With an agenda filled with pertinent information and accolades for staff members who reached milestone anniversaries, the District commenced the start of the 2017-18 school year on Sept. 5 during its Superintendent’s Conference Day.

After a warm welcome from Superintendent of Schools Mr. Gerard Poole, Board of Education Vice President Michael Lewis, Middle School Principal Kevin Vann, who also serves as the District’s Administrators Association President, and SWR Teacher’s Association President Mary Hygom, spoke at the two-day event. Alan Meinster, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; Mary Jean Carlson, Civil Service Employees Association President; and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Brian Heyward also addressed the faculty and staff to wish them a successful school year.

In his keynote address, Mr. Poole reflected upon the history of the school district, making note of its beginning in 1973, the first yearbook publication in 1977, and the New York Times articles from 1991. Additionally, he referenced the district’s history of success, by highlighting the average passing rate on all Regents exams at 95 percent and that both the High School and Middle School were recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools by the Department of Education in 1987 and 1983, respectively.

Mr. Poole then introduced a short, animated film on the importance of education and concluded the presentation with a reminder that SWR has a great history and tradition of academic and athletic excellence, innovation and educating the whole child.

The remainder of the two-day conference included staff reporting to their respective buildings for professional development programs and workshops in preparation for opening day on Thursday, Sept. 7.