New York State Public High School Athletic Association recogizes 72 LI schools for scholar-athlete achievements

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has named 72 Long Island high schools 2023-24 Schools of Distinction or Schools of Excellence.

The School of Distinction status requires that 100% of a school’s varsity teams receive the association’s Scholar-Athlete team award, while School of Excellence status requires that 75% of varsity teams receive the award, the association said. To qualify for the Scholar-Athlete award, 75% of a team’s players must have a grade-point average for the season equal to or greater than 90%.

This year, 114 schools statewide were awarded the Schools of Distinction designation, and 226 were given the Schools of Excellence designation.

“The efforts made by student-athletes in the classroom are paramount to their success in the athletic arena, and beyond their high school days,” said the association’s executive director, Robert Zayas.

The Long Island high schools named Schools of Distinction are Bethpage; Center Moriches; Cold Spring Harbor; East Hampton; Elwood; Farmingdale; Garden City; Great Neck South; Greenport; H. Frank Carey in Franklin Square; Harborfields in Greenlawn; Herricks in New Hyde Park; Island Trees in Levittown; Jericho; John F. Kennedy in Bellmore; Manhasset; Miller Place; New Hyde Park; Northport; Plainedge in Massapequa; Patchogue-Medford; Pierson in Sag Harbor; Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK; Riverhead Charter School; Roslyn; Sachem East in Farmingville; Sachem North in Lake Ronkonkoma; Sayville; Shelter Island; Shoreham-Wading River; South Side in Rockville Centre; Syosset; Walt Whitman in Huntington Station; Wantagh; Ward Melville in East Setauket; Wellington C. Mepham in Bellmore; West Islip; Westhampton Beach and Wheatley School in Old Westbury.

Long Island’s high schools named Schools of Excellence are Bay Shore; Bayport-Blue Point; Carle Place; Centereach; Commack; Comsewogue in Port Jefferson Station; Earl L. Vandermeulen in Port Jefferson; Floral Park; Half Hollow Hills East in Dix Hills; Half Hollow Hills West in Dix Hills; Hampton Bays; Hauppauge; Hicksville; Huntington; Islip; Kings Park; Long Beach; Lynbrook; Massapequa; Mattituck; Mineola; Mount Sinai; Newfield in Selden; North Babylon; Oyster Bay; Paul D. Schreiber in Port Washington; Riverhead; Rocky Point; Smithtown East; Smithtown West; Southampton; Southold; W. Tresper Clarke in Westbury and West Babylon.

EAST ISLIP

New principal

Anthony Montemarano has been appointed principal of East Islip Middle School. He replaced John Dolan, who held the position on an interim basis.

Montemarano had been assistant principal of West Babylon Junior High School. Before that, he was a dean, English teacher, wrestling coach and theater director at Valley Stream North High School.

“I look forward to collaborating with teachers and staff to help everyone in the school reach their maximum potential and to create an experience where students can be proud of where they are from,” Montemarano said.

EAST NORWICH

New principal

Anastasia Smith is the new principal of James H. Vernon Middle School. She replaced Martin Nelson, who held the position on an interim basis.

Smith had been the school’s assistant principal since last fall. Before that, she was a dual language and English as a new language teacher at PS 166Q The Henry Gradstein School in Long Island City, Queens

“Education is not merely about learning your ABCs and 123s,” Smith said. “It’s about nurturing growth, fostering critical thinking and instilling values that will guide our students throughout their lives.”

LAKE RONKONKOMA

New superintendent

Patricia Trombetta has been named superintendent of the Sachem Central School
District. She replaced Christopher Pellettieri, who has retired.

Trombetta had been the district’s deputy superintendent, and before that was assistant superintendent for student support and administration. She has also been principal of the district’s Sachem High School North, Sagamore Middle School and Grundy Avenue Elementary School.

“Sachem is a very special place to me,” Trombetta said. “I am deeply rooted in continuing the culture, pride and strong sense of community that exists.”

MATTITUCK

New principal

Patrick K. Burke is the new principal of Mattituck Jr./Sr. High School. He replaced David Smith, who has retired.

Burke had been principal since 2019 of Pulaski Street Intermediate School in Riverhead. Before that, he had been the assistant principal of Riverhead High School.

“I’m excited about the possibilities ahead and grateful for the opportunity,” Burke said. “Together, we will continue to uphold the values and traditions that make Mattituck Jr./Sr. High School such a special place.”

NEW HYDE PARK

New principal

Rosemary DeGennaro has taken over as principal of New Hyde Park Memorial High School in the Sewanhaka Central High School District. She replaced Richard Faccio, who is now the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

DeGennaro had been the school’s assistant principal for 16 years.

“I look forward to working with the entire New Hyde Park community to ensure that the students of Memorial receive a rewarding and well-rounded educational experience,” DeGennaro said.

WEST HEMPSTEAD

New principal

Robyn Milliner-Johnson has been named principal of George Washington Intermediate School. She replaced Michelle Notti, who retired.

Milliner-Johnson previously worked for two years as principal of Girls Prep Bronx Elementary School. Before that, she was an academic director and assistant principal at LaCima Elementary Charter School in Brooklyn.

“The opportunity to lead and inspire the wonderful students, dedicated staff and supportive community fills me with immense excitement,” Milliner-Johnson said. “I look forward to cultivating a culture of academic excellence, creativity and strong character.”

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.