Syosset Schools administration was very busy interviewing and hiring new faculty members and administrators throughout the summer. Over 60 new staff members attended an orientation meeting on Aug. 27 held at South Woods Middle School. Members of the Board of Education, PTA representatives, Superintendent Dr. Carole G. Hankin and many other district administrators were present to greet the new members of the Syosset school community.

"Welcome to Syosset," said Dr. Hankin. "You are very fortunate to have come to a district that has the full support of a wonderful Board of Education and has a great partnership with involved and caring parents, faculty and staff."

School Board President Janet Cox, Vice President Dr. Marc Herman and trustees Maria Anderson, Shari Dorfman and Ellen Meller each gave a personal welcome to the new staff members and wished them much success and happiness in Syosset. PTA Council President Stephanie Albert and STA President Jeff Rozran also gave their congratulations and welcomes to the district.

All ten schools in the district will have at least one new teacher and new district coordinators will be involved in curriculum and programs in every school as well. "We have new teachers in many different grades and subject areas and they all have some very important things in common," said Dr. Hankin. "They will have many experienced Syosset teachers and administrators who will help them to make a smooth transition to the district and they are all here because they have shown that educating and helping children succeed is their first priority. We have hired a group of individuals with excellent qualifications and numerous talents that will continue to enrich our school community."

In addition to the new teachers and administrators preparing for a successful school year, the fall athletes started practicing for their upcoming season.

The football players were the first to return. On Monday, Aug. 18, about 125 Syosset High School football players came to begin getting ready for the season. A physically demanding sport, the students use the time to get in shape after the summer vacation. Syosset High will have three football teams this fall, a freshman team, a junior varsity team and the varsity team. After spending the week practicing at home, most of the 125 players will choose to travel with nine coaches and a nurse to Pierce Camp Birchmont in Wolfeboro, NH for another intensive week of practice. The Homecoming game will be held at Syosset on Saturday, Oct. 11 against Farmingdale High School.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 25, the other sports teams started to fill the playing fields at Syosset High School. There are a total of 18 separate teams of Syosset High School athletes participating in fall sports this coming season. This includes three football teams, three boys soccer teams, two girls soccer teams, one girls swimming team, two girls volleyball teams, one boys and one girls cross country team, one boys golf team, kickline and three teams in cheerleading.

Perhaps the athlete most excited of anyone in Syosset this fall is the district's new athletic Director Gerald Baratta. Most recently an administrative assistant at Syosset High School, Baratta began his career in Syosset as a teacher of Sports Marketing in the High School Business Department. Baratta, who played football and lacrosse in college, has coached sports for many years from youth teams through middle school, high school and up through college.

"If last season's team results are any indication of how this district is going to do, we're going to have a great fall season and a great year," said Baratta. "I am so excited to have this opportunity to lead such a fantastic district. Each year our secondary schools have about 2,450 students participating in school sports. That's well over 50 percent of all our students showing a great deal of interest and motivation in athletics."