Dear Resident:
I want to commend our students, staff, parents and dedicated volunteers for all of their efforts during the 2008-09 school year, making our district a great place to learn. In doing so, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank voters for approving the 2009-10 school-year budget. Your support demonstrates your commitment to providing a quality education, full of rewarding opportunities for all Deer Park children.
Second, I’d like to welcome Eva Demyen to her new position as Superintendent of Schools. Eva has been a dedicated member of the Deer Park staff for the last six years, most recently as our Deputy Superintendent of Schools in charge of Curriculum and Instruction. While we were saddened to hear of the retirement of Elizabeth Marino, our Superintendent of the past three years, we thank her for all that she has done and wish her the best in her future endeavors. I speak on behalf of the entire Board of Education when I say we have the utmost confidence in Eva. Given her successful track record here, her familiarity with the staff, program, and community, we expect a seamless transition. She is the logical choice and most qualified to keep our district moving in a positive direction.
As you will read in this issue of The Standard, much has taken place in the last few months. Another class of Deer Park graduates is about to embark on their postsecondary journey to make their respective marks on the world. I wish them good luck. Rest assured, they have been provided with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.
I am particularly pleased to acknowledge that our district is making significant strides on the Math and English Language Arts (ELA) assessments. We owe Ms. Marino, Ms. Demyen and our administrative team and faculty much credit for their efforts. Of course, the students are ultimately to be praised. They continue to achieve at high levels in mathematics and have made substantial gains in ELA, with 80-90% of students passing – many mastering the exam – in nearly every tested grade.
In anticipation of the new school year, much work has been done during the summer to improve our facilities–ensuring that students are learning in a safe, nurturing environment, conducive to success. As we near completion of the community-approved EXCEL-funded projects, we are simultaneously improving different areas of our schools through a series of budgeted capital projects. This includes the installation of greener, more efficient building systems, as well as the enhancement of various academic, co-curricular and extracurricular resources.
Our students will have much to look forward to when they return this fall. Best wishes for a healthy remainder of the summer and an outstanding school year ahead!
Good luck and God bless,
Dennis Ryan, President – Board of Education
