The Shoreham-Wading River Central School District has named Mr. Jonathan Lilla assistant principal of Shoreham-Wading River High School. He began his role on July 1.

Mr. Lilla holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a political science minor from Millersville University, a Master of Science degree in social studies education from Hofstra University and a Master of Science degree in Progressive Leadership/LEAP graduate from the Bank Street College of Education. Additionally, he is certified as a New York State school building leader and a New York State school district leader and holds New York State professional certification in social studies education (7-12).

His most recent role was at Manhattan’s Gramercy Arts High School, where he served as a climate and culture liaison and principal intern. Mr. Lilla was instrumental in serving on the Instructional Leadership Team and collaborating with the other department leads to design the school year’s professional development cycles. In this role, Mr. Lilla developed and facilitated Gramercy Arts’ Professional Learning Cycles that focused on student engagement and literacy, mentored new social studies teachers, coached both new and veteran teachers in classroom instruction and conducted classroom visits and feedback sessions, and assisted teachers in creating department unit plans and course sequences as well as formative and summative assessments. He also operated as the school dean, conducting restorative circles, mediations, parent meetings and calls. He developed a system for behavior management and collaborated with teachers to organize and schedule more after-school clubs, activities and events as the coordinator of student activities. His teaching career began as a social studies teacher at Gramercy Arts High School.

Mr. Lilla’s extracurricular activities are varied, from serving as both faculty council and chapter adviser for the National Honor Society, and as adviser for Student Government, the Anime Club and the Weightlifting Club. He also taught a credit recovery night class for off-track seniors and was the coach for the Washington Irving varsity baseball team.

Date Added: 7/12/2024

Science in Shoreham-Wading River doesn’t take a break for the summer!

The next round of Shoreham-Wading River High School’s SPARK science scholars were hard at work last week at Brookhaven National Laboratory, learning about infrared spectroscopy and developing projects to look for microplastics present in oyster shells, root vegetables and prepackaged seaweed snacks. Lab time on July 5 taught the rising sophomores (from left in photo) – Hayden Shea, Timmie Nigrel, Spencer Lee and Conner McVeigh – the techniques for extracting those microplastics and staining them to make them visible. This week they will take those microplastics to the NSLS-II facility where they will utilize the infrared microscope to identify which types of plastics those particles are made of.

The students are working at the NSLS-II for two weeks in July, introducing them to the SPARK program, spectroscopy and the process of developing a project, from designing a question and procedure, to collecting and analyzing data collected and then communicating it through oral presentation, as well as preparing it for manuscript. They will continue with the SPARK program in their second year of Science Research with teacher Dana Schaefer in the 2024-25 school year.

Date Added: 7/8/2024

Shoreham-Wading River High School’s 48th commencement was an evening of celebrating the past and looking forward to the future. Families and spectators were welcomed by Principal Frank Pugliese, followed by the national anthem performed by Torre Cintorino, Cassandra Keany, Emily Murray and Robert Tacke with ASL interpretation from Abigail DeLumen, Carly Mulroy, Elizabeth Sabino and Emma Turley.

Assistant Principal John Holownia thanked the Blue and Gold award winners who led the procession: Torre Cintorino, Jake Fabian, Christopher Giunta, Elizabeth McErlean, Jiseung
Moon, Lauren Pollak, Elizabeth Sabino, Sayf-Adenne Souihi, Robert Tacke and Noah Wyszomierski. He also thanked administrators and the Board of Education. He was followed by Assistant Principal Dan Ackerman who thanked building leaders and the support of the PTAs, WAC and WHAM.

Salutatorian Lucas Portuese addressed his peers and thanked teachers, family and others in guiding this success. He shared great memories and quoted Eleanore Roosevelt’s famed saying, “Do one thing every day that scares you,” encouraging all to find their potential by living this advice.

Mr. Holownia then applauded members of the Class of 2024 who will protect our nation after graduation: Alexander Castillo (U.S. Air National Guard), Keith Donnellan (U.S. Army), Armani Foglia (U.S. Navy), Jennifer Mensche (U.S. Navy) and Kyle Rose (U.S. Airforce ROTC).

Robert Tacke wowed the crowd with his guitar and vocal of Billy Joe Armstrong’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).”

Valedictorian James Minetti shared his gratitude to his parents and siblings and encouraged his classmates to stick with what they are passionate about, spend time productively, bring something to the table and not to lose sight of what they are looking for.

Superintendent of Schools Gerard Poole requested that the students stand and face their families to thank them for their guidance during their high school careers. Mr. Poole lauded the students for their achievements in academics, arts and athletics.

He shared his hope for the graduates’ future with their aspirations and plans and to embrace their dreams. He also shared the Latin phrase “per aspera ad astra” (through adversity to the stars), noting that when obstacles arise while pursuing goals, summon from within the fortitude, determination and ingenuity to meet those goals.

Mr. Pugliese then called for a moment of silence for members of the Class of 2024 John Kane and Andrew McMorris, who were each honored with a posthumous diploma. Mr. Pugliese named each of the Exceptional Academic Seniors before members of the Class of 2024 were each called to the podium to receive their diploma. He then invited James and Lucas back to the stage for the ceremonial turning of the tassels, resulting in cheers and clapping all around.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 6/24/2024

At the final Shoreham-Wading River School District Board of Education meeting for the school year, 14 employees were honored on their retirement. Building principals Lou Parrinello, Frank Pugliese, Claudia Smith and Kevin Vann spoke highly of the tireless efforts each retiree put into serving the students of SWR schools. Superintendent of Schools Gerard Poole, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Glen Arcuri [http://www.swrschools.org/staff/default.aspx?school=434] and Athletic Director Mark Passamonte – who is also a retiree – also lauded the careers of SWR staff members.

Under the baton of Prodell Middle School music teacher Fred Volz, string students Joseph Calandrillo, Lauren Gallucci, Kai Hidaka, Kevin Loscalzo, Emily Minetti, Clara Pedersen, Valentina Pinos, Izrael Salgado and Aiden Weng performed for the retirees before the Board of Education meeting.

The Shoreham-Wading River school community applauds these retirees for their dedication and years of service and wishes them well in their new endeavors. Congratulations to Mary Ellen Alfano, Eileen Baird, Wayne Beatty, Amanda Browne, Cathy Caracciolo, Deborah D’Elena, Janet Hansen, Ronnie Malave, Linda Mattia, Maria Mistretta, Mark Passamonte, Thomas Redman, Nancy Sperling and Else Vizzo.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 6/24/2024

This year, the Shoreham-Wading River School District participated in the New York State Education Department’s Seal of Civic Readiness Initiative and honored its first cohort of students at the June 11 Board of Education meeting. The Seal of Civic Readiness is a special distinction on a high school transcript and diploma. It recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in civic knowledge, civic mindset, civic skills, and civic experiences.

The goals of the initiative include exemplifying a commitment to participatory government, civic responsibility and civic values as well as demonstrating to universities, colleges and future employers that they have completed an action project in civics or social justice.

To obtain the Seal of Civic Readiness, the students completed all requirements for a New York State local or Regents diploma and earned a total of six points with at least two points in Civic Knowledge and at least two points in Civic Participation. In addition to these initial requirements, students were enrolled in the SWRHS Community Relations elective course taught by social studies teacher Maria Lovasco.

Congratulations to Erin Cahill, Elysa Corso, Reanna Gill, Kaelyn Metz, Riley Metz, Lauren Pollak, Shannon Redlein, Abigail Savona, Emily Schmalzle and Hannah Scotto.

Date Added: 6/17/2024