Hewlett-Woodmere Appoints New Principals

The Hewlett-Woodmere School District has announced the hiring of three new principals — two of whom already work in the district — that will replace those who chose to accept a retirement incentive last year.

Woodmere Middle School Principal Rick Berkowitz, Franklin Early Childhood Center Principal Bonnie Epstein and Hewlett Elementary School Principal Sandra Pensak all accepted a retirement deal that granted them a one-time payment of 40 percent of their annual salaries. Their last day will be June 30.

The Hewlett-Woodmere school board last Wednesday approved the appointments of Al Bauer as principal of WMS; Evelyn Lolis as principal of HES; and Lorraine Smyth as principal of FECC. All appointments are effective July 1, 2013.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of three outstanding educators and instructional leaders to serve as principals in our district,” Superintendent Dr. Joyce Bisso said in a release. “Candidates were selected after a thorough recruitment and screening process that included parents, teachers, and administrators. We are most confident that these exceptional instructional leaders will be invaluable in carrying forward the work of our retiring principals.”

Last year, Dina Anzalone, then the district’s director of curriculum and assessment, succeeded Joan Birringer-Haig as principal of Ogden Elementary School.

The following are bios from the district on the new principals:

Woodmere Middle School — Al Bauer

Al Bauer currently serves as assistant principal of Hewlett High School, a position he has held since 2008. As assistant principal, Mr. Bauer guides the high school’s instructional practices, ensures equity and opportunity for all students, plans and schedules new course offerings, chairs the Professional Development committee, and serves as a valued member of the District’s Leadership Team and Instructional Leadership Team. 

Prior to joining Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools, Mr. Bauer served as the Chairperson of Mathematics and as a seventh and eighth grade mathematics teacher at Floral Park Junior/Senior High School in the Sewanhaka Central School District. As Chairperson of Mathematics, Mr. Bauer worked with the District’s elementary schools on curriculum development, provided a Mathematics Improvement Plan for the seventh and eighth grades, and developed long- and short-term goals for Junior/Senior High School mathematics teachers. Mr. Bauer has also served as a Clinical Adjunct Supervisor at Adelphi University.

He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Instructional Leadership from St. John’s University. He holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from Long Island University/C.W. Post and a Master of Arts in Secondary Mathematics Education from Adelphi University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Hofstra University.

Hewlett Elementary School — Evelyn Lolis

Evelyn Lolis will join Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools after serving as assistant principal of Saw Mill Road Elementary School in North Bellmore, a position she has held since July 2012. As assistant principal, Mrs. Lolis designs and facilitates professional development, conducts formal and informal observations, facilitates implementation of New York State Assessments, participates in the selection process for instructional and non-instructional personnel, constructs and manages school schedules, supervises teaching assistants and substitute teachers, and serves on all school-wide committees.

Prior to joining North Bellmore, Mrs. Lolis taught at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in the Great Neck School District as a fourth and fifth grade teacher for 11 years. She also provided early literacy intervention for first grade students, developed social studies and literature curriculum, served as the French enrichment teacher and provided summer school remedial math for sixth graders.

Mrs. Lolis is pursuing her Doctorate in Education from Hofstra University, with an anticipated completion date of September 2013. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from Hofstra University, a Masters in Elementary Education from Queens College, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Economics from New York University, Stern School of Business.

Franklin Early Childhood Center — Lorraine Smyth

Lorraine Smyth currently serves as assistant principal of Hewlett Elementary School, a position she has held since 2007. As assistant principal, Mrs. Smyth facilitates the implementation of all instructional programs, serves as Math Coordinator, creates the master schedule, leads staff development workshops, conducts teacher evaluations and collaborates with parents. She is also a valued member of the District Leadership Team and Instructional Leadership Team, as well as serving on multiple district-wide committees.

Prior to joining Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools, Mrs. Smyth was the teacher coordinator for Howell Road Elementary School in Valley Stream #13 where she assumed the role of acting principal as needed, coordinated the District Saturday Excursion Program and the Math Curriculum Nights, and facilitated science, math, social studies, shared decision making, and curriculum and development committee meetings. She also served as the district’s Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Coordinator.

Mrs. Smyth has broad experience in early childhood education. Her 18 years of classroom instruction include 15 years as a kindergarten teacher at Howell Road Elementary School and at St. Raphael’s School in Long Island City. In addition, she taught both second and third grades at Howell Road.

Mrs. Smyth holds her School District Administrator Certificate from Stony Brook University. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a Reading Concentration and a Bachelor of Science in Education (pre-k through sixth grade) from St. John’s University.