North Fork Schools Staff Members Ready for Big First Day

With 2012-13 budgets passed and a new, North Fork School Districts will open their doors on Wednesday morning for hundreds of students. Here are a few highlights from each district.

The biggest school news of the year happened at this tiny district, with athen l and a new superintendent, , taking over. Malone told Patch that he started the year with a yoga session for the teachers on Tuesday before the 72 kids, K –6, arrive on Wednesday.

“We thought it would be fun to just relax, breathe and enjoy the day,” he said.

New this year at Oysterponds is a library program that has been redesigned into a comprehensive literacy center, where reading, speech and language skills will be combines to give classroom teachers a different learning experience with the kids, Malone said. Science and math programs have also been refocused, and Oysterponds now offers a pre-K program starting Sept. 10.

Click here or call 631-323-2410 for more information.

The small K-12 school on the island between the Twin Forks has a brand new district website.

“Streamlining and improving communication with our school community was at the top of our list,” said “Overall we are seeking to move in an upward fashion each year so we can continuously improve our efforts and outcomes.”

The website lists the following as improvements to the school for the 2012-13 school year:

1. Piloted IPad's in our 3rd grade class with a vision to expand this technology throughout our school.
2. Introduced K/1 classroom and third and fourth grade team teaching
3. Restored our librarian to full-time
4. Created a fiscally prudent budget that remained within the tax cap and was passed by the community
5. Redesigned the lobby to beautify and celebrate the history of our school
6. Oversaw the retirement and the appointment of K-12 teachers and other staff
7. Capital construction in full swing creating a sense of a new beginning and school pride
8. Facilitated the creation of a walking track for students and community members

Click here for more information or call 631-749-0302.

Over the summer, select teachers participated in professional development sessions to re-develop meaningful and relevant activities to use during the school year as part of a Common Core Learning Standard, according to a note from Principal William Galati on the school’s website.

“We have a gifted staff that is student-centered and that places the best interest of learning for all students as a pivotal focus of their work,” he said.

There have been a number of classrooms, offices, halls painted this summer, and upgrades and renovations will continue during the year. As a result of retirements and shifts in instructional personnel, plans are underway in securing and welcoming new instructional stakeholders in special education, reading and a part-time technology. Rosie Bunton will start the year as the new main office secretary and Mary Claudio will serve as the new district student attendance clerk.

Click here for more information or call 631-765-5400.

The Mattituck-Cutchogue School District is also focused on the Common Core Learning Standard, which was studied over the summer by staff members, according to a back-to-school letter from Principal Shawn Petretti. A meeting open to parents on the Common Core program takes place Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. in the high school library. The principal also encouraged students to strive for a service earning enhancement, a program available for diplomas this year.

Click here for more information or call 631-298-8460.

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Greenport Superintendent Michael Comanda was not immediately available for comment, but the big news this year is that he’s also the new superintendent of New Suffolk Elementary School, taking the reins from longtime Superintendent Bob Feger, who retired last year. Teachers Holly Plymale, Sara Campbell, Nicole Polina, Margaret Straub, and Matthew Gardiner; administrative assistant Maria Gizzo; and teacher’s assistant Muffie Baker round out the staff at New Suffolk Elementary.

Click here for Greenport School’s website.

Click here for New Suffolk School’s website.

The North Fork’s only private Catholic school opened for business on Tuesday for a short introductory day for the elementary school students, who were dismissed at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday is band day, Thursday is gym day, and art and Spanish classes start on Friday.

The school’s new computer lab is set up and ready to go, and a new awning has replaced the old. According to the school’s website, the school will have a science lab and is looking for help to update the playground.

Click here for Our Lady of Mercy’s website.

How do you feel about the state of North Fork Schools moving in to the 2012-13 school year? Let us know in the comments below.