February 1, 2013 Important Note: We are now offering weekly and monthly sponsorship on our District Newsletter.

We ask all residents, parents, and staff to encourage these sponsorships with local and regional businesses. The opportunities are here, and we need your help in encouraging support for our schools. Please contact us if you have information regarding interested sponsors. Food for Thought "Life cannot subsist in society but by reciprocal concessions." An Important Budget Message from Dr. Bennardo Last week Governor Cuomo unveiled a budget proposal that was touted by many as generous towards public education. While that might be true for the districts that received an increase in NYS aid, it is absolutely false for those communities that did not share in the windfall. The budget proposal has South Huntington relatively flat with a $22,863 increase in aid ($79,981 if you include Building Aid). The truth is that last years numbers failed to account for $314,597 in current High Cost Excess Aid (a specific type of special education aid). Once that revenue is factored into the equation, South Huntington actually experiences a cut of over $200,000 in State Aid. Throughout the year we heard from Albany that districts should plan on a 3-4% increase in aid. We were told that this early prediction should help in planning responsible budgets for our schools. We were shocked, therefore, to find that the Governors proposal came nowhere near the promised increase. We were equally surprised to learn that districts with considerably less economic need than South Huntington (based upon free- and reduced-lunch statistics) had received sizable increases. Try as we may, it is difficult to conceive a rationale for this clear disproportionality. It is important to understand that last weeks executive proposal represents a starting point in the budget discussions. With that in mind, we have been in touch with our local Assemblyman and Senators to express concern over the imbalance in aid allocation. It just seems unconscionable that we would receive no additional aid after being told to plan for a 3-4% increase (a minimum of $600,000). Our hopes rest with our local elected officials who have promised to advocate for our community during the upcoming budget negotiations. We can only hope that steps will be taken to mitigate the impact of this State Aid reduction and bring us closer to 3-4% mean, which is being touted in Albany. Superintendents Corner lease join in congratulating Stimson Middle School students, Benjamin Nace and Christina Bogdani, on their success in the National Geographic Spelling Bee competition. Benjamin's first-place performance and Christina's silver-medal finish are fitting tributes to a remarkable pair of students. We are all very proud of our young scholars and congratulate their dedicated parents and teachers on this accomplishment. Special thanks, as well, to Geography Bee advisor Keith Gunsel for his wonderful work.

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e are excited to introduce our Maplewood and Birchwood Intermediate Schools Student Council Government Officers. These dedicated young leaders have been elected by their classmates to provide representation in the school community. We all join in congratulating our student officers, and wish them luck in their important endeavor.

Maplewood Intermediate School: Kimberly Hoppe, President; Caitlin McKenna, Vice President; Cassidy Paige, Treasurer; Danielle Diem, Secretary; and Julianna Villella, Historian.

Sponsorship opportunities are available through the Birchwood Intermediate School: Gregory Borysowski, President; Chloe Murphy, Fourth- Friends of South Huntington Grade Vice President; Charlotte OHara, Third-Grade Vice President; Emily Murphy, Treasurer; For additional Information and Logan Slansky, Secretary. visit us at www.friendsofshufsd.org Continued on Page 2

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t gives us great pleasure to report that James Reilly and Edward Hardwick have earned first place and runner-up respectively in the Stimson Middle School Spelling Bee. These two talented individuals make us proud by dominating the scholarship and illustrating the commitment to excellence that makes Stimson strong. We congratulate both James and Edward for providing us with important reason to cheer. There is no question that great things are ahead for this talented South Huntington duo.

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ast week we brought attention to our Whitman High Students of the Month with a promise of highlighting our showcased athletes in the week to come. It gives us great pleasure, therefore, to congratulate Alexandria Alpy and Zachary Cammer for their recognition as Decembers Athletes of the Month. Alexandria is a dominant fencing player who earned gold in the seasons finale, the Brentwood Fencing Tournament! Zachary, a cross-country and winter/spring track star, has set an all-time Whitman High mile-run record by posting a 4:18 average! It is also important to note that Alexandria and Zachary are serious and dedicated students who maintained impressive academic averages despite a daunting co-curricular schedule. We thank both of these talented young leaders for serving as important role models in our school community. From Dr. Bloom in the Curriculum Office

n Tuesday afternoon the Silas Wood Sixth-Grade Center hosted award-winning ABC news reporter Phil Lipof for an exciting student assembly. Our Silas teachers skillfully prepared their classes for this visit with a "Power of Journalism" lesson that generated interest and built enthusiasm for the presentation. Students came to meet Mr. Lipof armed with press passes and a series of thought-provoking questions about his life and career. The result was a wonderful interaction that showcased the practical application of our curriculum material and connected academic learning to the world of business and careers. Thank you to our Silas band, under the direction of Mr. Stanton, for welcoming Mr. Lipof in grand South Huntington fashion. Thank you, as well, to Mr. Toto, principal, and Dr. Baralis, administrative dean, for creating this very special learning activity. ur Maplewood learning community also enjoyed a dynamic school-to-career experience with the Trial of Goldilocks. This very special program brought local attorneys, Glen Vogel and Suzanne Manaseri, to the school for a multi-week legal proceeding involving the famous fairytale characters. The fortunate fifth-grade students gained hands-on experience by participating in every facet of our nations judicial system. We are very grateful to Mr. Vogel and Ms. Manaseri for volunteering their time and expertise in our schools. Congratulations, as well, to the dedicated Maplewood teachers and Mr. DElia, principal, and Ms. Bruno, assistant principal, for providing such an authentic learning experience for their students. Athletic News from Dr. Wright ongratulations to Whitmans Jackie Crunden on her success in the League II Winter Track Championships. Jackie took the competition by storm, capturing the title and matching a league record in the challenging high-jump event. We are all very excited by Jackies award-winning performance and look forward to following her success. Congratulations, as well, to Meghan Powers who furthered Whitmans dominance in the high jump by garnering a bronze medal in the event.

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lease join us this Saturday as Whitman hosts the League III Championship Wrestling tournament. The action begins at 9:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day. Come on down and watch our wrestlers shine as they take on some of the best competition in the region. lso, please join us at our Girls Basketball gamethe last for our senior playerson Tuesday, February 5 at 6 p.m. and the final contest for our Boys Hoops on Friday, February 8 at 6:15 p.m. Wildcat Booster Club News We are happy to report that yet another year of Harlem Magic Masters vs. Faculty competition was a huge success. We thank our faculty for fighting gallantly and providing a great Sponsorship opportunities show before falling to the slightly superior athletes of the visiting squad. We also thank the are available through the hundreds of students and parents who packed the bleachers to cheer on our South Hunt- Friends of South Huntington ington squad in support of the great cause. Through your generosity the Wildcat Booster For additional Information Club raised thousands of dollars to support athletes and programs within our community. visit us at
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Wildcat Booster Club News Continued: Our eight dynamic district teams consisted ofDr. Bennardo, Dr. Centamore, Dr. Baralis, Ms. Cirillo, Mr. TotoMr. DElia, Ms. Gross, Mr. Fauci, Mr. OConnor, Ms. DEliaMs. Michaelian, Mr. Liegey, Ms. Wilkinson, Mr. Lopez, Ms. GuittardMs. Kerrigan, Ms. Baumbach, Ms. Tafe, Ms. Schledorn, Ms. McGrortyMr. Denson, Ms. Tohill, Ms. Barrett, Ms. Okurowski, Ms. StauderMs. Tlockowski, Mr. Rufrano, Mr. DePaula, Mr. Ciccarelli, Mr. LevyMs. Bonomo, Ms. Kenney, Ms. Njenga, Ms. Davis, Ms. OliveriMs. Workman, Ms. Cochoy, Ms. Milo, Ms. Layer, Mr. Schmidt. Special thanks to our faculty members and administrators who played in the game and supported the cause.

lease be reminded of the popular fence-sign initiative around the high school fields. Prominent sponsors, businesses and universities, such as the ones pictured on page 5, work collaboratively with our Booster Club to have their names and/or logo displayed for all school and community events. The beautifully crafted signs are visible to the tens of thousands of parents, students and teachers that walk the campus, attend activities and ride on the roads by the school. Our sponsors have characterized the exposure as priceless, and students throughout our community have benefited from the generous support. This program has truly been a win-win situation for all involved. We welcome you to contact us if you are interested in learning more about the program. Please feel free to respond by return email or by calling District Public Relations Specialist Steve Bartholomew at 812-3108. Music Booster News The Music and Art Booster Club, which remains committed to supporting the arts, continues to grow and plan for the future. Our fundraising efforts are gaining steam, and we look forward to supporting programs throughout our South Huntington District. Some Thoughts from Deputy Superintendent Jacci Harris in Students Services We are pleased to report on the success of Kirk Martins presentation entitled Celebrate Calm. The special program, co-sponsored by the Maplewood PTA and the Student Services Department, provided attendees with a tool kit of strategies to manage the countless stresses of everyday life. It is always a pleasure to see our community come together for such an important common purpose. We will be holding Kindergarten registration from February 25th through March 1st from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Parents are asked to bring the following documentation to registration: Original birth certificate (no photocopies) in English; complete and updated immunization record signed or stamped by your M.D.; this months mortgage statement, deed, current tax bill or current lease agreement in your name signed by you and your landlord. Lease must be notarized. (Original documents only.) Three (3) of the following is also required: This months telephone bill in your name; this months cable bill in your name; this months bank statement in your name; this months LIPA bill in your name; current photo ID (Drivers License). IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LEASE, and you are renting an apartment, room, private home or living with a relative or friend, you will need the following in addition to the birth certificate and immunization record: a. A notarized affidavit issued by the South Huntington School District and completed by the owner/tenant stating that you live there; b. A notarized affidavit from the parent stating their legal address; c. The owner's current property tax bill with their name on it, or current mortgage statement or a copy of their deed/lease; d. Two current bills for this month in their name; e. Two current forms of correspondence addressed to you (Parent-Guardian) to this address. No personal letters from friends or relatives will be accepted. Please feel free to call the primary centers should you have any questionsCountrywoods phone number is 812-3300 and Oakwoods phone number is 812-3500.
Sponsorship opportunities are available through the Friends of South Huntington Please be reminded that in order to register for Kindergarten in South Huntington you must maintain For additional Information a residence inside the boundaries of the South Huntington School District. visit us at www.friendsofshufsd.org Continued on Page 4

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lease join us at our second annual Bowl-a-Thon on Sunday, February 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 300 Long Island. You can find pre-registration material for this fun-filled afternoon on the Wildcat Booster Club section of the districts website.

Also understand that if any child you register is found not to be a legitimate resident of the South Huntington Union Free School District, you will be legally responsible for and will pay the school districts annual tuition rate of approximately $14,000 per child retroactive to the first day of admission. Please understand that theft of governmental services is a crime punishable under the State Penal Law and that a false statement made in connection with a registration application can make an individual liable to criminal prosecution. SEPTA News On Monday night our SEPTA meeting attendees took part in a very successful roundtable discussion with district teachers, counselors, psychologists and administrators. The discussion, facilitated by Deputy Superintendent Jacci Harris, provided a lively exchange of ideas on important topics related to student scheduling, college preparation, services and accommodations. We are very thankful to our dedicated special education team for spending this quality time with our parents. We welcome all of our district residents to become part of the SEPTA organization and avail themselves of similar useful programs. A schedule of SEPTA meetings is listed on the districts website (Parents ! SEPTA ! Calendar-ata-Glance). Below is information on Health & Wellness from the National PTA. It is a good resource for creating healthier homes. We hope you find it useful! What parents can do to create a healthier home: http://www.pta.org/programs/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3396 http://www.pta.org/programs/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3397 Please also find a link to a Facebook Group for Parents of Children with Special Needs on Long Island. www.facebook.com/groups/longislandspecialeducationparentnetwork Ideas from Friends of South Huntington The Friends of South Huntington continues to work to bring business and corporate sponsorships to the district. While these partnerships take time to develop, they are critical to maintaining programs during challenging financial times. As you can see, our newsletter advertising program is growing, and we continue to meet with local businesses regarding mutually beneficial partnerships. We are, however, in serious need of volunteers to help us expand the mission. We would benefit from anyone with business contacts, socialmedia expertise, marketing experience and simple energy. Interested individuals can contact District Public Relations Specialist Steve Bartholomew at 631-812-3108. Announcements On Friday, February 1, at 6:45 p.m., there will be a concert to benefit our online magazine, Xanadulit.com. This exciting night of entertainment will feature performances by some of Whitmans most talented students. The place to be on the first of February is Whitmans South Cafeteria. Countrywoods PTA Movie Night is scheduled for Friday, February 1, from 6-8 p.m. We welcome everyone to join in the fun of this exciting family event. The Weeks to Come:
February 1: WW Xanadulit.com Concert, 6:45 p.m., South Cafeteria CW PTA Movie Night, 6 p.m. SW and SMS Pride Day February 1 & 2: LISAF Grades 8-12 Rehearsal February 2: League Wrestling Tournament @ WWHS, 9:30 a.m. SCMEA Jazz Festival February 3: LISFA Concert, Grades 8-12 February 4: PTA Council Meeting, 10 a.m./Location change to WWHS PAC WW 2nd Quarter Report Cards Mailed WW College Night, Grade 11, 7:30 p.m. February 5: SW/SMS 2nd Quarter Report Cards Mailed February 5: WW Girls Basketball Game, 6 p.m. WW PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
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Sponsorship opportunities are available through the Friends of South Huntington For additional Information visit us at www.friendsofshufsd.org

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February 6: February 7: February 8:

February 9:

SMS Coffee with the Principal, 10-11 a.m. OW Chat with the Principal, 7 p.m. PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m. OW Bowling, 7 p.m. MW Parents as Reading Partners Family Night, 7:30 p.m. SMS Valentines Dance, 6-8 p.m. WW Boys Basketball, 6:15 p.m. WW Musical Production, 7:30 p.m. CW PTA Valentine Breakfast, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. WW Musical Production, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances SCMEA Day of Percussion, Sayville High School

Sponsorship opportunities are available through the Friends of South Huntington For additional Information visit us at www.friendsofshufsd.org