Sewanhaka Central High School District appointed Acting Principal Rosemary DeGennaro as principal of New Hyde Park Memorial High School Aug. 29.
DeGennaro started her professional career as an English teacher and then assistant principal at Christ the King Regional High School from 2000 to 2008. She then joined the Sewanhaka Central High School District 16 years ago as an assistant principal of New Hyde Park Memorial High School.
“I implemented a lot of new initiatives, I’ve worked with the kids for a long time, I know the faculty very well. We work well together,” DeGennaro said. “And to take on this new role as the leader of the building, I’m really excited about it and we’ve done a lot of great work with the past principal and I just want to see that work continue. So that’s really my reason for taking on this new role.”
DeGennaro said when she was the assistant principal, she implemented an initiative to have a specific theme for each school year. She said these themes find their way into discussions in the classroom and they sometimes define some of the activities in the building.
For example, this year’s theme is believing in real-world connections, which involves putting technology aside and trying to get to know one another. She said by implementing this theme, she will ensure that the students have an opportunity to talk to each other, have a voice in the school and not get so attached to their cell phones.
“We’re looking at putting board games in the cafeteria during lunch and I’ve worked with my staff to come up with some creative ways moving forward as to how we can provide a distraction from the cell phone,” DeGennaro said.
As an educator, DeGennaro said she recognized the challenges that students face, which she said has changed over the course of her career. She said she had to alter her procedures or techniques and understand the new demands for dealing with these challenges. This is something that she said she is very mindful of and wants to instill in her staff.
In her role as assistant principal, DeGennaro provided ongoing mentorship for department chairs, supplied professional development on classroom management, had complete knowledge of the Master Schedule for grades 7 through 12 and the special education program, and maintained and updated all school safety plans.
Additionally, DeGennaro is an active participant in the school community, serving as the co-chair of the Middle States Evaluation Committee, overseeing the school’s Safety Committee and Shared Decision-Making Committee and serving as the building representative for District Food Advisory Committee and Grade Book Committee.
DeGennaro is also involved with the New Hyde Park PTSA and the Dad’s Club.
DeGennaro holds a bachelor’s in English and secondary education from Queens
College, a master’s in ELA curriculum and learning disabilities from St. John’s University,
and a professional diploma in administration/supervision from St. John’s University.
“Congratulations to Rosemary DeGennaro, the newly appointed principal of New Hyde Park Memorial High School,” the Lakeville Estates Civic Association of New Hyde Park said on Facebook. “May your tenure be filled only with success.”