At the district’s June 17 Board of Education meeting, the district recognized seven Wyandanch Memorial High School seniors who earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy, which appears as a seal on the diploma and a notation on the high school transcript, is a prestigious distinction awarded to high school graduates who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language. 

Wyandanch’s 2026 Seal of Biliteracy recipients are Hector Ato Chinchay (Spanish), Leslie Bonilla (Spanish), Mitchara Etienne (French), Sabrina Gamez-Navaroo (Spanish), Kimberlyn Herandez-Chicas (Spanish), Guerly Noel (French and Haitian Creole) and Katia Pereira-Alvarado (Spanish).

“It was a pleasure working with the students this academic year as they completed their culminating projects,” Director of ENL, Bilingual & World Language Gaetano Vaccaro said. “Language learning has many advantages. For graduating seniors, it helps them stay competitive with other applicants when applying to colleges and universities as the Seal is recognized in all 50 states. If they continue developing this “superpower,” they will also have an edge in a global work force.”

The district also honored a dozen dedicated staff members who are retiring. Congratulations to the following:
 
Districtwide 
Lance Roettinger (maintenance mechanic – 10 years of service)
Valena Welch-Woodley (principal – 12 years of service)
Sharin Wilson (network communications specialist –29 years of service)

Wyandanch Memorial High School
Mary Ellen McEntee (science teacher – 8 years of service)
Dexter Ward (guidance counselor – 27 years of service)

Milton L. Olive Middle School 
Trudy Taylor (elementary teacher – 10 years of service)
Andre Edwards (teaching assistant –24 years of service)

Lafrancis Hardiman Elementary School
Vergia Hill (teaching Assistant – 17 years of service)
Cheryl Dimperio (elementary teacher – 25 years of service)
Cindy Paschall (elementary teacher –25 years of service)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
Michele Ciuro (elementary teacher – 22 years of service)
Dr. Monique Habersham (principal –12 years of service)

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