Mr. John C. McNamara
The hallways and classrooms of the district’s five buildings were full of activity again as the 2017-18 school year began on Sept. 5. The 2,846 students, including approximately 180 new kindergartners, arrived on the first day ready to pursue knowledge and explore their interests.
The district welcomes a dozen new teachers for the 2017-18 school year who arrived at the middle school with great enthusiasm on Aug. 28 to begin their four-day orientation. Superintendent John McNamara and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Marc Ferris welcomed the new teachers, who then participated in icebreaker activities to get to know each other.
The July 11 Board of Education reorganization meeting was an evening of introductions as central administrators and trustees prepared for the official start of the 2017-2018 school year.
Forest Lake, Mandalay and Wantagh elementary schools’ fifth-graders commemorated the culmination of their elementary school education during individual moving up ceremonies held in the high school auditorium. The ceremonies were punctuated with photo montages and video presentations, in addition to special musical performances that added to the sentimental occasion.
The District’s elementary schools were a sea of red, white and blue as Forest Lake, Mandalay and Wantagh elementary school students celebrated Flag Day on June 14. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the American flag in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress and is a time to reflect on the importance of this symbol.
Wantagh students Jenna Rackley (grade 7), Keriann Steingruebner (grade 11) and Melanie Volz (grade 8) were top winners in the American History Essay Contest, sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Keriann, who attends Wantagh High School, won first place in the DAR Jerusalem Chapter’s local contest, first place in New York State and first place in the Northeast region. Jenna, a Wantagh Middle School student, was the DAR Jerusalem Chapter’s first-place winner for seventh grade and garnered a first-place win on the state level. In addition, Melanie won first place in the DAR Jerusalem Chapter’s eighth-grade division, as well as third place on the state level.
The Board of Education and central administration announced the tenure of 12 administrators and teachers during a reception with colleagues and family, marking the most important milestone of their educational careers.
Mandalay Elementary School students Sofia Martinez (grade 5) and Katelyn Sutton (kindergarten) and Wantagh High School students Karen Kawecki and Kaitlyn Steingruebner received Awards of Excellence in the annual Long Island Art Teachers Association Art in HeART Exhibit, held in the Broadway Mall in Hicksville.
The District has appointed Dr. Marc J. Ferris as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, effective July 1. Dr. Ferris, a Garden City resident, joins Wantagh from the North Shore School District, where he served as principal and assistant principal of North Shore Middle School since 2002.
