District Flags at Half-Staff to Honor the Passing of Retired Teacher

District flags are flying at half-staff in memory of Philip Stuart, a beloved AHAP teacher and AHAP consultant in Half Hollow Hills, who died last weekend.

Superintendent Sheldon Karnilow said, "Phil died after a valiant fight with pancreatic cancer. He  was a beloved, dedicated professional who enriched the lives of hundreds of children. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten."

Stuart lived in Bayside, Queens for may years, and recently had moved to Massapequa, New York.  He is survived by his wife Cindy, and they had no children.

There was a service this morning at 11 a.m. in Glendale, Queens.

Stuart started his career in Half Hollow Hills in 1968 working as a 5th grade classroom teacher at the Hills School for 10 years.  In 1978, when the Academically High Aptitude Program (AHAP) was formed, Mr. Stuart worked as a gifted teacher in the program for 30 years. From 2003 to 2008, Stuart was the facilitator of the AHAP Program until he retired in 2008.

Valerie G. Geiler, the districtwide Gifted Education AHAP and Enrichment Services Facilitator, said, "It truly is sad that this wonderful educator has passed away. Mr. Stuart dedicated his lfe to the children of the Half Hollow Hills School District, and committed his life to Gifted Education. Phil Stuart was not just a colleague, but a dear friend who left a lasting impact on all of us. His passion and creativity will live on in the halls of AHAP."

What is AHAP? The Academically High Aptitude Program was created in 1978 to provide growth opportunities and to serve the unique needs of the gifted population of the Half Hollow Hills School District. 

The school website explains that third graders are bussed to the Administration Center for one half day per week. They also receive one instructional block of time per week in the home buildings. Fourth and fifth graders each spend one full day at the magnet school. 

Students in grades three through five who have scored in the highest range on the standardized tests are placed in a pool of candidates. The district then selects 3% to 5% of each grade's population to participate in AHAP. Once a child is accepted into AHAP he/she need not re-qualify. New students are considered for admission every year in September. Students who do not qualify for AHAP are given consideration for enrichment services in the home buildings.