Stephen Scarallo has been appointed, by the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School Board, as the new principal of the Manor Oaks School; Lydia Begley has been transferred as principal of the Manor Oaks School to principal of the Hillside Grade School and Rachel Bono has been rehired by the district as the Supervisor for Instructional Technology and Curriculum.

The vacancy at Manor Oaks was caused by the transfer, at the decision of Superintendent Joseph Rudaitis, of Manor Oaks principal Lydia Begley to principal of the Hillside Grade School. Rudaitis said, "This was a tough decision, but the right one. During the summer Anne Faraone informed me that she was regretfully resigning as principal of Hillside Grade School because she was relocating to another state. After considering many factors, I decided to transfer Lydia Begley to Hillside, which is the largest school in the district. She will do an excellent job there."

Rudaitis continued, "Of course, I realized immediately that replacing someone of Begley's talents at Manor Oaks would be challenging. That's why I committed right away to the board, the parents and staff at Manor Oaks that we wouldn't rest until we found the right principal for Manor Oaks and I think we have done that."

Begley, the principal at Manor Oaks for the past two years, commented, "As the Manor Oaks principal for the past two years I have had the privilege of working with wonderful children, parents and teachers. While I will miss the Manor Oaks community, I also look forward to new challenges at Hillside Grade School. I feel very fortunate to be able to call two New Hyde Park/Garden City Park schools my 'home away from home!"

Rudaitis said about the new Manor Oaks principal, "Stephen Scarallo emerged as the principal from a very strong field of candidates. I know that the committee of parents, teachers and other staff members who helped so much in the search were very impressed by his vitality and child-centeredness. The board of education and I feel confident that he will be an outstanding addition to the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park leadership team."

Scarallo, of Levittown, a husband and father of three young children, began his teaching career in 1981 in Queens after graduating from St. John's University. He received his master's degree in 1985 also from St. John's and continues his post-graduate education at Hofstra University.

Scarallo's Long Island public school and administrative experience began in the Baldwin School District in 1988 as a fifth grade teacher, assistant to the principal and the summer school principal. In 1996, Scarallo left Baldwin to assume a full-time assistant principal position for two elementary schools in the Uniondale School District."

Scarallo said, on the announcement of his appointment, "What a wonderful community. I am delighted by the clear commitment to excellence and a quality educational experience for the children in this district. The commitment seemed apparent throughout the interview process. It is obvious to me that this community values its schools and its children. The buildings and grounds are attractive and well kept as are the homes in the surrounding area. I am honored and privileged to serve as principal of Manor Oaks Elementary School and I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park community."

Earlier in the summer, Rachel Bono was rehired as the Supervisor for Instructional Technology and Curriculum. She said, "I am very happy to be part of the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park school community again. I look forward to a productive year, working with staff and children, helping them integrate technology into our curriculum."

Rudaitis added, "Rachel Bono has a wonderful gift. She defuses anxiety about technology and puts people at ease. Teachers become willing to take risks and children benefit."

Rudaitis also expressed pride in the caliber of teachers hired this summer and of his staff in general. He summed up his summer by saying, "We were very busy this summer, but it all paid off. At this point, when I look at New Hyde Park/Garden City Park I feel a little like what Joe Torre must feel about his Yankee team this year. We've got a great professional team, too, with a first-rate teaching and administrative staff. Add in hard-working, top-notch clerical, custodial and other support staff members and, yes, I feel a lot like Joe Torre!"