Lynbrook Schools Remember Dr. B As New Year Begins

Emotions were mixed in the Lynbrook School District as students headed back to class Tuesday to start a new year without their beloved leader.

The district marked the who died on Aug. 27, by having all its classes observe a moment of silence in his honor on the first day of school for the man they affectionally called “Dr. B.” They remembered Barbarino as a beloved leader and role model who strived each day to ensure the intellectual, social and emotional well-being of every student who passed through Lynbrook Public Schools.

At the same time, Lynbrook's teachers, administrators and support staff welcomed the incoming and returning students with open arms to a world of new learning opportunities.

After more than a year of professional development and curriculum writing, teachers at every grade level are prepared to meet the new Common Core Learning Standards adopted by the NYS Board of Regents, providing new levels of rigor in ELA and mathematics instruction.

Among the technology advances were the establishment of a state-of-the-art Mac lab in the art wing of the high school and new computer labs at South Middle School and Waverly Park School. After introducing an iPad pilot program at the middle schools last year, iPads will be coming in October to the high school, and also to inclusion classes at Marion Street.

Facility improvements include bathroom renovations at the high school, a new ceiling and lighting in the North Middle G.P. room, a renovated science room at South Middle, new gymnasium doors at Marion Street, interior door replacements at Waverly Park, new carpeting in select West End classrooms and replacement of piping insulation at the Kindergarten Center.

At the elementary level, students at Marion Street will be getting to know their new principal, Theresa Macchia. New to North and South middle schools will be the addition of an 83-minute ELA block for sixth-graders, giving teachers more time to focus on the English language in deeper and more meaningful ways. New high school classes include AP Studio in Art, robotics and a revamped course in programming and app design. Among the new faces at the high school is Assistant Principal Matthew Sarosy, formerly the teacher-in-charge at North Middle School.

At the district level, Jonathan Klomp has taken over the role of administrator for student support services and Maxine Bogen joined the Lynbrook staff as the director of special services.

To view more photos from Lynbrook's first day of school and upload your own to our gallery click .