Schools: Changes in Harborfields; School Meal Plans at HHH

The Harborfields school district has made several changes in its administrative leadership, approved at a special Board of Education meeting earlier this week.

It accepted the resignations of Dr. Marie Netto, who was appointed two years ago. She has been succeeded on an interim basis by Neil Lederer, who previously served as principal at Oldfield Middle School for six years and principal at Harborfields Senior High School for two years. He also has filled in in a variety of roles in districts around Long Island, including as superintendent in the Lindenhurst district. In 2009, he was recognized by the State Senate for his long career and achievements in education.

Netto previously served as an assistant principal at John F. Kennedy High School in the Bellmore-Merrick district.

The resignations of Bethany Pokorny, assistant director for personnel services, and Greg Wasserman, director of school counseling, were also accepted. Both are effective in August.

It also named Melissa Basel as elementary assistant director for pupil personnel services, and Daniel Como as secondary assistant director for pupil personnel services.

The board had previously abolished the position of special education chairperson.

Meal Plan Changes

The Half Hollow Hills Central School District has announced an amendment to its policy for serving meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2024-25 school year, which would allow for all children (K-12) enrolled at the schools listed below to be served meals at no charge.

Otsego Elementary School
Paumanok Elementary School
Candlewood Middle School
West Hollow Middle School
Half Hollow Hills High School East
Half Hollow Hills High School West

For additional information visit www.hhh.k12.ny.us/food or contact the Food Services Office at
631-592-3023 or email: FoodServices@hhh.k12.ny.us.

Setting Sea Turtles Free

Representatives of Canon USA Inc., scientists from the New York Marine Rescue Center, community volunteers, and students from the Half Hollow Hills School District came together as rehabilitated sea turtles were set free earlier this week.

The annual initiative by the New York Marine Rescue Center (NYMRC) releases rehabilitated sea turtles back into the ocean to be tracked and reintroduced to their natural habitat.The release happened Tuesday at Robert Moses Park.

“Supporting the New York Marine Rescue Center is a large part of Canon U.S.A.’s ongoing social responsibility initiative focused on environmental protection and conservation,” said Shinya Fukuda, vice president and general manager, Corporate Planning & Communications Division at Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Our support is a testament to Canon’s belief in leveraging technology and resources to make a positive impact on the environment. This initiative truly showcased the power of our collective efforts in making a tangible difference in environmental conservation.”

The NYMRC is a rescue and rehabilitation organization that promotes marine conservation.  Its mission is to preserve and protect the marine environment through conservation efforts including rescue, rehabilitation, education, and research. They are the primary responders for sick or injured seals, sea turtles, dolphins, porpoises, and small toothed whales, and maintain the only marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation center in New York State.

“We are beyond thrilled to be part of this amazing project with Candlewood Middle School and Canon. This is our third year hosting this program and every year it gets better,” said Maxine Montello, the executive director of the NYMRC Rescue Program. “It’s a true pleasure sharing the students’ excitement during the release of their adopted animal. In addition, the amount of hard work and creativity that goes into these books is tremendous. I’m excited to continue to see this program grow.”

During the 2024-2025 school year, the Candlewood students will write and illustrate a book about their rescued turtle, Mydas, for which Canon will support the project by binding and printing the books. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to NYMRC.

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