As we approach the upcoming school year, we will be celebrating the 87 years of instruction in the Sewanhaka Central High School District. Before our students arrive in September, our professional staff will return on September 1-2 for our Opening Day Program, during which we will welcome new and returning faculty and staff.
We also will honor our Teachers of the Year and employees who have been with the district for 25 years or more. Our goal continues to be to ensure that each child is provided with an education designed to meet his or her needs. We believe that our professional staff is instrumental in providing for this success.
During the summer months, extensive renovations have been completed, (and others are continuing), at each of our five high schools. The goal remains to complete many of these projects prior to the beginning of the school year.
At Floral Park Memorial High School, a new roof was installed, asbestos was abated and a new stadium field and track was installed. The softball fields will be completed during the fall of 2015.
At Sewanhaka High School, a new roof was installed, asbestos was abated and a new stadium field and track, as well as a concession stand were installed. New gymnasium windows will be installed at some time during the fall of 2015.
At Elmont Memorial High School, a new roof was installed, asbestos was abated and a new stadium field and track was installed. The baseball field will be completed during the fall of 2015.
At H. Frank Carey High School, a new elevator was installed, the roof was replaced, asbestos was abated and a new stadium field and track, as well as a concession stand were installed. The baseball and softball fields will be completed during the fall of 2015.
Finally, at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, a new roof was installed, asbestos was abated and a new stadium field and track was installed. The soccer and baseball fields will be completed during the fall of 2015. As a result of these extensive renovations, these facilities are now ones that are in the condition that our students deserve.
The Board of Education has continued its work regarding the successful bond referendum that was passed during May of 2014. The construction management firm and architects have continued their efforts to ensure that the contractors responsible for all the work in the district are held to high standards. The next phase of the project will be initiated during the spring of 2016 to include the new addition at Sewanhaka High School, the auditorium renovation at Floral Park Memorial High School, and the renovation of auditoriums, lighting and the heating/ventilation systems in all the buildings. The district website will feature a section that will keep you updated regarding the progress of the work.
This time of year is always filled with anticipation and excitement and we are all certainly looking forward toward working with your children during the 2015-16 school year.
The district is also working toward two additional initiatives that will have a positive impact on the operating budget. First, the Board of Education approved a proposal under an energy performance contract that may reduce the amount of funds that will be bonded to complete some of the work that was proposed within the approved bond referendum. In addition, when this work is completed, Sewanhaka will be the third largest school district producer of solar energy in New York State. Next, through working with Cenergistic, the district continues to aggressively educate the entire staff in order to emphasize the reduction of energy consumption through conservation approaches. The goals for both initiatives are to significantly reduce energy use within the district, without sacrificing the comfort of students and staff and to reduce the funds under the operating budget that are dedicated toward district utilities, in order to make every effort to maintain student programs in the future.
As I have emphasized in the past, let us all continue to work collaboratively to ensure that our children get off to a good start as the school year begins. Developing those study routines, that are most likely to lead to academic success, is essential. As always, our goal is for our students to benefit from all that our schools have to offer. Contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions about what you can do to promote your child’s academic success and personal well being in school. I remain grateful to serve as the superintendent of schools in the Sewanhaka Central High School District and look forward to accomplishing the goals that we have established in order to maintain and expand upon the district’s academic, athletic and performing arts programs.
—Superintendent Dr. Ralph Ferrie, EdD.
