From the Superintendent’s Seat

A Visit To Washington
by Dr. Carole G. Hankin with Randi T. Sachs

A few years ago, Syosset Schools received a visit by then US Secretary of Education Richard Riley, who wanted to see a successful public school district in action. This June, I had the opportunity to meet with two key players in the US Department of Education in Washington. I came away from the meetings secure in the knowledge that the pursuit of excellence in education for all of our children will continue to be the driving force at the highest levels of administration.

Dr. Susan Sclafani, Counselor to the Secretary, had worked with Secretary Rod Paige in the Houston Public Schools. She was interested to learn how a school district on Long Island has been able to teach children that we are indeed a global society, and I shared with her details about Syosset’s program of world languages. I believe that if we are going to have peace and harmony in the world, we have to learn how to communicate. That starts with language. This September, we will add Mandarin Chinese to our elementary school World Language Program. Starting in kindergarten, all students will now study a year each of Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish and Latin.

I also met with Beth Ann Bryan, Senior Advisor to the Secretary, who was interested in learning about Syosset’s Peer Educators program that is designed to prevent bullying and aggressive behavior by teaching young children the appropriate way to handle conflict. Our high school students, who spend the first half of the school year learning how to present these ideas and values to the youngsters, teach the lessons. The program has been a phenomenal success, and we are hoping to expand it within our district. Both Bryan and Sclafani found that the programs they saw could be implemented in other districts.

I always find visiting the Capitol stimulating and exciting. Meeting with these women was great assurance that smart and innovative individuals are working for our children. #

Dr. Hankin is superintendent of Syosset Central School District. Randi Sachs is Public Information Officer of Syosset Schools.

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