The Board of Education has appointed Shawn Hanley as executive director for human resources, effective Jan. 5. Mr. Hanley replaces Dr. Yiendhy Farrelly in this role, who currently serves as superintendent of schools.

Mr. Hanley has worked in the district since 2000, first as a junior high school science teacher and West Babylon Teachers Association building executive. From 2002-2008, he served as the K-8 coordinator for science, subsequently serving as assistant principal at the high school for the past seven years.

Mr. Hanley received a Bachelor of Science in sociology and science at Stony Brook University. He received a Master of Science in secondary education and a professional diploma in educational administration from Dowling College.

“It is with great enthusiasm that I accept my appointment as executive director for human resources,” he said. “I look forward to working closely with the staff and the community in providing a positive educational experience for the students of West Babylon.”

Mr. Hanley has been married for 14 years and has three children. In addition to his educational experience, he was previously a New York State registered nurse and received his nursing degree from Stony Brook University.

“I’d like to personally welcome Mr. Hanley as the district’s new executive director for human resources,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Yiendhy Farrelly said. “Since 2008, he has been a tremendous asset to the high school and will now play a critical role as the human resources officer for all our schools and departments. I look forward to working side by side with Mr. Hanley.”

The West Babylon Junior High School Art Department is holding its first Student Art Exhibition at the West Babylon Public Library. Through a collaboration with Azurée Agnello, head of the library’s young adult services department, the annual exhibit is part of a vision to promote arts in the community.

This year’s Studio in Art class, under the direction of teacher Jennifer Tomeo, created exotic eye studies, focusing on texture, value and color in chalk pastel. The junior high school’s art department and the library invite family and community members to enjoy the exhibit by the district’s talented student-artists through February.    
   

The district is pleased to announce the selection of 38 student-musicians to the 2015 Suffolk County Music Educators Association All-County music ensembles. Each year, Suffolk County music teachers nominate approximately 5,000 students for inclusion in the music ensembles. Only several hundred students are ultimately selected for each divisional music festival in February and March.

In addition, the district congratulates high school musician John Paul Louis, who was one of only 24 students selected to participate in the SCMEA All-County Vocal Jazz Ensemble.  

Forest Avenue:
Sarah Brenner – Orchestra – Violin – Div. 1 West

John F. Kennedy:
Sofia Aguilar – Orchestra – Viola – Div. 1 West
Kayla Casazza – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1 West
Cara Cirasole – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1 West
Olivia Price – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1 West
Ashley Scarlata – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1 West
Joshua Wildermuth – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1 West

Santapogue:
Michael Capriola – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1 West
Juliann Ciolino – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1 West
Gianna Haines – Orchestra – Violin – Div. 1 West
Maryella Marrero – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1 West
Emily Villarreal – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1 West
Jayden Young – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1  

South Bay:
Emma Blloshmi – Orchestra – Violin – Div. 1 West

West Babylon Junior High School:
Nadja Ashley – Band – Bb Clarinet – Div. II West
Olivia Carucci – Chorus – Soprano – Div. II West
Nelson Castilla III – Chorus – Baritone – Div. II West
Julie Cooke – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. I West
Michael Evangelista – Chorus – Alto – Div. II West
Julian Franco Jr. – Band – Trumpet/Cornet – Div. II West
Ashleigh Golden – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1 West
Jenna Halvorsen – Chorus – Soprano – Div. II West
Sara Kenney – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. I West
Carissa Kuffo – Orchestra – Viola – Div. I West
John Paul Louis – Vocal – Jazz Ensemble – Div. III West
Tyler Lozier – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1
Christopher Pascual – Chorus – Alto – Div. II West
Arianna Rivera – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1 West
Chelsea Shevlin – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. I West
Evelyn Smith – Band – Alto Sax – Div. 1 West
Aniyah Terry – Chorus – Children’s Voice – Div. 1

West Babylon High School:
Trevor Barrett – Band – Trombone – Div. III West
Trent Boock – Chorus – Bass – Div. III West
Matthew Desrosiers – Band – Piccolo – Div. III West
Eric Froehlich – Orchestra – Double Bass – Div. III West
Matthew Lightsey – Chorus – Tenor – Div. III West
Natalie McIntosh – Band – Bb Clarinet – Div. III West
Nicole Rinaudo-Concessi – Chorus – Soprano – Div. III West
    

The West Babylon School District is proud to announce that the media centers at South Bay and Forest Avenue elementary schools were awarded the Advanced Certificate for the NOVEL NY Statewide Internet-Ready Library Framework.
    
The Internet-Ready Framework ensures that libraries provide continual online access to information resources for all New Yorkers. In order to obtain this certificate, wireless access must be available in the library, along with an OPAC catalog, access to databases and the ability to download streaming content. The certificate is only awarded to those libraries where staff training on the use of technology is available, and library staff members are able to provide assistance to users.

The Board of Education has appointed Dr. Yiendhy Farrelly as superintendent of schools, effective Jan. 10, 2015. Dr. Farrelly will replace current Superintendent Anthony Cacciola, who announced his retirement.

“I could not be happier with the Board’s decision to appoint Dr. Farrelly as my successor,” Mr. Cacciola said. “She is a bright, energetic and hardworking individual and the perfect fit for West Babylon. The district is truly fortunate to have Dr. Farrelly as its future leader.”

Dr. Farrelly has served the district since 2006, first as director of student services and, since 2009, as assistant superintendent for human resources. She came to the district from the Valley Stream Central High School District, where she served as a grade 7-12 special education teacher, district CSE chairperson, head of Memorial Junior High School’s special education department and principal of Valley Stream CHSD’s summer program. 

Dr. Farrelly received a Bachelor of Science in elementary and K-12 special education from LIU Post and a Master of Science in teaching English as a second language from Queens College. She is fluent in Spanish. In addition, she received her professional degree in school and district administration from the College of Saint Rose and her doctorate in teaching and learning from Hofstra University.
Dr. Farrelly is married to Rashaan Farrelly and the couple has a 2-year-old daughter.

“We look forward to Dr. Farrelly’s educational innovations, which will bring our students to a competitive level and enable them to develop 21st-century skills,” Board President Lucy Campasano said. “Dr. Farrelly has an innate ability to command respect without demanding it, and the entire Board of Education is excited about working with her in her new capacity as superintendent.”   
 
“West Babylon is my second home, and I am so grateful to be given such an important responsibility,” Dr. Farrelly said. “I truly look forward to continuing to work with the Board of Education, parents, community and staff on our shared goal of supporting and guiding all of our students.”

Santapogue Elementary School students have been celebrating the holidays by collecting mittens, gloves and hats for needy children in the community. The collections were placed on the Mitten Tree located in the school’s lobby. Not only did the students and staff feel pleased for giving to those less fortunate, they were delighted with the overwhelming success of the program.

West Babylon High School Senior Geovanny Amaya has been selected as a national semifinalist in the 2014-2015 Coca-Cola Scholars Program for his leadership, academic achievement and commitment to the community.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is one of the nation’s most recognized corporate scholarship sponsors, with more than 4,250 students benefitting from approximately $38 million in college scholarship awards.

A first-generation American, Geovanny’s parents came from El Salvador. He serves as president of the Class of 2015 and is a member of the Science Olympiad, DECA, Leo, Robotics, International, Scope, Blue and Gold, SEA, SADD, Leaders and Envirothon clubs. Geovanny is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music, Foreign Language and Math and Science honor societies. In addition, he is president of the school’s orchestra. An avid athlete, Geovanny is captain of the wrestling and cross-country teams and is also a member of the lacrosse team.

Off campus, Geovanny participates in a number of community service efforts. He is a volunteer firefighter for the East Farmingdale Fire Department, has taken part in various food drives with the West Babylon Lions Club and participated in a number awareness walks. He is an integral member of the Town of Babylon’s successful youth court program, where he has participated in several court cases. 

Once semifinalist applications are reviewed, 250 regional finalists will be chosen to continue the selection process, and regional finalists will be determined in late January. Finalists will then interview in person or via web conference to become one of 150 Coca-Cola Scholars. Students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will attend Scholars Weekend in Atlanta from April 16-19, 2015 to receive a scholarship totaling $20,000 from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

The West Babylon School District congratulates Geovanny on this academic achievement and wishes him continued success in the program.