New Assistant Principals Named In Half Hollow Hills

The Half Hollow Hills Central School District is proud to announce the appointment of two new assistant principals to their school buildings. Half Hollow Hills High School East welcomes Mr. Shaun Hantzschel as a new assistant principal, and Paumanok Elementary School welcomes Mr. Steven Vitolano as its new assistant principal. The selections were made from a rich pool of highly qualified candidates who represented a mix of internal applicants and new faces to the district.

Hantzschel joins the administrative team at High School East after spending five years as a special education teacher in the building. In addition to instructing courses in social studies, English and mathematics, he worked with building and district personnel in formulating systems to improve testing logistics, student management and special education processes. In the spring of 2017, he served as an Interim Dean and has coordinated the student discipline program. Shaun earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Social Sciences from Dowling College, a Master of Science in Educational Technology from Long Island University, and his administrative credentials from the College of Saint Rose. Shaun resides in West Islip.

"I am extremely excited to continue serving at High School East, now in an administrative capacity. I am blessed to work with a supportive and cohesive faculty and staff who value learning and the education of children,” said Hantzschel. “I look forward to September and the school year ahead. Go Thunderbirds!"

Vitolano joins Half Hollow Hills after 12 years of teaching service in Queens within the New York City Department of Education. He spent three years at P.S. 38 and nine years at P.S. 176 in District 29. During his time at P.S. 176, he completed his school leadership internship and served on the Principal’s Instructional Cabinet. He also helped launch a new specialized math instruction initiative called Algebra for All and oversaw the school’s departmentalized 5th grade. Steven earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Loyola University (Maryland), a Master of Science in Education from Hofstra University, and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University. Steven, his wife, and two sons currently reside in Bay Shore.

“I am extremely excited to be joining this outstanding school district and community, with its commitment to learning and academic achievement,” said Vitolano. “I look forward to building new relationships here in Half Hollow Hills and working with the staff and students at Paumanok to make this upcoming school year very successful for all of our students.”

An education-oriented community with high academic expectations, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District is located in a residential area of 50,000 people in the central part of Long Island, approximately 40 miles from New York City. Providing for the education of more than 8,000 students, the school district has five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Half Hollow Hills High Schools are fully accredited by the New York State Department of Education and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The district is committed to providing all students with opportunities to excel in academics, athletics and the arts.