Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year!
As you are reading this, students have arrived for their first day, the hallways are full, and excitement fills the air.
One thing I love about serving on the Board of Education is that there is a natural beginning (the first day of school) and end (graduation) to each year. I also treasure the annual traditions that are anticipated and provide consistency in an unreliable world. Also, no matter how many years one spends in education, there are always new challenges to overcome and new goals to reach.
We begin 2023-2024 riding a wave of momentum as our district and high school continue to climb the U.S. News and World Report and Niche.com rankings. We are also proud to announce that Walt Whitman High School achieved New York State Public High School Athletic Association School of Distinction status by having 100 percent of its varsity teams qualify for and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award during their respective sports seasons.
As you walk the halls and visit our buildings, you will notice significant construction that has been completed, some that is ongoing, and projects that will soon commence. During the summer, we finished construction on the security vestibules at each of our seven main school buildings, with the James Kaden Administrative Offices soon to follow. Ongoing work continues on the first expansion of Walt Whitman High School in decades to create an art gallery housing exceptional student artwork and potentially guest artists. The Walt Whitman High School South Gymnasium floor renovation is in progress and will look as spectacular as the newly resurfaced floor in the high school’s North Gym. We continue our energy performance contract work with the most visible project being the installation of solar carport structures at six of our properties. In the fall, our high school bleachers will be replaced, drainage in the area will be dramatically improved, a new score booth/press box will rise, and outdoor restrooms will be built. In addition, work will begin to completely modernize our high school fitness center to provide a more inviting space for our students.
We are also extremely pleased to welcome back the nine-period day to Walt Whitman High School and late buses on a trial basis to Stimson Middle School. Both initiatives will only enhance an already great student experience.
Our expectations are always high, but we know you are up to the challenge. On behalf of the Board of Education, I wish you a healthy, happy, productive, and successful school year.
Nicholas R. Ciappetta, Esq.
President, South Huntington Board of Education
Maplewood students ready to start their first day at the intermediate school.
First-graders at Oakwood Primary Center dressed for their first day of school!
Stimson's middle schoolers arrive early to take on a new year.
Class of 2024 held true to the annual Senior Sunrise tradition.
Silas Wood's new sixth-graders got themselves acclimated on the first day.
Classrooms at Countrywood and all across the district were full of smiling faces and fresh supplies in hand.
Off the bus and ready for a great year at Birchwood!