The Hicksville Council of PTAs has chosen Stephen Aronowitz, principal of the Hicksville Middle School, as the recipient of its Founder's Day Award. The prize is presented annually to an individual from the district who has shown "a special devotion and deep commitment to the well-being" of the students.

"It is the greatest feeling in the world when you are honored by people who you work for and with...Getting honored by the people whose input I value so much means that they value mine," said Aronowitz, during an interview earlier this week. He went on to say that he was humbled by this distinction and actually nervous about the presentation dinner.

Aronowitz, a graduate of Emerson College in Boston, came to the Hicksville School District as the chair of the English department for secondary education in 1986. He was named assistant principal of the middle school in 1992 and subsequently elevated to the position of principal in 1997. He has also served as the supervisor of liberal arts, and as director of the Adult Education and Evening High School during his tenure with the district.

He has long shared a close relationship with the parents and teachers of the district. His collaborative effort and involvement with the PTSA and SEPTA as their middle school representative helped to enhance curriculum through the creation and development of innovative programs such as the Reflections Contest, PTSA incentives for the New York State standardized testing and various fund raisers offering student scholarships.

"I have always felt they are the key. They are a major factor of a school's success," said Aronowitz. "If you have strong parental support you are in business, if you have no parental support you are in trouble...My relationship with parents I feel has always been good because I have always appreciated the importance of their role and they know how I feel about their value."

Becoming the principal of the Hicksville Middle School was the realization of a long-time goal for Aronowitz that had originated during his 14 years of work as an English teacher in the Elwood School District in East Northport. He stated that by taking on the administrative role of a principal he hoped to make all parts of the school work better for the students.

"It gives me the opportunity to help teachers and an entire staff...and to help children develop both academically and socially," said Aronowitz of his position.

He continued, "I work with a group of very devoted individuals. From the minute I have come here I have found people whose success is dictated by their students success' so if a child has done well the teachers are inspired to do more. A big part of my job is to make sure those teachers know how important they are."

Some of his accomplishments in the district include the development of the Hicksville Middle School's Bus Safety Program which relocated the buses from Jerusalem Avenue to Second Street and color-coded the routes to facilitate busing for the students. He also assisted in the development of the Academic Enrichment Program and played an instrumental role in helping the middle school to satisfy the academic, extra-curricular and general school environment criteria established by the New York State Department of Education which garnered the acclaimed Challenge for Excellence distinction.

Since becoming principal of the middle school, Aronowitz, who described his students as being genuinely good kids, stated he has noticed a greater focus among them on their education. "I think kids are more aware that they have to do well here if they are to be successful in life," said Aronowitz.

In addition to the Founder's Day Award being presented to Aronowitz, the Council of PTAs is also recognizing the efforts of parents and teachers from throughout the district. Echoing that sentiment, Aronowitz said, "This is not a one person job, I may be the principal but the successes of this district are by and large based on the successes of the teachers and parents that support the students."

The following individuals were named as honorees for Founder's Day by their respective school PTAs: Burns Avenue: Patty Angenbroich, Marion Rosinsky, Susan Goulet, Diane Sivertson; Dutch Lane: Joyce Gorski, Mary Anne O'Connor, Katherine Rock, Stephanie Sullo; East Street: Jean-Marie Serra, Margaret Giuntini, Lisa Christie, Alesia Sommers, Pat Abbondondolo, Linda Lane; Fork Lane: Jeff Harris, Dorinda Cline, Tina Ithier; Lee Avenue: Geraldine Durso, Anne Keiman, Anne LaBarbera, Ellen Lentini, Chris Mirro, Lorraine Franchese; Old Country Road: Bill Dougherty, Maureen Kuperberg, Dolores Ajello, Diane Defeo; Woodland: Megan Xiques, Carla Their, Barbara Urbielewicz, Kathi Calvanese; middle school: Donald Larsen, Alex Monti, Nicholas Naccarato, Lorraine Pfaender; high school: Terry LaVelle, Deirdre Giannoccora, Robert Trenkle, Judith Paseltiner; SEPTA: Dr. Maria Worzel, Michael Harman, Kathy Rieger. The honorees will be guests of honor of their PTAs at the 47th Annual

Founder's Day Dinner will be held this year on February 17 at the Chateau Briand Restaurant, in Westbury at 7 p.m. The Founder's Day committee is inviting everyone to join in honoring these special members of the community. The National PTA sets aside the month of February as a time to honor the memory and spirit of PTA founders. Tickets may be ordered from Jenny Anderson at 681-6957 or Rose Fleischman at 681-0271.