For a second time, Sayville Middle School received the Prestigious “Schools to Watch" Award

Representing NYSED and the NYS Middle School Association, Dr. David Payton, presented Sayville Middle School Principal Dr. Walter Schartner with the Schools to Watch certificate and banner at an awards ceremony. During the special celebration on April 23 before the assembly of the entire school, Dr. Payton acknowledged the extraordinary double honor given to Sayville Middle School for achieving the NYS Essential Elements The Schools to Watch title yet again. This prestigious designation reflected on the quality and character of the Sayville Middle School community as it continued to self-evaluate and improve its educational opportunities.

Originally, in 1997, the STW program was developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grade Reform. In 2005, Sayville Middle School participated in the STW program and was given its first certificate in 2006. Now, after a series of new evaluations, the School to Watch committee reviewed the latest compiled evidence and determined that the Sayville Middle School merited this accolade in 2009. It also raised the Middle School to a new level of accomplishment as one of the six in New York and sixty in the nation to be a multiple recipients of this National School of Excellence award. 

After accepting the certificate and banner on behalf of the entire Middle School Community, Middle School Principal Dr. Walter Schartner expressed his gratitude for the team effort that enabled the school to be “a wonderful part of this continuing improvement process.”

Also during this celebration, soldiers from the New York National Guard, that included Middle School Social Studies Mike Huggins, presented the Sayville Middle School with a certificate and flag as a thank you for the boxes of supplies the Middle School community sent to soldiers overseas during the holidays. Although one of the National Guard members, Victor Figliuolo who was still on tour, could not be present to participate in the presentation, as a Sayville parent to Middle School student Victor, Victor senior was proudly represented by his wife Laraine and son. Cheers rose from the staff and student body when young Victor received the flag for the Middle School.

The ceremony closed with a piano solo by Sixth-grader Anthony Vetere who played What a Wonderful World. The assembly gave him a standing ovation for his amazing performance.

Sayville School District is very proud of the Middle School’s accomplishment which, as Superintendent Dr. Rosemary Jones stated in her message, “It is the only school on Long Island that has received this honor, which is testimony to its strong academic program.”