Clear blue skies and brilliant warm sunshine set a perfect stage for the seamless start of the 2007-2008 school year. Tentative smiles accompanied backpacks, lunches, shopping bags overflowing with supplies, and yes, even a few tears on the opening day of schools in Jericho. School bells rang and buses began rolling for Jericho kids on Wednesday, September 5, 2007.

Jericho Superintendent of Schools Hank Grishman visited classrooms throughout the district with Board President Barbara Krieger and trustee Shawn Gladstone. "Our first day of classes went exceptionally well, thanks to the enormous efforts of our staff," said Mr. Grishman. "Our entire organization worked tirelessly over the summer to prepare for the return of students. As always, the results of their hard work were clearly apparent on opening day."

The district is eager to proceed with two significant building projects over the next year. The Board of Education approved roof and tennis court reconstruction at the middle/high school complex during their March meeting. The application for the project, along with final plans, was submitted in the spring to the State Education Department for approval. The timing of these projects will be based on state approval, school calendar and weather conditions.

This year, Jericho welcomes Benny D'Aquila as the principal of the Jackson Elementary School. D'Aquila, a familiar face in Jericho, came to the district 10 years ago as the K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Associate. He then served as the Middle School Assistant Principal. The broad range of his experiences, both as a teacher and a supervisor, enables D'Aquila to see the connections between the different levels that comprise the academic spectrum. He understands the need to create a rich elementary curriculum that will serve as a solid academic foundation for students as they advance.

D'Aquila has an undergraduate degree from Queens College in Mathematics and Education, a graduate degree from the Columbia University School of Engineering and a degree in School Administration. He worked as an assistant principal at Queens Vocational/Technical High School and Bayside High School prior to coming to Jericho.

Adam Winnick is excited to return to Robert Seaman Elementary School as principal. For the past year, Winnick served as principal of Locust Primary School in the Garden City School District. Prior to that experience, he taught fourth grade for seven years in the Jericho School District and third grade in the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District. His teaching at the intermediate elementary level, coupled with his administrative role at the primary level, allows him to have a solid grasp on the entire elementary experience.

Winnick has a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration and an MS in Elementary Education, both from Hofstra University. In addition, he holds a BA in Communications from the State University of New York College at Geneseo.

Joseph Wiener is excited to continue his service to the Jericho community as the Middle School assistant principal. Wiener has been a science teacher for 10 years, seven of which have been at Jericho High School.

Wiener graduated from Tufts University with majors in biology and English. He earned a Masters degree in Literacy from Long Island University and a Masters degree in School Administration and Supervision from Touro College. In his spare time, Mr. Wiener enjoys cooking, eating, gardening and fishing. He especially enjoys spending time with his wife and one year old son Maxwell.

Michael Cotsonas joins the Jericho School District team as the new Supervisor of Transportation. Cotsonas, who has 19 years of experience in the field, most recently served as the supervisor of transportation in the Syosset School District for six years. Prior to that time he worked as a bus dispatcher in the Westbury, North Shore and Levtttown Schools, as well as the Dell Transportation Corporation.

Cotsonas is a member of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation and the director of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation- Nassau County Chapter.

The district continues its successful use of "paperless" communication. Parents are reminded to register their email addresses with their child's school. Those without regular access to a computer are asked to contact their child's school and alternate arrangements will be made.

Jericho High School is offering two new classes, Senior Experience and Chinese Language and Culture, for the 2007-2008 school year. Classes are added to the academic program based on student interest and sufficient course enrollment.

The Senior Experience is an interdisciplinary program for 12th graders, combining English, Participation in Government, and Economics, with outside internships. Its goal is to probe the relationship between an individual and the society in which he lives. The students are researching and actively participating in diverse fields of study based on their unique interests. Internships are being sought in the following fields: photography, sports, sports medicine, business, advertising, journalism, broadcasting, health care, aviation, and magazine publications. If you are interested in assisting students with an internship in one of these areas, please contact James Shotter at jshotter@jerichoschools.org.

In Chinese Language and Culture, students will begin to develop proficiency in listening to and speaking the Chinese language. They will learn proper pronunciation and engage in simple conversations. Themes will include topics from the New York State Syllabus, such as personal identification, education, travel, health and welfare, etc. There is extensive emphasis on vocabulary acquisition. Chinese culture will be explored through readings, projects, and interactive activities. Chinese characters will be introduced to allow for visual/written expression.

Under the guidance of Columbia University professionals, the district invited parents, students and staff members to complete a school climate survey this past spring. Committees are being formed to review the data this fall and make recommendations for school-wide improvements. "Our goal is to evaluate the input from all constituencies," explains Jericho Superintendent of Schools Hank Grishman. "We continually look for feedback to improve both the academic and social emotional climate in our buildings. We hope to establish a revised set of formal goals for the district this year."