Studying District's Best Practices in Port Jefferson

Photo (courtesy of the Port Jefferson School District): Staff members, who served the Port Jefferson School District for more than 25 years, were honored during the district’s annual Superintendent’s Conference Day. From left: Port Jefferson Board of Education Vice President James Laffey; Board of Education President Kathleen Brennan; Rich Lautato, grounds department, Joan Tucci, elementary school nurse; Rich Lautato, grounds department and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Bossert.

District administrators, staff and teachers of the Port Jefferson School District gathered on Aug. 27 and 28 for the district’s annual Superintendent’s Conference Day in preparation for the 2014-2015 school year. This year’s conference theme was based on best practices.

Delivering the opening address was Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Bossert, who welcomed the staff back to school and noted the hard work done to ready the district’s schools for the new year.

“The faculty and staff have all worked hard over the summer to make the schools something we can be proud of,” said Bossert, who also urged teachers to make every moment count as a teaching moment.

Board of Education President Kathleen Brennan and Vice President James Laffey provided words of encouragement and Brian Snow, the president of the Port Jefferson Teachers Association, offered thoughts on best practices for having an impact on students’ lives.

Presenting grants for the 2014-15 school year was Peter Capobianco, a member of the Royal Educational Foundation of Port Jefferson. Those awarded were: Jonathan Maletta, Trout Conservation Program; Amy McClelland, The Buddy Bench; Megan Roth-Ueno, Forces & Motion with Technology; Gina Santini, Suffolk County Archeological Association Native Life Workshop; and Stacia Schoen, Food for Thought.

The district also welcomed new staff members, including Felicia Demsen, office staff member; Camille Doherty, leave replacement for high school math; Merrill Dona, office staff; Cathy Hoffman, office staff member for the physical education and athletics office; Megan Lavin, part-time high school English teacher; Jennifer Rodgers, leave replacement for high school guidance; and Thomas Tomaszewski, part-time physics teacher.

In addition, the district recognized staff members with more than 25 years of service. Among those recognized were Kevin Burr, grounds department; Rich Lautato, grounds department; and Joan Tucci, elementary school nurse.

Giving this year’s keynote address was middle school Principal Antonio Santana, who shared some of what he had learned during a workshop he had attended at Harvard University, including how technology relates to education, how students learn and globalization.