Please scan the QR code below to sign up, and celebrate former teacher Scott Bowden!!! Scott not only has become our historical resource for everything West Side, but his dedication to the West Side Run has never wavered for 31 years and counting! Please consider joining and signing up - see you at the annual West Side Run! Click link to sign up (or click QR code) https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Syosset/WestSideRun
Congratulations to our newly tenured teachers – who were all granted tenure at the recommendation of the Superintendent at the Board of Education Meeting the night of May 13 - we bid you congratulations! The ten recipients were Kristen Raszka, Caitlyn Harman, Dr. John Barnes, Kristen Schmid, Lauryn Grefe, Jennifer O’Kean, Amanda Segale, Shannon Boelsen, Daniel Santangelo and Lauren Kenedy. Superintendent Joseph Monastero and the Board of Education offered their heartfelt congratulations with the highest of praise and support. Each recipient has distinguished themselves as outstanding in their field, bringing their knowledge, leadership, and impressive work ethic to the district. All agreed with confidence that their insight will serve the community well in the years to come. Congratulations on reaching a major milestone in your career as a teacher. The evaluation system in Cold Spring Harbor requires non-tenured teachers to be observed by their administration team four times a year in four specific domains: planning, classroom environment, instruction, and other professional responsibilities. By achieving tenure, your supervisors have determined through direct observation and consultation that you have the knowledge, teaching skills, work habits, and commitment that are needed to successfully impact the academic achievement of our students. This is a decision that building and district administrators have weighed carefully knowing that granting tenure is a decision of long-term investment by the district in you as a teacher. Congratulations to each of you on this prestigious honor!
At the May 13 Board of Education meeting, 15 Retirees were honored. On behalf of the Superintendent, Board of Education and the administrative team, all were recognized prior to the meeting for a celebratory gathering and congratulatory wishes and cake. For the many years dedicated to the Cold Spring Harbor School District, we wish you much happiness in your retirement and thank you for the many contributions you have made to Cold Spring Harbor. You will be missed! Thank you to all the recipients who were each honored in a special booklet detailing their career and service. The fifteen retirees honored were: William Arloff, Robert Colascione, Earl Cross, Margaret Diehl, Lori Farriella, Christine Watt-Geertgens, Susana Gonzalez-Condell, James Hardy, Joseph Judge, Devora Kon, Linda Mastriano-Letica, Genevieve LaGattuta, John Neary, Maria Segura and Joseph Toscano.
Cold Spring Harbor School District Music Education Program received National Recognition once again! The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. The NAMM Foundation celebrates and promotes the intrinsic value of music education nationwide. NAMM is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants with approximately 10,300 members around the world. This designation is a credit to our entire community. Thank you to our Board of Education, parents, and staff for funding, recognizing and promoting the arts. Special thanks to James Guarini for leading and celebrating our students and staff! As K-12 Music Chairperson, he shared, “We're honored to be recognized by the NAMM Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education. This award celebrates our students' creativity, our dedicated teachers, and the strong community support that makes music thrive in our schools!”
Each year, Applebee’s sponsors an “Above & Bee-yond Teacher Essay Contest” where four deserving teachers from Long Island are chosen to receive a $500 sponsorship check for their classroom AND an end-of-the-year party hosted at Applebee’s restaurant! When West Side School student, Josephine Pologruto (grade 6) learned about this contest she knew she had to nominate her band teacher Ms. Roddin! At the West Side morning assembly on May 6, Ms. Roddin received a surprise ceremony honoring this amazing award, and she was completely caught off guard and humbled. Thank you to Superintendent Joseph Monastero and K-12 Music Chair Jim Guarini for joining Dr. Barnes at the ceremony. Josephine Pologruto was very proud to read her winning essay and to present the plaque, balloons and flowers to her teacher. Ms. Roddin shared, “It is an absolute privilege working with the students and faculty at West Side.” Congratulations Ms. Roddin – we are all humbled by your dedication and devotion to your students...
Congratulations to our International Thespian Honor Society Inductees - honoring student achievement in theater for their work both on and off the stage. Bravo!
On April 21, teachers Ann McLam (Art) and Morgan Milleisen (Tech) visited “A Step Ahead Prosthetics” in Hicksville along with a group of 8th grade students. Head Prosthetist, Founder and CEO Erik Schaffer along with his daughter Jessica (Marketing Specialist) gave the students a tour of their facility which included fabrication, casting, software and training. All their fabrication is done in house and provides services for individuals all over the world. Anaplastologist, Melissa Schaffer set up a casting experience for our students and explained how she uses silicone and paints to mold and match skin tones exactly creating realistic skins to wrap prosthetic devices. Amy Winters, Ultramarathon Athlete, Guinness WR holder and amputee spoke to our students about her personal experiences and about empathy for those with limb loss.
“May is a milestone month for seniors, as they finalize college decisions and prepare to take their next steps,” shared Director of Guidance Jeannette Alomia. “We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2025. This group of students has distinguished itself through academic excellence, creative achievements in the arts, powerful performances in athletics, and most importantly, through their generosity, leadership, kindness, and collaborative spirit. As they leave Cold Spring Harbor to begin new journeys, we send them off with our warmest wishes for happiness, fulfillment, and continued success!”
