EUFSD - Board of Education Mtg - 6/10/25

001[Music] No, I I want to hit it hard. Good evening everyone. I'm Cynthia Cassim, the very proud principal of the Dutch Broadway School. Welcome. Welcome to our June board of education meeting. We are so happy you could join us. In the event of an emergency, I'd like to turn your attention to the emergency exits. We have two here in the front that will take you to the parking lot and we have one in the back that will take you to Dutch Broadway. Let's begin with our pledge of allegiance. Please stand. Salute. Pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. As June marks the end of the school year,

002it's a natural time to reflect, celebrate growth, and recognize all that has been achieved. Tonight, we have the privilege of celebrating incredible accomplishments, and highlighting the amazing work happening across the Elmont Union Free School District. We will honor our dedicated retirees and congratulate the teachers who have received tenure milestones that speak to the commitment, excellence, and contributions they have made. And of course, a special congratulations to our sixth grade scholars as they complete their elementary school journey and prepare for a uh prepare to begin an exciting new chapter full of possibilities. And now I will turn the meeting over to our board of education president, Mrs. Tiffany Capers. Thank you, M. Am I on? Thank you, Miss Cassim. May I have a motion to approve the meeting minutes of the regular May 13th meeting? Thank

003you, Mr. Ramos. Second. Second. Oh, thank you, Mr. Palmer. All in favor? I uh Miss Battle Perquette, Dr. Battle Perquette abstain. And so that's six yeses, seven, excuse me, five yeses and one abstension. Thank you. Uh may I have a motion to approve the certification meeting of May 20th as corrected? Most. Thank you, Miss Battle. Second, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Ramos. All in favor? I And another extension from Dr. Battle Borroette. Five. Yes. And one extension. Thank you. Uh, district clerk, let the record reflect that all board members are present except Miss Trisha Wong. Do we have any correspondence? Yes, the correspondence was given to the board for consideration. Thank you. Um, president's remarks. Um, I am we have a packed agenda tonight. So, I am not going to keep you. I know you would

004much rather hear from our amazing students and celebrate our wonderful staff. So, let me quickly quickly uh thank you all for all of your contributions and ser and support this school year and wish you all a safe and happy summer. Thank you. [Applause] Are there any audience members who would like to speak on agenda items only? The report of our Swanica Central High School District from our vice president, Miss Battle. Good evening, everyone. As we gather for the final board of education meeting for the 2024 2025 school year, we proudly close out with highlights from our high schools, each filled with excellence, celebration, and achievement. First up, Elmont Memorial High School. June has been nothing short of historic. Senior Afia Ahmed took fourth place at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Ohio, an

005extraordinary accomplishment on the world stage. Our marching band and music department bore pride and power to the VFW Memorial Day parade and several scholars were honored at the SEPTA awards ceremony, including Sulaman Riaz, Kaden Prince, and Brook Lefort. The pre the prestigious Benode Ragaban scholarship worth $20,000 each was awarded to Amira Elrening Edwards, Iman Teen, Afia Ahmed, and Amber Garcia Guzman. Our senior scholars continue to shine. Immani Lions and Chase Ridley earned scholarships from the Jack and Jill Foundation. Nasia Edwards and Michaela Noel were named athletes of the year and scholar athlete awards went to Amamira Elenting Edwards and Arlland Brown. A special shout out to our PAL students Charlie Diaz, Maris Duff, and Desmond Hester who are advancing to the next phase of the program at Floral Park. And at our senior awards, Cairo

006Campbell and Nashita Patel received the principal's award, while Nasier Edwards and Amira Elbert Edwards were honored as seniors of the year. Now to Swanica High School. From Broadway to the boardroom, our scholars explored everything from NYC theater to forensic accounting with the FBI. Students celebrated cultural through cooking with the French club, competed at the interd district smash brothers tournament, and participated in mental health awareness week with creative theme days. Seniors recently enjoyed their decision day barbecue and awards night while younger grades had moving up ceremonies, concerts, and awards shows to close out the year in style. And finally, at Floral Park High School, spring concerts packed bought packed houses and standing ovations with our while our musicians scored gold and silver at NISMA. On the track, county champions emerged and over 20 seniors participated in

007college signing day. Our scholars also shined at science fairs, poetry competitions, and through meaningful service like packing 10,000 meals for local families. Leanne Richardson and Michael Donovan were named athletes of the year and mental and mental health awareness, honor society, and pride month were all celebrated with heart and intention. As we wrap up an extraordinary school year, we look forward to the upcoming graduation ceremonies and wish our students, families, and staff a safe, fun, and joyfilled summer. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you, Miss Battle. Now, I'll turn the meeting over to Mrs. Small for the superintendent's report. Okay. Thank you, madam madame president. Uh good evening everyone. Uh thank you so much for uh being here. Um, before I get into my remarks, I want to start by saying a few thank yous. I want to

008thank uh Miss Celeste uh Lloyd and our food services department for catering this evening's event. So, please give them a warm round of applause. I also would like to thank uh Mr. Corey Walker and um the custodial or the facilities department for setting up uh in the cafeteria. So, I will ask you again to please give them a round of applause for that. A big thank you to our district uh clerk, Mrs. Barbara Gallo, to our assistant superintendent for HR, uh Dr. Leande, to our interim super interim director of curriculum and instruction, Mr. Robert Cavaleri, and a big thank you also to Mrs. Casim and the Dutch Broadway staff for hosting us tonight. We really wanted tonight to be special because tonight is a special board meeting and so we wanted to make sure that

009tonight's meeting would convey to each and every one of you tonight that uh we truly care about you and that we believe that milestones should be celebrated. So tonight's board meeting is a very special one. In fact, tonight's meeting is one of the most favorite meetings of this school year. Tonight, we will celebrate transitions, transitions into retirement. We will we will recognize excellence, and we will look forward to the future with optimism and gratitude. Our school district will pay tribute to our retiring teachers, staff, and an administrator. They have dedicated their careers to shaping the minds and the hearts of our students and our families. They have been mentors, guides, advocates. Their impact on our students has extended beyond the walls of our classrooms. So tonight, on behalf of our district, our board of education,

010our staff, and our students, I say thank you to each retiring staff member, to our teachers, and to Principal Natoli for your years of dedicated service to our students, for your passion, and for the difference you've made in the lives of our students and our school community. Tonight we will also recognize two long-erving board members, Mr. Michael Haimey and Dr. Tamika Battle Burrat who are concluding their service on the board. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your commitment, for your leadership, your guidance, and your sacrifice. Thank you for investing in the well-being of our students and the Elmont school community. Your impact on our district will continue long beyond the years of service you've you've given to the school board. We will also celebrate the achievement of o for for of over 21

011teachers who are earning tenure. This milestone achievement is a testament to your dedication, commitment to our students, their success and the element school community. We are proud to have each and every one of you as a valued member of our faculty and we are looking forward to your continued success with our students in the years to come. And finally, we will recognize and celebrate the achievements of our remarkable scholars. We will celebrate their hard work, their talents, and their perseverance. They have made us proud every step of the way, each and every day. Whether it's in the arts, on the ballroom floor, have you seen in the cafeteria or in the classroom, our scholars have consistently made us proud. They are simply the best students that we could have. And so we thank each and

012everyone in this room for your hands in helping to shape their futures. So to everyone being recognized and celebrated tonight, our retirees, our departing board members, our teachers receiving tenure, our remarkable students, thank you. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for your dedication and for the for the making a difference in the Elmont school district. Each of you has contributed to making our district a great place to live, to work, and to learn. In the words of Dr. Maya Angelou, if you are g if you are going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased. Each of you has made a remarkable mark on the Elmont School District. and tonight a grateful school district say thank you. So with that said, I would like to introduce

013Mr. Cavaleri who will begin to um recognize our our outstanding students. [Applause] Before we get started, I just want to give a big round of applause for our string orchestra, our marching band, and our dancing classroom students. They were absolutely phenomenal next door. So, I have to start with that. Good evening everyone and thank you for being here tonight. My name is Bob Cavaleri and I have the privilege of serving as the interimm director for curriculum and instruction for the Elmont Union Free School District. This evening we are proud to recognize and celebrate a number of outstanding scholars for their artistic creativity and scientific inquiry. Without further ado, let's get right into it. This past Saturday, June 7th, our Elmont schools proudly participated in the annual Paul Sapienza Elmont Belmont parade. Students, staff, and families

014from all six schools came together to march in celebration of our community and its connection to the historic Belmont Stakes. The parade concluded at Belmont Park where a special ceremony honored this year's grand marshall, our very own board of education president, Miss Capers, and recognized some truly talented young artists. Each year, the Pul Sapienza Elmont Belmont Parade Youth Art Contest invites students in grades four through six to showcase their creativity through artwork inspired by the theme celebrating Elmont and the Belmont Stakes. Through this contest, students reflect their love for Elmont and its vibrant history in meaningful and imaginative ways. Tonight, we are proud to present certificates of recognition to the winners of this year's contest. students who demonstrated exceptional artistic talent and creativity. Will the following students please come to the podium when your name

015is called? Miguel Lopez. I'm just going to Teddyanne Kixe all together. JL Ingram [Applause] Jamie Coransza Campos, Nancy Benny, [Applause] Samuel Munara, Osario, [Applause] Joshua Latif, [Applause] Gianna Obana. [Applause] And last but not least, Delila Gutierrez. [Applause] in a little tighter, guys. A little tighter. Congratulations. [Applause] Okay. Okay, tonight we are also proud to recognize the outstanding fourth grade scholars from the Olden Terrace School who participated in this year's dancing classrooms program. Over the course of 10 weeks, these students learned six classic ballroom dances, including the merang, tango, foxtrot, Roomba, swing, and waltz through a continued partnership with dancing classrooms of Long Island. Leading up to the event, students also explored the rich cultural history behind each dance, gaining not only choreography skills, but also a deeper appreciation for the global roots of ballroom dancing.

016Their journey culminated in a schoolwide dancing with the scholars showcase and for a select group an invitation to compete at the colors of the rainbow ballroom dancing showcase held at Long Beach High School. Representing Olden Terrace with pride. The team competed against six other schools from Nassau and Suffach counties, demonstrating exceptional teamwork, dedication, and grace. We are thrilled to share that these scholars earned an individual silver medal and brought home a school trophy. At this time, we are honored to present certificates of achievement to these talented young dancers in recognition of their hard work and success. Will the following students please come up to the podium to be recognized? Oscar Alvarado Ayala Jillian LCroy Emanuel [Applause] Jordan McCle [Applause] Stay right here. Story PA. Jace Crump, [Applause] Hunter Clark, Kingsley Mun, [Applause] Savannah Persal, [Applause]

017Avery Biffield. [Applause] Congratulations, Emma Williams. Kyrie Dela Cruz, [Applause] Tovia Eko [Applause] and Vessel Lorton. And we cannot we also need to give a big big round of applause for the coach of the dancing classrooms, Mr. Terry Lewis. Congratulations. [Applause] Look at the cameras. Cameras. under everybody. Eyes open. Great job, guys. [Applause] I would like to now invite up Miss Casim to present our next award. [Applause] Good evening everyone again. Okay. On Thursday, May 29th, the Elmont Union Free School District proudly hosted its annual science research symposium at Gotham Avenue School. This event gave families the opportunity to explore the remarkable research our students conducted throughout the year, highlighting their curiosity, perseverance, and commitment to scientific inquiry. Each student who participated was recognized with a certificate and medal to honor their dedication and achievement. We

018are especially proud to share that two of our student research teams from the Dutch Broadway School have earned top honors at the prestigious New York State Science and Engineering Fair held on April 29th. These students were named Grand award winners, a distinction that reflects their extraordinary scientific thinking, hard work, and academic excellence. They have also been invited to attend a formal awards ceremony on June 12th at Planeage Plain View Old Beth Page JFK High School where their accomplishments will be recognized along other top scholars including high schoolers from across the region. Tonight, we will take a moment to formally honor these outstanding students for their success. When your name is called, please come up to the podium to be recognized. I'd also like to call Mrs. Ayafrey, the science research advisor, to join me in

019presenting these certificates. You know I'm going to call you Dave Walker and Usuzman Shake for their research titled the effect of cumula longa on the regeneration rate of lumbricculus variegatus. [Applause] Teddy and Collelex, Terrence Brew, and Samantha Ortiz for their research titled The Effect of Sodium Chloride on the Heart rate of Def Daphnneia Magna. Please join me in giving these young scientists a well-deserved round of applause for their exceptional work. [Applause] Congratulations, Dad. Okay. The next part of our program, we'd like to introduce Miss Deborah Buchanan, the president of the EDA Teachers Association to present the IDA Sixth Grade Awards. [Applause] Good evening everybody. As you said, my name is Debbie Buchanan and I am the extra proud president of the Elmont Elementary Teachers Association. And this evening I'm joined by Megan Ambersino, our first

020vice president, uh, Meredith Walweber, our treasurer, and Ann Marie Darollo, our secretary. Is this not the best night ever to celebrate? Now, give yourselves a round of applause. Elmont proud. We are so honored to present the eater award for outstanding achievement in sixth grade to one student from each and every sixth grade class across the district. Each recipient will receive a $50 Amazon gift card to support their love of learning, whether it's through books or something else that sparks their curiosity. These award recipients embody qualities we deeply admire. dedication, kindness, and leadership. We, their teachers, are incredibly proud and confident that this is just the beginning of many achievements. Congratulations to our sixth grade awardees and their families because, you know, we can't wait to see all that you're going to accomplish in the future.

021Now, when you hear your name, please come forward to receive your award. From the Alden Terrace School, Arya Kamaludin, Leah Mloud, and Darnell Ellis. Way to go, Alden. And now we go to the Cobert Avenue School. Way to go, buddy. from the Covert AIU School. I'd like to welcome up Jaden Hanaman, Cidra Montaha, Beli Belino Dort, Callie Robertson, and Jonathan Morio. And now we move on to Clara H. Crossson, Cassilda, Aido, Idogo, Biffield, Dalon, Himenez, Gdoi, Aaliyah, Alam, Abdul Kadus, Ozigi, Zoe Armador Aguilerara. [Applause] That's Aaliyah. Emily and Emily Ce. I skipped Emily. There you go. Did we catch up? Abdul, you buddy. Congratulations. Did we get everybody from I called him Hong Kong. Okay, now we move on to Gotham Avenue where we have Genevieve Obana, Miley Aulera Bul Sanichar, Haleen Almanzar, and Alva

022Alvarez. Congratulations. And now we move on to the kids from home base here. Dutch Broadway Ayana Kizar. Congratulations. Emanuela. Step over to the side a little bit. Desiree Bell and Teddyanne Kix. And last but certainly not least are our friends from the Steuart Manor School. That's right. Donna Aila Vasquez, Vivian, Antioch, and Lyanna Muala. [Applause] Way to go, Elmont. You are simply the best. [Applause] and fold it like this. Hold it like this. Make sure everybody gets pull back. Just double checking. Is Ayanna Kizar here? We want to make sure she has a chance to come up and have her picture taken. And Leah Mloud. Put this under your chin. Okay. Thank you for the opportunity. [Applause] Uh we will continue. Uh so throughout the course of the year, our students here at Dutch Broadway

023have been engaged in fundraising efforts to give back to veterans and to give back to our community. I would like to invite uh Miss Deb Bennett to talk to you about our fundraising efforts here at Dutch Broadway. Thank you, Mr. Small. Thank you, Board of Ed. I'll get right into it. On Thursday, May 22nd, Dutch Broadway School hosted our 12th annual Building Homes for Heroes Walkathon Memorial Day event. On that day, our students, staff, and faculty were encouraged to walk and or run in honor of our soldiers who were wounded while fighting for our country to defend our freedom. We also showed our appreciation to first responders who proudly put on their uniform every day and risk all to keep us safe. This organization renovates, modifies, builds, and then gifts homes to their recipients. Our

024students were able to hear firsthand the experiences of home recipient, United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Matthew Benny, as well as a 102-year-old World War II veteran, Army Sergeant Benjamin Jerimia, members of our very own American Legion Post 1033, Marine Corps veteran Bill the Canman Urinck, and many family members of our students and staff who are in the military or who are first responders. Our students and their families donated funds. Our staff participated in denim days known as military Mondays. We sold t-shirts. We bought tickets for several raffle baskets. Our fifth grade students participated in the New York Islanders Cultural Inspirations Patch program. And the funds from the sale of those patches and stickers were donated to the organization. We also were blessed with donations from several organizations who are inspired by the work that

025Building Homes for Heroes has done. I organize this event each year alongside my fifth grade colleague Melissa O'Brien, my PE partner, Mr. Tim Smith, and my daughter Katie. On behalf of them and our entire Dutch family, we are so pleased to announce that our school raised $14,396 this year. [Music] Thank you. This this brings our 12-year total to $139,846. It is my extreme pleasure to introduce you to Building Homes for Heroes finance manager Danny Hernandez. Fun fact, Danny was a student at Clara Carlson and a 2012 graduate of Salonica High School. Hey everyone, I just want to say thank you again to Deborah Bennett, of course, and the amazing work that she's done to raise money for building homes for heroes. And just thank you and have a good night, everyone. Good evening everyone. On

026behalf of the Elmont Union Free School District, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our retirees. Can we give all of our retirees a round of applause, please? You may not believe this, but all together, our retirees have a combined 311 years and three months of service to the Elmont School District. We would like to thank each and one each and every single one of you for your years of dedicated service, your commitment to our students and the lasting impact that you have made on our school community. Your contributions have helped to shape countless lives of students and your legacy will continue through the work that you have done. We wish you health, joy, and fulfillment in the next chapter of your life. Congratulations and thank you. At this time, we would like

027to invite Miss Anmaria Matuli, bus attendant, who has served our students in our district for 25 years and seven months. Congratulations, Miss Ematuli. Congratulations. [Applause] Miss Susan Casta could not be with us this evening. We would like to congratulate her on her retirement and for her eight years of service. Thank you. At this time, we would like to invite Miss Virginia Raphael from Covert Avenue School, serving as clerical for the past years. Thank you for your 23 years of service. At this time, we would like to invite Miss Maria Gilbert, PPS clerical, for her 32 years of service to the students of the Elmont School District. Thank you. like to invite Miss Sharon McNammani from Covert Avenue, teacher aid, 18 years and five months of service. Thank you. I'd like to invite Miss Brenda Glenn.

028Come on up from Clara H. Pollson, teacher aid, serving our students for the past 16 years. Thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you so much. Mera Fusula could not be here with us this evening. She works at Clare H. Carlson School as a teacher aid and she served in that capacity for 30 years and seven months. Thank you. I'd like to invite Miss Marina Jimenez from Alden Terrace School as a teacher aid serving for 25 years and 8 months. Congratulations and thank you so much for your service. No, come back. Come back. Yes. All the retarders are called like to invite Miss Cilla affectionately known as Inz Mangar from Covert Avenue School Food Service. Serving our wonderful students for the past 34 years and five months. Yes. 34 years and five months. Thank

029you. Thank you so much for your service. This time we would like to invite Mr. Peter Abrams from Covert Avenue School, custodian serving our students in our district for the past 20 years. [Applause] Miss Anmarie Bop serving in the capacity of AIS provider at Steuart Manor for the past 31 years and 7 months. 31 years. And please take a note from Miss Bot because she came into my office and she said, "I'd love to be a substitute teacher." So come on back. Yes. I'd like to invite Miss Diane Se from Gotham Avenue School ENL teacher serving our students for the past 33 years. Congratulations. We appreciate you. Yes. At this time, we would like to invite the principal of Covert Avenue School, Mrs. Mary Nati, for serving our students for the past 13 years. Congratulations.

030Thank you for your service. [Music] Congratulations everyone. Would like to invite all of the retirees to please come up for a group picture. All retirees, please come up for a group picture. Don't be shy. Let's give them another round of applause, please, as they come up. We're talking about 311 years of service. Yes, you may give them a standing ovation. 311 years of service. That is absolutely remarkable. Remarkable. Is that everyone? Very young. [Applause] You have the number. Now we turn to recognizing our board members. Uh one of the things that when you are serving on a board, you're sacrificing your time, you're volunteering your time, uh you are providing leadership, resources, support to our school district so we could celebrate the wonderful work that our students have done. And one of the things that

031I've come to learn is that our board members often times uh do not get the praises but they hear the criticisms right uh they hear all the things that go wrong often but never uh are they told the great things that are happening. Uh so we are going to recognize and thank them for their service tonight. First uh we want to recognize uh Miss Battle who this is her first year on the board and she has completed her training that is required by NISBA which is the testament to her dedication and the the seriousness of which she takes her work and so I have a certificate for uh Miss Lynet Battle for completing your your your leadership uh training on the board of education. Thank you. We have two longerving members who are departing, retiring,

032moving on to greener pastors or moving on to different things. It is indeed an end of an era. And so tonight, a grateful school district would like to say thank you. We'd like to say thank you to Dr. Tamika Battle Berquette for her 12 years of service on the school board. In add in addition to the wonderful plaque that Dr. Burquhead has we have um a few citations um from our uh United um our United States Senator Kristen Gillibrand. We have citations from our uh a few of them here from our house um representative and um we also have it from our assembly assembly representative uh Salage. Okay. And we also have a citation from the NASA county clerk. So, all right. And I think we have legislator Salage here, but we're going to wait

033until uh um Mr. Haimey comes up. Now, Mr. Haimey uh has been around a long time, and uh I think he's been along around a long time um for um he's might have played a leading role in the hiring of many of the people sitting in this room. And so, tonight is an end of an era. And we'd like to thank him as well for his many years of service to the Elmont School community. Mr. Haimey will be moving on to the Boseis board, but we know that he it started right here in Elmont and so a grateful district. Say thank you tonight, sir, for your service. Thank you for your leadership and thank you for all the things that you have done. And I would like to introduce our legislator, Salange, to say a

034few words. Good evening. My name is Carrie Aier Salaj. I am a NASA county legislator, but most importantly, I'm a graduate of Dutch Broadway School. This is an amazing school. Um during my tenure as a legislator, it has been my honor to serve our community as a public servant. There are different types of public servants. There are members of this board of education who are very selfless people, who are very humble people, but the reward seeing that you have been able to influence a generation of minds in our community collectively is amazing. You know a person like myself believes that through the law we can uplift society but you two believe that through education you can uplift our people and yes you accomplish that goal. I have seen directly how you have benefited the many

035families in our community and not just in this school but you took your care for our children as if they were your own children beyond these school walls to make sure that this community was a safe community. and we thank you for helping to make contributions to the improvements we have along Dutch Broadway uh road to make it a safer road. Uh it is my pleasure as a county legislator to provide proclamations. But when you are able to do that to people you know who you have seen personally make countless sacrifices and have so much dedication to children, it is truly a special night. Thank you again for allowing me to be here tonight for allowing me to speak. But it was a great honor on behalf of Nassau County uh 1.4 million people through

036the legislature. We provide this proclamation to you Mr. Michael Haimey and to you Dr. Tama Battle Berquette for your countless years of dedication to our children and our community. Thank you very much. Thank you. [Applause] Okay, what a great and night of so many great things happening here tonight. And we're going to continue uh with our teachers who are up for tenure. And um we are so proud of every single one of our teachers here in Elmont. They work so incredibly hard and this is uh an honor for me to stand up here to present tenure. Um I have the privilege of presenting uh tenure to the teachers at Olden Terrace this evening. Um so the first teacher I'd like to call down is Miss Ebony Hubard. [Music] [Applause] It is with great pride that

037I recommend Miss Ebony Hubard for tenure. Miss Hubard is a passionate and dedicated kindergarten teacher who consistently goes above and beyond to support her students both inside and outside the classroom. Whether she is overseeing the STEP program, leading an afterchool club, or showcasing her artistic talents with her dance troop, Miss Hubard brings energy, heart, and excellence to everything she does. Her commitment to student growth, her joy in teaching, and her deep sense of responsibility to the school community make her an invaluable member of the Olden Terrace team. It is a great honor to nominate her for this well-deserved recognition. Job well done, Miss Huard. I would also like to invite down from the Oldland Terrace School, Miss Paulisa Jafferian. [Applause] I am pleased to recommend Miss Jaferian for tenure. She is a hard-working and passionate

038educator who consistently demonstrates kindness and genuine care for her students. Her dedication to supporting English language learners and fostering an inclusive classroom environment is truly commendable. Miss Jaferian consistently goes above and beyond for her students. Miss Jaferian creates unique culturally diverse learning experience that immerse students in the English language, enriching their academic journey. Each September, she leads our vibrant Hispanic Heritage Month assembly and has taken the initiative to learn Heggerty, providing her students with essential phonics exposure during English as a new language sessions. Her professionalism, flexibility, and constant smile are unmatched. The genuine love and dedication she shows to her students reflect her deep passion for their success. We at Olden Terrace are genuinely honored to recommend her for tenure this evening. Congratulations. And last but not least from the Olden Terrace School, we'd like

039to also invite down Miss Megan Smith. [Applause] I am proud to recommend Miss Smith for tenure. She is a dynamic and dedicated prek teacher who goes above and beyond for her students and our school community. In addition to her excellent classroom instruction, she generously offers her time to teach after school and leads a handson science program during the Saturday enrichment program. Her passion for early childhood education and commitment to engaging young learners in meaningful hands-on learning is truly inspiring. Job well done, Miss Smith. Congratulations. And I'd like to call down from the Clara H. Carlson School, Miss Stacia Waffle. [Applause] Thank you and good evening. I have Miss Posella here, one of our assistant principles as we honor our three teachers from Clare H. Carlson that are receiving ten tenure this evening. I'd first like

040to call up Miss Deborah Gluck. going in alphabetical order here. Okay. I'm happy to re recommend Miss Gluck for tenure in her role as a speech language pathologist. She currently provides services to students in our ABA classes. Although she's receiving her tenure today, she has been a speech pathologist for over 20 years. Over the years, she took time to raise her sons. Uh, and outside of school, she enjoys going to the beach, spending time with her family. Her inspiration to becoming a speech pathologist came from her mom, who was a special education teacher. At CHC, she works closely with the students in their diverse communication needs, welcoming families to our special education programs and leading parent trainings. She also contributes to our building advisory committee and takes an active role in neurodeiversity awareness week. Deborah,

041you continue to teach our students verbally to express themselves, something many of us take for granted. You advocate for their needs and help them find their voice. I recently spoke to a parent of a student you work with and asked to share how his speech has developed this year. She told me that speech is the most essential service her child receives. Despite the daily challenges of raising a child with autism, who many consider non-verbal, she's incredibly grateful for the progress he's made and the credits you to much of his growth. Hearing him produce simple sounds or using his AAC device effectively brings joy to her heart. She knows that when he is able to speak, he will say two very powerful words. Thank you. Congratulations to Miss Gluck on her tenure. Next we have Miss

042Michelle Ltori. I'm happy to re recommend Miss Michelle Ltori for tenure in her role as elementary school teacher. She currently teaches kindergarten at Carlson. Miss Lator has lived in Elmont for over 15 years as and is connected to our community. One of her sons attends San Monica and the other one attends Co Avenue School. Outside of school, she enjoys staying active, cheering on her kids as a sports mom and training with them. Teaching has always been her dream. Inspired her by her mother, a preschool teacher, Michelle pursued a degree in education and became the first in her family to graduate from college. At CHC, she's involved in school initiatives like New York Road Runners Track Club, where each participating student received a free pair of Nike sneakers. Michelle, your calm, supportive presence combined with your

043skillful instruction and advocacy for all students creates a learning environment where our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. I want to remind you of this message I received from one of your parents that was randomly texted to me on March 6th of this year. I wanted to let you know about Zayn's teacher, Miss Latori. When I picked him up on Tuesday, I saw him and two classmates playing with her, and it was a joy to watch. As a former teacher and someone who represents educators at both the local and statewide levels, I know how important the student teacher relationship is. It was clear to me that she has the students respect and genuinely cares about them. Beyond that, she has helped Zayn improve academically in ways we could never have imagined. Seeing the impact she

044has on him and his classmates was really nice to see. And my texted response was, "Good morning. I literally had this conversation with her yesterday after her pre-observation conference. She has a lesson coming up this week. We spoke about her growth that he she has shown instructionally, but I also highlighted the evident love and patience she has for our children. I let her know that I see her heart. Congratulations. And our last DAT teacher, Filamina Scho, I'm happy to recommend Miss Shaw for tenure as role as the elementary school teacher. She currently teaches third grade at Clarage Carlson School and I know Michelle will love to teach fifth grade again. Although Michelle is receiving tenure in Elmont today, she brings nearly 20 years of teaching experience. A former Elmont resident for 266 years, she's a

045proud Carlson graduate and a Sana High School graduate. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on her son at hockey games and running half marathons. Her passion began for teaching in first grade, inspired by her teacher, Mrs. Bone. She still remembers the impact Mrs. Bone had when she visited her home one summer to deliver books, a simple gesture that made her feel truly seen and valued. at CHC. She's involved as the student council advisor and talent show coordinator to name a few. Filamina, your classroom environment is one of warmth and positivity. You've developed a culture where students feel truly valued as seen just as Mrs. Bone made you feel. I had a recent conversation with your mom, Filamina Brousella, who just retired in January from the Elmont school district as

046a teacher aid for 32 years. I asked her thought I asked her what she thought you would be when you were little. She told me you played school every day and your students were your brother and your family members. And she knew you would one day become a teacher. Apparently, your brother wasn't the most cooperative student and he gave you a bit of a hard time, but that never stopped you. Your mom said you never wavered. Being a teacher was always your dream. And today, you're living the dream, continuing to be an amazing educator and as you always set out to be, supporting your students with the same passion you had as a child. As we say at Clare H. Carlson, you ladies are amazing. You are important. You are awesome. You are intelligent. You

047are our future. You are our purpose. We need you. We love you. Continue to imagine, believe, achieve, and inspire. Congratulations. I'd like to call up Miss Nati, Miss Gun, and Miss Donna Hugh from Co Avenue School. Thank you. Um, good evening everyone. And I'd first of all, I'd like to thank the board of education to have this honor tonight to present a recommendation for tenure and also for honoring me. I do feel very appreciated. I thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. And with me, I do have my two wonderful APS, my right hand and my left hand. You can decide which one you want to be, right or left. Depends upon how you write. Um, but tonight we have two teachers from the Covert Avenue School who are being recommended for

048tenure. First, I'd like to introduce to you Miss Christina Gova. Tonight we gather to honor an individual whose dedication to education and unwavering compassion has left an indelible mark on our community. Christina Christina's journey in education began at Covert Avenue School. She is a graduate of Covert Avenue School and Swanica High School. It is also a testament to her commitment and passion. Currently, she is serving as a fourth grade teacher at the Covert Avenue School and has demonstrated with demonstrated without hesitation her commitment to our school and our school district. What truly sets Christina apart is not just her impressive cred credentials, but her heart. Her students thrive under her guidance, not only academically, but also emotionally. She fosters an environment where every child feels seen, heard, and valued. Her colleagues often speak of her

049unwavering positivity, collaborative spirit, and the genuine care she extends to everyone around her. In recognizing Christina, we celebrate more than just an educator. We honor a beacon of excellence and compassion. Her impact resonates far beyond the confines of her classroom, inspiring all those who have the privilege to know her. Thank you, Christina, for your unwavering dedication and the profound difference you make every day. And also, congratulations on being recommended for tenure tonight. Okay, next up at bat we have Miss Caitlyn Simmons. If she would please join us. It is with great admiration that I have the opportunity to speak about Miss Simmons or Caitlyn as I referred to her, a dedicated special education teacher at Covert Avenue School. Since joining the Elmont Union Free School District, I believe in 2019. Yep. Caitlyn has demonstrated an

050unwavering commitment to her students, particularly in her role as leave replacement for a self-contained class. Currently at Covert Avenue, she's working in a a grade 56 self-contained classroom. Caitlyn's approach to education is both innovative and compassionate. She possesses remark the remarkable ability to identify and implement diverse methods tailored to meet the unique needs of each and every one of her students. She has taken non-readers and made them readers. This individualized approach ensures that every child receives the support they need to thrive both academically and personally. Beyond her teaching responsibilities, Kaitlin brings a sense of quiet peace to our school community. Her very calm demeanor and thoughtful presence have a positive impact on both our students and colleagues alike. Caitlyn's dedication to education extends beyond the classroom. She is currently pursuing her PhD, a testament to

051her commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth. Caitlyn Simmons exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator, dedication, innovation, compassion, and commitment to continuous improvement. We are fortunate to have her as part of our Elmont community. I would like to congratulate you, Caitlyn, on your recommendation for tenure. And next up, I'd like to introduce I believe it would be Mrs. Cassine from the Dutch Broadway School, The Home Team Advantage. Joining me are my two assistant principles, Mr. Brendan Alfieri and Dr. Ed Thomas. I'd like to thank Mr. Small for giving me the privilege to introduce and congratulate seven outstanding teachers who have achieved the noteworthy accomplishment of being granted tenure. Each of these educators has left a lasting impression on our school community, shown a strong commitment to teaching quality, and shown unshakable dedication to their

052students. They deserve this recognition because of their expertise, dedication, and hard work. As they continue to influence and mold our kids' lives for years to come, please join us in congratulating the following educators. First, I proudly recognize Miss Karina Kuba for earning tenure. [Music] Let's go. Where is she? Where? Oh, there you go. Come on. [Applause] A welldeserved milestone that reflects her outstanding dedication to her students and both the Clara H. Carlson and Dutch Broadway School communities. Miss Kuba's impact extends far beyond the art room. She has inspired student creativity through her involvement in Dutch Broadway's afterchool sculpture and printmaking clubs as well as the district's Saturday and summer enrichment. She's been supportive by leading events during family steam night, literacy night, and multiple art showcases where her passion for interdisciplinary learning truly shines. She

053plays an integral role in planning and designing our annual 3D art sculpture showcase, including themed events such as Dutch's Bakery, Duchess Diner, and this year's Duchess Tea Party. Through these experience, students proudly displayed their artistic talents as a unified and creative student body. Miss Kuba also shares her talents with colleagues, offering professional development through Carlson College and supporting school spirit while collaborating with the PTA. A committed member of Dutch Broadway's diverse equity, diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, she champions inclusion and student voice, her general art units align with the monthly diversity themes, helping students to explore different cultures, perspectives, and and identities through creative expression. while fostering empathy, appreciation, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Known for her organization, patience, and creativity, Miss Kuba is a soft-spoken, collaborative, reflective educator who continues

054to enrich the you Elmont Union Free School District, the district in which she experienced her very own educational journey. Congratulations, Miss Kuba. Her students described her as talented, patient, awesome, and arty. [Applause] I am now honored to celebrate Mrs. Randy Ayrady. an honor that reflects her deep commitment to student achievement, professional excellence, and community engagement. Known for creating a warm, inclusive, and academically challenging classroom, Mrs. Ayrady builds strong relationships with students and families while using data to meet the individual learning needs. Outside the classroom, she has made a lasting impact through her roles as afterchool literacy STEM club host and member of the building advisory and curriculum writing teams. She enriched family engagement by leading activities during family literacy and math nights and even shared her Puerto Rican heritage during our v virtual diversity cook

055night. Mrs. Zia Freddy has also supported students as a girls on the run mentor and supporter and brought innovation to the summer enrichment program where her entrepreneurship unit empowered students to think like future business leaders. Most notably as the science research coordinator, Mrs. Ayafrey has provided students with meaningful opportunities to engage in scientific inquiry through research and hands-on experiences. She skillfully guides students through the process of developing and executing original science projects, preparing them to present their work alongside high school students at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair. For the past two years, under her dedicated mentorship, students from Dutch Broadway have not only participated in the fair, but have also earned awards for their outstanding scientific achievements. Remarkably, Dutch Broadway is the only elementary school in the district to receive this level

056of recognition. An accomplishment that speaks volumes about Mrs. Eyafhres's leadership, high expectations, and the exceptional learning opportunity she provides for her students. Her students described her as nurturing, mindful, big-hearted, encouraging, positive, and respectful. She is reflective, passionate educator and we're thrilled to recognize her with this well earned milestone. Congratulations Mrs. Ira. They get to keep it for a svenir. Okay. Next, I am thrilled to recognize Miss Janelle James as she earns tenure. A reflection of her dedication, professionalism, and deep commitment to student success, Miss James is a passionate educator who goes above and beyond to support her students both inside and outside the classroom. From leading after-school clubs like creative journal writing, fitness club, and Disney club to supporting students in our Saturday enrichment and summer school programs, she has enriched student learning across many

057settings. Miss James also plays a vital role in our diversity committee and the teachers of tomorrow program, helping foster an inclusive school culture and support future educators. She continually sharpens her practice through professional development and is known for her strong communication with families, thoughtful differentiation and advoc advocacy for student services. Her softspoken voice and calm demeanor fosters a warm, nurturing classroom environment that provides a sense of comfort and security for our youngest learners as they begin their school journey. She is open to feedback and new ideas, using them to design engaging and impactful lessons tailored to her students needs. Under her thoughtful guidance, students leave pre kindergarten well prepared to take on the challenges of kindergarten with some even beginning to read in June. Her prek students um described her as helpful, kind, and a

058good person. She's collaborative, student centered educator, and we are proud to celebrate her well-deserved tenure. Congratulations, Miss James. Today I proudly recognize Miss Michaela Morisi. A milestone that reflects her unwavering commitment to students professional excellence and the values of our school community. Since joining the district, Miss Morphei has consistently demonstrated the qualities of an exceptional educator, compassion, adaptability, and a deep dedication to student success. Miss Morphei has gone above and beyond her classroom responsibilities to support students across a wide range of settings. She has participated in nearly every Saturday enrichment session, offering targeted support in both math and literacy. She has played an important role in the summer program working closely with preK students who require additional academic and emotional support. Her work demonstrates her ability to meet the needs of diverse learners with care

059and precision. Her contributions extend beyond academics. Miss Morphei has led several after-school clubs. She most notably she served as a dedicated coach for the girls on the run over the past three seasons, fostering self-confidence, resilience, and teamwork under her student uh among her students. Under her guidance, all our marathon participants have been able to complete the 5K run with students from across Nassau County, a culminating event that occurs every season. These activities show her commitment to educating the whole child and building a school environment where all students feel included, inspired, and supported. Miss Morphei is also a collaborative and reflective educator who w works well with colleagues, share ideas openly, and is always willing to look for ways to improve her practice. Her transition from prek to co-eing in a first grade classroom is a

060testim a testament to her versatility and commitment to continuous learning. She creates a joyful and structured environment where students feel safe to take risks and grow. Her first grade teachers describe her as sweet, smart, funny, cool, and the absolute best teacher. Your hard work, heart, and dedication have made a lasting impact, and we look forward to the many ways you will continue to enrich our school community. All right. It is with great pride I recognize Mr. Jonathan Ortiz. Since joining our school community, Mr. Ortiz has proven himself to be a dedicated, reflective, and impactful educator. He brings energy and innovation to his classroom, consistently supporting students with thoughtful, datadriven instruction and building strong relationships with both families and colleagues. Mr. Ortiz's softspoken nature and calm demeanor create a warm, nurturing environment that helps our first

061graders feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. On any given day, you can find him working closely with small groups of students, often in one of his signature matching shirt and sock combos, adding a fun and personal touch that his students love. His classroom is a lively space filled with handson, engaging activities that spark curiosity and make learning meaningful. Through his gentle approach and creative instruction, Mr. Mr. Ortiz fosters a classroom community where students thrive both academically and socially. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Ortiz has played an active role in enriching student life. From leading afterchool drone club and Saturday enrichment sessions to participating in family steam night and virtual cook night. He brings learning to life in meaningful and engaging ways. While teaching our students and their families how to cook stuffed pepper poppers that

062were kid approved, he shared information about his heritage and family memories. Mr. Ortiz is bilingual in Spanish, a tremendous asset that enhances communication and creates an inclusive, welcoming space for our families. His commitment to professional growth demonstrated through a wide range of workshops in SEAL, DEI, literacy, math, and technology ensures he continually he's continually evolving to meet the needs of his students. His first grade students describe him as thoughtful, kind, fantastic, and ablas espanol. So, congratulations, Mr. Ortiz um for your passion, innovation and heart have made a lasting difference in our school community. All right. Is with great pleasure I acknowledge Mr. Daniel Savverino. I didn't do it as good as you. Right. I know. I know. Since joining our school community, Mr. Savverino has consistently demonstrated what it means to be a dedicated, reflective,

063and student centered educator. He brings an energy and enthusiasm to his classroom that fosters a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment. One where students are not only supported, but inspired to take risks and grow both academically and socially. One of Mr. Savino's greatest strength is his ability to connect with his students. His positive demeanor and caring approach help establish strong relationships that support support both learning and emotional development. He thoughtfully adapts his instruction to meet the needs of all of his learners and his willingness to reflect and make adjustments have helped his students succeed at all levels. Outside the classroom, Mr. Savverino is a true contributor to the school community. He has served as an adviser for the broadcasting club, encouraging student voice and creativity. His participation in family steam night, where he leads hands-on

064activities, reflects his commitment to engaging families in the learning process during the the challenges of the CO9 pandemic. Mrs. Savverino went above and beyond by supporting students in the afterchool tutorial program, ensuring they continued the to receive the academic they helped they needed in a remote environment. He co-founded the boys self-esteem fitness team creating a space for our male students to build confidence, community, and physical wellness. Mr. Savino also understands the importance of lifelong learning. He has completed a variety of Boseies and indust industry professional development workshops. Um he is a collaborative team member who welcomes feedback, shares ideas with colleagues and is always working to grow professionally. All right. His students describe him as his fifth grade students here helps us learn in a fun way. Draws pictures to help us understand. He's positive,

065easygoing, and chill. Congratulations, Mr. Severino. He's also my birthday twin. I had to put that in there. Okay. Lastly, I proudly recognize Miss Carolyn Schlatter. This is an acknowledgement of her excellence as an educator and her outstanding contributions to the Dutch Broadway School community. Since joining our district, Miss Schlatter has proven herself to be a dedicated, reflective, and highly effective teacher. She brings intention and care to every aspect of her work from her classroom instruction to her leadership and schoolwide initiatives. As the grade level leader for second grade and a member of both the social emotional learning and building advisory committees, Miss Schlatter plays a critical role in shaping a positive collaborative culture within the school. Beyond her leadership roles, Miss Schlatter has consistently gone above and beyond to support the students and families. She

066has contributed to family literacy, math, and steam nights, creating meaningful hands-on experiences and memories. She has also led Dutch Broadway's after-school science and art clubs, participated in the Saturday enrichment program, and partnered with the AIS staff to deliver a parent ELA workshop, helping to strengthen the homeschool connection. Miss Schlatter's commitment to professional growth is equally impressive. Her involvement in Elmont's curriculum writing team helped shaped instructional resources across the district and she even presented her team's work during superintendence conference days hiding highlighting her leadership and collaborative spirit. In the classroom, Miss Schlatter is deeply student centered. She uses data to inform her practice, differentiates instruction, creates an environment where all learners feel supported and challenged. Her classroom is vibrant and inviting, filled with bright colors, and creates an energetic and welcoming atmosphere. This dynamic approach not

067only makes learning enjoyable, but also encourages curiosity, collaboration, and deeper understanding among students. Her second grade students describe her as kind, helpful, loving, smart. She knows how to help us so we can get it. Congratulations, Miss Slatter. All right. And now I'd like to invite Mr. Mingo and his APS. [Applause] Thank you very much, Mrs. Cassim. Good evening, Madame President, trustees, Superintendent Small, and the Elmont community. Joining me this evening are my two wonderful assistant principles, Mrs. Fina and Mrs. Rodrigo. [Applause] I'm honored to speak on behalf of Miss Juliano in support of her tenure. Miss Juliano, please make your way to the podium. She is an exceptional educator whose influence is felt across every corner of our school. In her classroom, she fosters a learning environment that is both academically rigorous and emotionally supportive.

068Her students thrive under her guidance. Outside the classroom, Miss Juliano leads with initiative and heart. She has developed enrichment opportunities like afterchool tutoring and creative clubs that inspire our learners learners. Her targeted support in early literacy and math has helped strengthen essential skills for our youngest students. She's also deeply invested in building strong partnerships with partnerships with families through workshops, title one events, and the Gotham parent workshop series. She equips our families with tools to support learning at home. Miss Juliano is a trusted colleague, a student advocate, and a consistent contributor to our school's growth. It is with great pride and great pride that I recommend her for tenure. [Applause] Mrs. McGruda, please make your way to the podium. It is a pleasure to speak in support of Mrs. McGruda's tenure. She is a skilled

069and compassionate educator who brings both structure and creativity to her classrooms classroom. Her lessons are thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse needs of her students and she consistently fosters a space where every child feels empowered to learn and grow. Miss McGruda contri contributions extend well beyond instruction. She co-advises student government guiding students in civic engagement through participation participation in community parades. She directed a memorable first grade performance at a board meeting honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. giving students a me a meaningful platform to express themselves. She also launched our school's first crochet club, an initiative sparked by student interest that has grown into a space for collaboration and creativity. Her involvements in events like college and career day and international night reflects her commitment to building a vibrant inclusive school culture. Miss McGruda is

070thoughtful, dependable, and deeply invested in the success of our of her students and and the school. It is with great pride that I recommend Mrs. McGruda for tenure. Mrs. Pierado, please make your way to the podium. I'm honored to speak on behalf of Miss Perado in support of her tenure. She serves as a special education co-teer at Gotham where she provides targeted instruction through small math groups, intervention blocks, and evidence-based programs like foundation, go math, and responsive in instruction. She also goes she also she also she's also go the gold math liaison leading professional development sessions to help staff effectively use HMI resources for differentiated instruction. Miss Propado is actively involved in schoolwide initiatives. She she's contributed to family engagement night, international night, and steam/iteracy night, offering hands-on activities and take-home resources for families. She's

071created QR codebased math reviews to help students revisit key concepts independently, blending technology with instruction. Miss Propado is reliable, knowledgeable, and collaborative. and and is Miss Pipado is a reliable, knowledgeable and collaborative educator who consistently contri contributes to both student achievement and school culture. I strongly rep recommend Miss Perado for tenure. [Applause] At this time, I would like to invite Mrs. Midas and Miss Boyd from Stewart Mana. It is a pleasure to recognize Miss Taylor Brooker as she earns her tenure. This is a welldeserved milestone for a very dedicated teacher. Since joining our staff, Miss Brooker has consistently shown creativity, collaboration, and a strong commitment to student success. As a first grade teacher, she creates a warm and engaging classroom where young learners thrive. But her impact goes far beyond. She's a member of the

072building advisory committee and has also helped plan events such as our title one parent literacy night. In her role as a Steuart Manor PTA teacher liaison, she has served as a link between staff and families. And through her work on the technology committee, she has supported efforts to enhance digital learning tools in the classroom. Miss Brooker's commitment extends beyond the school day. She has provided both Saturday academy and summer enrichment instruction. Miss Burker has led a variety of a after-school clubs including a steam club, a poetry club, a book club, and an arts and crafts club. She has also played a key role in organizing schoolwide events like our annual show Steuart Manners Got Talent. One of her most impactful contributions has been her leadership in small group math instruction. She not only delivers highly

073differentiated lessons for her students, but has also welcomed colleagues into her classroom for teacher intervisitations. By modeling best practices and sharing her planning process, she has fostered a culture of collaboration and continuous growth across our school building. In every role she takes on, Miss Brooker brings thoughtfulness, passion, and a quiet leadership that lifts everyone around her. It is my honor to congratulate Miss Taylor Brooker on earning her tenure. [Applause] It is my pleasure to recognize a dedicated and passionate educator, Miss Miss Ashley Kate Tissce. Miss Tissi has been an active part of our school community, leading a variety of after-school clubs from musical theater to arts and crafts to karaoke. She encourages students to explore their creativity and express themselves. She has also served as a Steuart Manor PTA teacher liaison, building connections between school

074and home. Beyond the school day, Miss Tissi has worked with students across the district through the Saturday Enrichment Academy, NISET Academy, and the summer academic enrichment program. She is also a member of several committees, the building advisory committee, the technology team, and the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee where she collaborates with colleagues to in enhance instruction and build a more inclusive school culture. Whether volunteering at Steam night, the fall festival, or the sweetheart dance, Miss TC brings energy and warmth to every event. Perhaps what speaks most to Miss Tissy's impact is a story she recently shared. During year-end assessments, she celebrated one of her first grade students reading growth from a level A to a level D. A child who had struggled with letter sounds at the start of the year was now eagerly asking,

075"Miss Tissy, can I book shop? I need some harder books to read. His joy and pride underscore the lasting difference Miss Tissi makes in her students lives. Miss Tissi is a kind teacher who finds true joy in her students progress. And it is clear that her commitment, talent, and heart have made a powerful impact. For all of these reasons, it is an honor to recognize the tenure appointment of Miss Ashley Kate TC. Congratulations. welld deserved. Lastly, but definitely not least, uh she's an outstanding teacher. It is my privilege to speak on behalf of Miss Jennifer Puripado. [Applause] Over the past several years, Miss Pipado has distinguished herself as an exceptional educator. Her professionalism in um initiative and commitment are evident in every role she takes on. While Miss Piripado serves as an academic intervention service

076provider, her contributions extend far beyond that title. As one of our New York State testing coordinators, she plays a role in ensuring smooth and efficient uh state testing. As a title one liaison, Miss Puripado has worked to strengthen the connection between school and home. She participates in annual title one meetings, helps plan family engagement events, and has led parent workshops. During the summer, Miss Puripado teaches in Elmont's summer academy and enrichment program. She is also a member of our building advisory committee, contribute contributing to the shared decision m decision making process. Miss Puripado has demonstrated leadership and professional development as well. Most recently, she facilitated a district-wide session for AIS staff on the science of reading. She is also involved in extracurricular activities. She runs a graphic novel club and has facilitated hands-on science activities

077at Steam Knight. Perhaps one of her most impactful impactful contributions has been as the adviser of our science research club. With her guidance, students not only prepare for the New York State Science and Engineering Fair, but also prevent their present their research at the annual science symposium. This experience helps build confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning in her students. In every aspect of her work, Miss Puripado exemplifies the qualities of dedication, leadership, and collaboration. Congratulations to Miss Jennifer Puripado on earning her tenure. Thank you, Mrs. Stites. And so, uh, the board has to take official action on our recommendation and then it will become official. Madame President, I seek a motion to approve the tenure recommendation for professional items item A. I recommend the teachers who have just been introduced for tenure. May I

078have a May I have a motion to approve uh professional professional personnel item 5.1 item A tenure appointments? Thank you Mr. Hime. Second. Thank you Mr. Palmer. All in favor discussion. Yes. Mr. Ramos discussion. This is a longer list than expected in its own right. a well-deserved list resulting from the consistent efforts by our teachers and our administrators. Director of curriculum and instruction and assistant superintendent of human resources and administration, Dr. uh Joanne Lagande uh Dr. Lagande hit the ground running when establishing her roots in the district. Planted firm and rightfully acknowledged additional well-deserving tenurees, if that's a word. We welcome with their families, friends, and faculty our newly tenured teachers. Thank you. So I have the motion was moved by Mr. Haime, second by Mr. Palmer. All in favor? I I motion carries. Thank

079you. Congratulations to our wonderful teachers. Okay. All right. Want to continue with the meeting? B through. Okay. Um I think um they wanted to take a group picture. Okay. You want to do it now? for our recipients of tenure. We'd like to gather you out um outside Dr. Leand in the hallway to take a picture, a group picture. Thank you. All right. I seek a motion to approve item 5.1, professional Oh, professional personnel item B through F. May I have a motion to approve personnel professional personnel items B through F? Thank you, Miss Battle. Second. Second. Thank you, Mr. Ramos. All in favor? I. Motion carries. One abstension. Sorry. So, we have five in favor and one abstension. Dr. Battle Porquette is abstaining. Thank you. I seek a motion to approve item 5.2, civil service

080personnel items A through C. May I have a motion to approve item 5.2, civil service personnel items A through C. Thank you, Mr. Heime. Second. Second. Thank you, Mr. Ramos. All in favor? I Okay, five in favor and Dr. Battle Perquette abstains. Thank you. Motion carries. I seek a motion to approve item 6.1, extended school year program, item A through B. May I have a motion to approve item 6.1 extended school year items A through B. Move. Thank you, Miss Battle. Second. Second. Thank you, Mr. Ramos. All in favor? I. Motion carries. Yes. Civil service. A one moment. What page is that on, please? Seven. Page seven. Oh, okay. So, we just need to go back and and note for the record item. Okay. Item 5.2 p personnel items for board action civil service staff.

081Item A number 810 Eric Burquette reads the third. It should read the second. Okay, district clerk, please note that for the record. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Briquette. So, we're up to 6.2. I seek a motion to approve item 6.2, food services personnel. May I have a motion to approve item 6.2, food service personnel? Thank you, Mr. Haime. Second. Thank you, Dr. Battle Berquette. All in favor? Motion carries. I seek a motion. One moment. I didn't remember 5.3 and 6.1. 52. No, we did not. Three and 6.1. We need to go back. It's It's um We need a motion for 5.3. Let me borrow your paper or what page. Page eight. Please go to eight. The script needs. No, we roll that over. It we didn't do We did 52. We didn't do a 53.

082Yeah. Five. See, we went from 52 to 6. And we did I moved the vacation to we I moved it to um because I wanted it to the the the um let me show you where it is. Okay. Can we if you if you're sure, we'll keep going. We got Okay. Okay. We keep going. I trust you. Okay. We moved it. You guys have an old one? That's fine. I think we're 6.1. We did 6.1. Okay. Extended school year. Yep. We're up to six. 7.1. I seek a motion to receive agenda item 7.1. The committee on special education, the committee on preschool special education, and the section 504 committee recommendations. May I have a motion to approve item 7.1, committee on special education, committee on preschool special education, and section 504, committee recommendations. May I

083have a motion? Move. Thank you, Mr. Ramos. A second. Second. Thank you, Miss Battle. All in favor? I. Motion carries. I seek a motion to approve agenda item 7.2, two, the CSE and the CPSC chairpersons recommendation A through B. May I have a motion to approve item 7.2 CSE CPS chairpersons items A through B. May I have a motion? Move. Thank you, Miss Battle. Second. Second. Thank you, Dr. Battle Bquette. All in favor? I. Motion carries. I seek a motion to approve agenda item 7.3 awards of contracts uh A through C. I have a motion to approve item 7.3 award of contracts items A through C. Thank you, Mr. Palmer. Second. I heard Miss Battle. All in favor? I. Motion carries. Thank you. I seek a motion to approve business items 8.1, schedules of dispersements

084and warrants. May I have a motion to approve business items 8.1, schedule of dispersements and warrants? Move. Thank you, Mr. Ramos. May I have a second? Thank you, Mr. Palmer. All in favor? I. Motion carries. I seek a motion to receive business item 8.2, the treasur's report. May I have a motion to receive item 8.2, treasurer's report? Move. Thank you, Miss Battle. May I have a second? Thank you, Mr. Ramos. All in favor? I. Motion carries. I seek a motion to approve business item 8.3, budget transfers over $5,000. May I have a motion to approve item 8.3, budget transfers over $5,000? Move. Thank you, Miss Battle. Second. Second. Thank you, Mr. Ramos. All in favor? I. Motion carries. I seek a motion to approve business items 8.4. Other approvals and authorization. Is that where the

085time is? Is that where the vacation time is? No, it is wasn't the petition items. Okay. Okay. Uh, may I have a motion to approve item 8 8.4 other approvals and authorizations? Thank you, Mr. Palmer. May I have a sec? Thank you, Miss Battle. All in favor? I. Motion carries. Five and seven. I'm sorry. No. For item five and seven. Okay, we Okay. So, you are abstaining. Okay. To Dr. Battle Perquette is one through four. And then on six, you are in favor of. And then items five and seven, you are a no vote. Yes. Got it. Thank you. Motion carries. Items uh 8.5 A a through P are noted for uh the board minutes. Items 8.5 A through P. So noted for the minutes. Do we have any committee reports orformational items? No. Okay.

086Do we have any old business? May I have a motion? Put under new business. May I have a motion to nominate Shmese P. Dier as the New York State School Board Association Area 11 director. Thank you, Dr. Battle Bquette. Second. Thank you, Miss Battle. All in favor? I. Motion carries. Um, is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak? We ask that you please limit your comments to three to three minutes. And remember that we should not be using any employees name whether it be for praise or problem. Your first resource should always be to contact the building principal and then our superintendent. Hi Mrs. Smith. Hi John Smith for the How are you today? I just want to say thank you and Mr. Haimey for your service to the Elmont community to

087the children and your dedication and I wish you luck in the future. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Smith. Hi, Miss Crick. Hi. Good evening. Um, I just have two, I guess, comments slashquests. My first is to ask if there's been any, I guess, discussion about the reading program issue. No. Okay. So what is the I guess plan like there is no plans at this time. Is there a plan to discuss it to to have a reading program for our students? We have not had those discussions yet. No, no. I said is there a plan to discuss it at a certain point? Yes, it will be discussed at a certain point. Yes. Okay. All right. And the other thing that I wanted to mention um is testing. So this time of the year, there was an

088an unexpected amount of testing, standardized testing in a small time and some of the um how can I say communication to the parents was last minute about standardized testing. So, I just wanted to bring that to the table because one of those tests just to give context, the students had New York State math test. They had New York State ELA tests. They had NWA math tests. They had NWA um ELA tests. They also had New York State field testing. All of this in a short amount of time. So my concern or I guess request is that this stuff be done in a more organized way because like I said some of these tests 48 hours notice. Um I don't believe it's from the teacher level. I believe that it's from administration level and so I

089want to know can this be done in a way where we know at the beginning of the year like everything else when a standardized test is going to come. Okay. Uh, thank you, Mrs. Crick. What we will do as we're developing the testing calendar for the school year, which we do in September, we'll make a conscious effort to spread the testing out. Uh, I think this year presented a challenge because this year we part of the testing on the computer, we experienced some difficulties in the beginning when the testing started. So, we had to readjust and and started a little bit later. Whereas if we had started um when we in the beginning of the testing calendar when it started uh we would have had more space for the local testing but because of the

090fact that uh the online platform for the state assessments uh there were some malfunctions at the beginning of the year we had to adjust the calendar but I hear your point. We will look at the testing calendar as a whole and we'll make sure that we make enough space in between between local testing and the state assessments. I think also part of what we did this year, we allotted more time for the state assessments, right? Instead of testing uh um groups together, we gave more space in between different groups. And so what we can do is tighten that next year to make sure that we have um we will have more space between local assessments and the state assessments. Okay. So we'll get more notice and more space. The buildings will advise the our parents

091and the communities of when testing is happening. Um typical typically we give a week or two notice notice for these assessments. I know that I sent out a letter to the community in the beginning when testing was going to start to say our students are going to be beginning the testing um period. So I sent one out and I know the buildings also sent one out. So I we believe that and it was also on the district website. So it was sent out um from the central office. It was sent out from the buildings and it was on the district website. Okay. So, but we do know that yes, practically people are not checking the district website every day and most of our communication is directly from the teachers and I hear your feedback. So,

092we we will endeavor to do better. Can it be more than a week? Because basically what I'm asking is why can't this be laid out at the beginning of the school year like everything else that is and we will work around those things. We will do so. Okay. And then the other thing I want to ask is for the district to consider um whether field testing is necessary. We don't select to do field testing. The state randomly choose right which districts will administer what grades it will be administered and we comply with the state requirements. Right. But field testing is not required by law. Yes. The state requires us to do so and we we we do so. Can I ask you to look into that because um from my understanding it's optional. It does

093not benefit the students. Okay. It does not guide teachers. It is for the benefit of the companies that are paid to administer these tests and I do understand that. But it does benefit our children. State testing is required that I know it benefits our children in the sense that field testing field testing it gives the state and the company that develops this test data. So when our children participate, they're using the data from those field testing to help to develop the assessments. So we don't volunteer to do field testing. We get a letter or I get a letter that our buildings have been selected and the state tells us which grades have been selected and we will comply with the state requirements. I understand. But like I said, if you can please at least agree

094to look into it because it is not required by law. It is something that people typically Here's what I will say to you because we're getting late. Here's what I'm gonna say to you. Yeah. We will not opt out of testing and you have a choice if you so choose to do with your child. What I'm saying to you what I'm saying to you is when we receive the notification from the state, we will comply with those notifications. Okay? But what I'm saying to you is that No, I'm just And listen, I'm speaking to the board also though because this is part of the issue. I think we need to understand that the role of the board is to look out for the better good of the community. I think there's a misunderstanding that the

095board is supposed to support everything that the superintendent wants. And this is why it is awesome that we're getting educators to come into the board so that we can have a more balanced conversation about education topics. All I've asked is for you to look into and I'm asking the board members to educate themselves about field testing, what it is and its requirements. I mean whether or not it's required. It has been done. It is not required the same way New York state testing is required. So I'm talking to the board members if you would like to inform yourselves of what I'm saying to just look into field testing and whether it's required and just consider whether or not it's something that needs to be imposed on our children especially because it is done typically last

096minute and it benefits the company. Okay. The school, the district, the students, no one gets that feedback. And I understand what you're saying, but again, it benefits the company, which is already making money off of administering the test. Thank you, Miss Craig. And we will look into it. Thank you for agreeing to look into it. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. Well, our next regular meeting and it also happens to be our Rio meeting will be Tuesday, July 1st at 8:00 PM at Elmont Road. Motion to to adjurnn. Thank you, Mr. Palmer. Second. Thank you, Mr. Ramos. All in favor? Okay. Motion carries. Thank you. All right. This was a long one. What time is it? 10:30. 10:09. 10:09. 10:30. What happened with the roll?