Floyd Pride
WFUT REPRESENTS AT HOLIDAY PARADE!

WFSD SALUTES VETERANS
In honor of Veterans Day, kindergarten- and first-grade students at Tangier Smith Elementary School in the William Floyd School District, held their annual Veterans Day concert and had the opportunity to express their gratitude to veterans for their service through the singing of songs and with the presentation of thank you cards.
This annual event, organized each year by kindergarten teacher Wendy Gross, is filled with students singing patriotic songs such as “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “I Pledge Allegiance,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and more. In attendance were current and former service members from the American Legion Arthur H. Clune Post 1533 (Mastic Beach), the 106th Rescue Wing of the Air National Guard, as well as U.S. Army veteran and William Floyd alumnus Congressman-elect Lee Zeldin. New York State Assemblyman Ed Hennessey (also a William Floyd alumnus) and Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning were also in attendance to thank our community’s veterans.
Additionally, the William Floyd School District held a Veterans Day ceremony at the Armed Forces Memorial in front of William Floyd High School. The NJROTC presented the colors, there were student vocal performances (William Floyd High School and Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School), as well as student speakers, Jen McDermott, President, WFHS Student Government, and Sebastian Santiago, a fifth grader at Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School.
Additionally, Robert Vecchio, President of the William Floyd Board of Education, after thanking our nation’s veterans for their service, announced that the first Long Island chapter of the “Our Community Salutes” program will begin right here within the William Floyd community. “Our Community Salutes” is a national non-profit designed to recognize and honor graduating high school students and their families who have made commitments to enlist in the armed services after graduation.
In honor of Veterans Day, kindergarten- and first-grade students at Tangier Smith Elementary School in the William Floyd School District, held their annual Veterans Day concert and had the opportunity to express their gratitude to veterans for their service through the singing of songs and with the presentation of thank you cards.
This annual event, organized each year by kindergarten teacher Wendy Gross, is filled with students singing patriotic songs such as “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “I Pledge Allegiance,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and more. In attendance were current and former service members from the American Legion Arthur H. Clune Post 1533 (Mastic Beach), the 106th Rescue Wing of the Air National Guard, as well as U.S. Army veteran and William Floyd alumnus Congressman-elect Lee Zeldin. New York State Assemblyman Ed Hennessey (also a William Floyd alumnus) and Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning were also in attendance to thank our community’s veterans.
Additionally, the William Floyd School District held a Veterans Day ceremony at the Armed Forces Memorial in front of William Floyd High School. The NJROTC presented the colors, there were student vocal performances (William Floyd High School and Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School), as well as student speakers, Jen McDermott, President, WFHS Student Government, and Sebastian Santiago, a fifth grader at Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School.
Additionally, Robert Vecchio, President of the William Floyd Board of Education, after thanking our nation’s veterans for their service, announced that the first Long Island chapter of the “Our Community Salutes” program will begin right here within the William Floyd community. “Our Community Salutes” is a national non-profit designed to recognize and honor graduating high school students and their families who have made commitments to enlist in the armed services after graduation.

WFHS STUDENTS ATTEND SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA AT STALLER CENTER
Through a partnership with Stony Brook University, more than 40 William Floyd High School foreign language and music department students recently had the opportunity to attend a live performance of the Grammy Award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra at the Staller Center for the Arts.
“Known for their outstanding performances of Latin jazz and salsa, students were immersed in a unique learning experience that was not only exceptionally musical, but also culturally authentic and primarily in Spanish,” said Ryan Feldscher, Lead Music Teacher, William Floyd School District.
The event was organized by high school principal Barbara Butler, and teachers Amy Sckipp (music), Ryan Feldscher (music), Derek Robinson (foreign language), Esmeralda Soto (foreign language) and Carol Janowicz (foreign language). Special thanks to Stony Brook University and the Staller Center for the Arts for hosting the students and staff.
Through a partnership with Stony Brook University, more than 40 William Floyd High School foreign language and music department students recently had the opportunity to attend a live performance of the Grammy Award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra at the Staller Center for the Arts.
“Known for their outstanding performances of Latin jazz and salsa, students were immersed in a unique learning experience that was not only exceptionally musical, but also culturally authentic and primarily in Spanish,” said Ryan Feldscher, Lead Music Teacher, William Floyd School District.
The event was organized by high school principal Barbara Butler, and teachers Amy Sckipp (music), Ryan Feldscher (music), Derek Robinson (foreign language), Esmeralda Soto (foreign language) and Carol Janowicz (foreign language). Special thanks to Stony Brook University and the Staller Center for the Arts for hosting the students and staff.
![]() 15 WFHS STUDENTS SELECTED FOR NYSCAME ALL-COUNTY FESTIVAL
Fifteen William Floyd High School students have been chosen to perform this November at the NYSCAME (New York State Council of Administrators for Music Education) All-County Music Festival, an honors festival for students who demonstrate excellence on their instruments or with their voices. “The students and their teachers have worked extremely hard to achieve this great honor,” said Ryan Feldscher, lead music teacher, William Floyd School District. “Only the top 11th- and 12th-grade musicians in Suffolk County are selected for this festival.” The NYSCAME All-County students selected for their voices are: Marion Woodson, Brianna Balzano, Sasha Hameed, Rebecca Engel, Elizabeth Ertola, Jacqueline Engel, Dominick Perraglia, Hannah Jaynes, Michael Walker, Salvatore Palma and Giselle Castillo. Selected for their instrumental talents are: Calvin Arancibia (trombone); Daniel Cresci (horn); Avalon Monti (trumpet); and Jeffrey Ingegno (bass). Congratulations also to their teachers: Michael Cordaro (band); Barbara D’Orio (chorus); Ryan Feldscher (chorus); and Amy Sckipp (orchestra). |
![]() WILLIAM FLOYD ELEMENTARY "SOCKTOBER" DONATION TO BENEFIT LESS FORTUNATE
Inspired by Internet star Robby Novak (aka Kid President) and his declaration that October should be “Socktober” and a time to serve the homeless, students in Ms. Jennifer Colosa’s third-grade classes at William Floyd Elementary School, decided that they wanted to celebrate Socktober by helping those in need through a sock and clothing drive. To spread the word, students made morning announcements about Socktober and teachers showed Kid President’s video. Together, they collected hundreds of pairs of socks and other clothing, enough to fill two cars, which will help the less fortunate in their school and in the local community. “My third-grade classes brainstormed ways that they could be community superheroes and truly make a difference in the lives of others,” said Ms. Colosa. “We'd like to thank the entire William Floyd Elementary school community for their support and donations.” |
EIGHT GIRLS TENNIS PLAYERS EARN ALL-COUNTY HONORS!
The William Floyd varsity tennis team under head coach Dave Pia put forth a phenomenal performance at the Individual Conference Tennis Tournament held last week at William Floyd. Out of 16 teams and 64 players, William Floyd finished in the top three spots for Doubles and in third and fourth in the Singles competition. Additionally, eight players – Kelci Henn, Lisa Lin, Kayla D’Addario, Antonette Viglione, Zoe DaSilva, Victoria Panicola, Emily Fernandez and Brooke Fernandez – earned a spot on the All-County Team. In Doubles, the team of Henn and Lin defeated teammates D'Addario and Viglione in the finals securing first- and second-place, respectively. DaSilva and Panicola defeated a team from Mercy High School for third place. In Singles, Emily Fernandez defeated her teammate and sister Brook Fernandez, with each finishing in third- and fourth-place. All eight girls will compete in the County Tennis Tournament at Smithtown East with the hopes of earning a spot on the All-State Team. Additionally, Christina Cali also earned a spot on the All-Division Team. Congratulations and good luck! Floyd Strong! |

TWO WILLIAM FLOYD HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY MEMBERS NAMED MASTER TEACHERS
Two William Floyd teachers, Kristen Drury and Christine Rosado, were named Master Teachers by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo. They are among only 42 from the Long Island region and 319 from across New York State who will serve as teacher mentors charged with helping to support the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educators.
According to Governor Cuomo’s announcement, Master Teachers will engage in peer mentoring and intensive content-oriented professional development opportunities throughout the academic year, work closely with pre-service and early-career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers and attend required regular cohort meetings and participate in and lead professional development sessions each year throughout the four-year program.
"The Master Teacher Program creates a community of teacher experts dedicated to providing a first-rate learning experience for students across New York, and contributes to our efforts to attract and retain the best and the brightest in our STEM classrooms," Governor Cuomo said. "Investing in our teachers is investing in our students, and I am pleased to welcome and congratulate those who have already proven to be some of the highest-performing professionals in their field."
William Floyd High School teachers Kristen Drury (chemistry and forensics) and Christine Rosado (algebra 2 and advanced placement calculus) expressed excitement and gratitude for being named among this prestigious list of New York State educators.
“It seems more and more students are intimidated by science, technology, and mathematics when they should be pursuing it as an in demand, exciting and rewarding future career path,” said Ms. Drury. “It is my job as a science teacher to help instill the values of STEM education and develop interest and inherent curiosity in our students.”
Ms. Rosado added, “The STEM disciplines are an essential part of our educational system and as STEM teachers we need to share our passion and use it to inspire and motivate our students in these areas. The Master Teacher program will give me an opportunity to further my own STEM knowledge and the correlation between the disciplines in order to become a more effective educator.”
Additionally, both Ms. Drury and Ms. Rosado believe that the Master Teacher Program will afford them the opportunity to share ideas and collaborate with a variety of teachers from other interdisciplinary subjects with similar goals of inspiring students and sharing their love of the STEM disciplines.
Two William Floyd teachers, Kristen Drury and Christine Rosado, were named Master Teachers by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo. They are among only 42 from the Long Island region and 319 from across New York State who will serve as teacher mentors charged with helping to support the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educators.
According to Governor Cuomo’s announcement, Master Teachers will engage in peer mentoring and intensive content-oriented professional development opportunities throughout the academic year, work closely with pre-service and early-career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers and attend required regular cohort meetings and participate in and lead professional development sessions each year throughout the four-year program.
"The Master Teacher Program creates a community of teacher experts dedicated to providing a first-rate learning experience for students across New York, and contributes to our efforts to attract and retain the best and the brightest in our STEM classrooms," Governor Cuomo said. "Investing in our teachers is investing in our students, and I am pleased to welcome and congratulate those who have already proven to be some of the highest-performing professionals in their field."
William Floyd High School teachers Kristen Drury (chemistry and forensics) and Christine Rosado (algebra 2 and advanced placement calculus) expressed excitement and gratitude for being named among this prestigious list of New York State educators.
“It seems more and more students are intimidated by science, technology, and mathematics when they should be pursuing it as an in demand, exciting and rewarding future career path,” said Ms. Drury. “It is my job as a science teacher to help instill the values of STEM education and develop interest and inherent curiosity in our students.”
Ms. Rosado added, “The STEM disciplines are an essential part of our educational system and as STEM teachers we need to share our passion and use it to inspire and motivate our students in these areas. The Master Teacher program will give me an opportunity to further my own STEM knowledge and the correlation between the disciplines in order to become a more effective educator.”
Additionally, both Ms. Drury and Ms. Rosado believe that the Master Teacher Program will afford them the opportunity to share ideas and collaborate with a variety of teachers from other interdisciplinary subjects with similar goals of inspiring students and sharing their love of the STEM disciplines.