School Notebook: Educators in New Roles

April Poprilo has been appointed as the South Huntington Union Free School District’s new assistant superintendent of student services.   Poprilo served as the supervisor of Curricula Services for five years.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS IN HALF HOLLOW HILLS
Two new assistant principals have been appointed in the Half Hollow Hills Central School District.

Shaun Hantzschel has been appointed at Half Hollow Hills High School East  and Steven Vitolano will take up new duties at Paumanok Elementary School.

Hantzschel spent five years as a special education teacher in the Half Hollow Hills East building. In addition to instructing courses in social studies, English and mathematics, he worked with building and district personnel in formulating systems to improve testing logistics, student management and special education processes. In the spring of 2017, he served as an Interim dean and has coordinated the student discipline program. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Social Sciences from Dowling College, a Master of Science in Educational Technology from Long Island University, and his administrative credentials from the College of Saint Rose. Shaun resides in West Islip.

“I am extremely excited to continue serving at High School East, now in an administrative capacity. I am blessed to work with a supportive and cohesive faculty and staff who value learning and the education of children,” said Hantzschel. “I look forward to September and the school year ahead. Go Thunderbirds!”

Vitolano joins Half Hollow Hills after 12 years of teaching service in Queens within the New York City Department of Education.  He spent three years at P.S. 38 and nine years at P.S. 176 in District 29. During his time at P.S. 176, he completed his school leadership internship and served on the Principal’s Instructional Cabinet. He also helped launch a new specialized math instruction initiative called Algebra for All and oversaw the school’s departmentalized 5^th grade. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Loyola University (Maryland), a Master of Science in Education from Hofstra University, and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University. Steven, his wife, and two sons  reside in Bay Shore.

“I am extremely excited to be joining this outstanding school district and community, with its commitment to learning and academic achievement,” said Vitolano. “I look forward to building new relationships here in Half Hollow Hills and working with the staff and students at Paumanok to make this upcoming school year very successful for all of our students.”

Dr. Alison Bruno was named supervisor of curricula services in the South Huntington district.  Dr. Bruno, who has dedicated more than two decades to the field of public education, assumes the reigns from Ms. April Poprilo who was recently promoted to our Assistant Superintendent for Student Services.

MAPLEWOOD ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Michelle Davis has been appointed assistant principal at Maplewood Intermediate School.   She brings 23 years of teaching and leadership experience to the assistant principal’s role.

 BIRCHWOOD ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Thomas Keogh has been named assistant principal of  Birchwood Intermediate School. Keogh spent the past several decades as a prototype teacher and leader.

NEW JOBS IN HARBORFIELDS
Harborfields Central School District has named the following four to administrative roles:

Allison Joyce of Huntington, assistant principal at Harborfields High School in Greenlawn, was a secondary social studies teacher in the Commack School District.

Maureen Raynor of East Northport, executive director of human resources and instructional services, was assistant principal at Kings Park High School.

Rose Scammell of North Massapequa, special education chairperson, was clinical administrator with Adults & Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities Inc. in Bay Shore.

Robyn Tsiokos of Smithtown, assistant director for pupil personnel services, was special education administrator in the Rocky Point School District.

MOVED ON TO CONNEQUOT
Jonathan Macaluso has moved from the South Huntington school district, where he was chief information officer and K-12 district director of guidance, to director of guidance at the Connetquot Central School District.

OFF TO PORT JEFF
Adam Sherrard, who formerly taught at Jack Abrams STEM magnet school in the Huntington school district, has moved to the Port Jefferson district. He’ll direct  health, physical education and athletics there.