog post that advises first-year teachers to find their Marigold, which is someone who offers protection, helps them succeed and encourages their growth

“Finding your Marigold isn’t just for new teachers, although, I believe, that was the original intent,” said Mr. Carola.” And I believe that is something we can all take something from. Finding your Marigolds, ultimately, it’ll be something about reflection. Find what’s positive for you.”

In addition to these words, new staff in the district were also recognized and welcomed to the district by receiving their jerseys in the WCSD “blue”. Athletic Director Suzanne Lendzian also led new staff members to mingle with those already working in the district, helping to foster a close-knit community environment. 

As WCSD welcomed new teachers, they also recognized faculty and staff who have served the district for 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years. 

Teachers shared their excitement for the new year and what they are looking forward to when their students come back to the classroom. 

“I’m really excited to see my students grow,” said Brianna Williams, who is new to the district and will be a teaching assistant in Kindergarten at Round Hill. “I’ve always wanted to teach in this district and I’ll be teaching Kindergarten so I look forward to developing those connections with my students.”

Other teachers shared their excitement for the fresh start that a new school year offers and the relationships they will be able to continue to build. 

“I’m excited for a fresh start,” said Nina Giordani who teaches at Washingtonville High School. “It’s a new beginning and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again.”

“I’m excited for the students to come back. It’s like you have a clean slate because you have all of the new students coming in. The students always inspire me to be better,” said Adele Hastings who is a teaching assistant at Taft Elementary.

“I’m excited because this is my third year here,” said Elena Copeland who teaches at Taft. “I really know the kids and it’s like seeing your friends again.”

At the end of the morning, a special award was presented to Washingtonville Middle School for Best in Show for having a spotless school building and the Washingtonville High School guidance and athletics departments for their endless support to their students and community. 

WCSD wishes everyone a happy school year and is excited to welcome everyone back tomorrow!
 

Please visit the photo gallery for more photos

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New WCSD Staff

Washingtonville High School
Daniel Brownstein - Science
Anthony Ferdinandi - (HS/MS) Science
Jillian Goodwin - ENL
Zachary Lowensten - Math
Maura Moore - Business
Nicole Rappold - Science
Julie Romano - Science
Azules Rule - Science
Felisa Sheskin - World Language
Joanna Steffy - Science
 

Washingtonville Middle School
Jenna Korn - Guidance
Tessa Miranda - English Language Learners
Richard Samuels - Physical Education
Jack Terry-Kantor - Special Education

Little Britain
Alexandra Arduino - 2nd grade
Stephen Elting - Special Education
Catarina Giuffra - 5th grade
Paige Yezarski - 2nd grade

Round Hill
Amanda Carvo - 4th grade
Isabella Dorozynski - Art
Emma Ilioiu-Brad - 2nd grade
Robin Meyers - Special Education
Ashanti Thompson - 2nd grade

Taft Elementary
Erin Gilmore- 4th Grade
Juliet Leight- Guidance

10 Years in Service 
Devin Cassidy, Maritza Cesani, Colleen Davy, Tammy Dorozynski, Lisa Doyle, Christine Frisbee, Elizabeth Hartsough, Nubia Hunt, Danielle Keating, Gina La Vine, Paulette Lombardi, Alisa McCarthy, Nancy McErlean, Amy McNally, Victoria Milmoe, Erin Milteer, Christine Parsi, Bradley Peterson, Pattiann Randazzo, Amanda Santos, Daniel Wargo

15 Years in Service
Michelle Campbell, Maryann Eberling, Roseanne Esposito, Renee Henry, Megan Kaste, Melanie O’Neill, Teri Richardson, Heather Seitz, Robert Young
 

25 Years in Service
Lisa Beers, Kelly Connolly, Ari Contzius, Debra Cooper, Nicholas Disy, Erica Gellman, Candice Mullady, Rebecca Ray, Charles Salyer, Jr., Carla Sansone, AJ Vesely, Sally Walsh

30 Years in Service
Kimberly Gage, Scott Lerner, Sheila Nardo, Christine Nimmo