Huntington Union Free School District, P. O. Box 1500, Huntington, NY (2026)

09/22/2026

A Fresh New Look at J. Taylor Finley Middle School...

The Huntington Union Free School District’s Office of Food & Nutrition Services is proud to announce the grand opening of our beautiful new serving line at J. Taylor Finley Middle School!

A heartfelt thank-you goes to our incredible Buildings & Grounds team, whose hard work and dedication made this transformation possible. They removed the old serving line and connected the new equipment in record time over the summer. We truly appreciate everything they did to upgrade our kitchen so we can provide an elevated dining experience for our students.

Our goal is simple: Clean shiny kitchens, beautiful food and service with a smile. Every child, every day. 💙🤍

09/22/2026

Huntington UFSD Celebrates Community at Huntington Unity Day...

The Huntington Union Free School District was proud to participate in Huntington Unity Day, a special community celebration highlighting the many people, organizations and traditions that make the Huntington community so vibrant.
Planning for the event took place throughout the spring and summer, as a dedicated committee worked alongside officials and representatives from the Huntington Union Free School District, the South Huntington Union Free School District, the Town of Huntington and many other Huntington community groups to bring the celebration to life. The result was a memorable day filled with community spirit, music, recognition and opportunities for students, families and residents to come together.

Huntington UFSD was especially proud to celebrate several members of the school community who were recognized during the festivities. Honorees included Director of World Language, Dual Language and ENL Judy Moroff, along with student scholarship recipients Marilyn Mendoza and Chloe Donovan.

The district was well represented throughout the parade and festivities. Members of the Huntington UFSD Central Office Team joined in the celebration, including Superintendent Beth McCoy, Deputy Superintendent Christopher J. Hender, Assistant Superintendent Brenden P. Cusack and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rubie Harris.

They were joined by several District principals, directors and assistant directors, along with many teachers, club advisors, and support staff.

Adding a spirited soundtrack to the celebration, the Huntington Blue Devil Marching Band wowed the crowd with an energetic performance that showcased the tremendous talent and school spirit of Huntington High School students.
Huntington UFSD was also delighted to welcome members of several school and community organizations, including the United Amigos Club, Flower Hill Primary School PTA and Jefferson Primary School PTA. Their participation helped make the event an inclusive celebration that reflected the strength and diversity of the Huntington community.

Huntington Unity Day was a wonderful opportunity for students, families, educators, community leaders and residents to come together and celebrate the connections that unite us. Huntington UFSD is grateful to everyone who helped make the day such a meaningful and memorable experience for the entire community.

09/22/2026

Huntington Students Master Real-World Money Management as District Rolls Out New Personal Finance Curriculum...

When students walk across the graduation stage, their diplomas represent years of academic achievement in a wide variety of subject areas. Beginning this year, Huntington is ensuring every graduate leaves with another critical asset: the practical knowledge needed to manage their paychecks, navigate credit, assess and mitigate financial risk and build long-term financial security.

In response to the New York State Education Department’s requirement integrating personal finance instruction into grades 5–8 and 9–12 for the 2026-27 school year, Huntington has established a comprehensive program spanning middle and high school classrooms. Rather than treating financial literacy as an isolated requirement, the district has embedded these vital lessons into existing Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) coursework at J. Taylor Finley Middle School, required Economics classes at Huntington High School, and a brand-new AP Business offering. Curriculum alignment projects took place this summer with Board of Education approval. According to Secondary Social Studies Chair, Mr. Joseph Leavy, “A team of teachers from the Social Studies, Math and FACS departments collaborated on the expansive units on financial literacy which fit well with the Finley FACS coursework and the high school 12th grade economics classes.”

Building the Foundation at Finley Middle School

The financial literacy journey begins in the FACS classrooms at Finley Middle School, where young teens get their first hands-on look at how money works in everyday life. The curriculum focuses on demystifying common financial terms—like gross versus net income, fixed and variable expenses, and the difference between credit and debit cards—through interactive, real-world exercises.

Read the full article at www.hufsd.edu

09/22/2026

Huntington Blue Devils Marching Band Shines in Season Debut...

The Huntington Blue Devils Marching Band (HBDMB) kicked off its 2026 season in spectacular fashion, premiering its new production during the first halftime show of the year. The students delivered an incredible performance, setting the tone for a memorable season ahead.

But that was just the beginning of an action-packed weekend.

Earlier that same day, the band participated in the annual Huntington Unity Day Parade, where they once again impressed with their energy, precision, and pride. Their performance in the parade was a testament to the hard work and dedication they have poured into rehearsals since the summer, and they performed with confidence and professionalism, representing Huntington with distinction. This was a perfect premier to their first upcoming competition of the 2026 season at Brentwood.

Adding to the excitement of Saturday's halftime show, the High Steppers took the field for their first performance of the season as well. They opened the halftime program with an outstanding routine before the marching band took the field, a wonderful showcase of the talent and spirit within our Huntington community.
Dr. Robert Wottawa shared his pride in the students' performance: "What an amazing way to start off our season! The weather was perfect for the Unity Parade, and the halftime show demonstrated the hard work and perseverance required for an all-day showcase. We are very proud of our students, teachers, staff, and our Band Parents Association of Huntington."

Congratulations to our students, staff, and families on an incredible opening weekend. We are so proud of all that you have accomplished and we cannot wait to see where this season takes you.

Here's to an unforgettable 2026 season!

09/22/2026

Southdown Primary School Welcomes Students Back with a Community Block Party...

Southdown Primary School kicked off the new school year in the best possible way with a memorable Welcome Back Block Party that brought students, families, teachers, support staff and community members together for an evening filled with fun, laughter and Southdown school spirit.

The celebration featured music, dancing and lively contests led by a DJ, creating an energetic atmosphere that had students and families smiling from start to finish. Students also enjoyed temporary tattoos provided by returning Southdown alumni, as well as creative crafts offered by the Huntington Public Library and Southdown’s own Ms. Petrizzi. Families eagerly participated in a variety of raffle baskets, while the ever-popular opportunity to “Pie the Principal” provided plenty of laughs and excitement.

The success of the event was made possible through the incredible generosity and dedication of the Southdown community. Southdown teachers and support staff generously volunteered their time and energy to help make the evening special, welcoming families, organizing activities and ensuring that students had a wonderful experience. Their enthusiasm and commitment helped create the warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes Southdown such a special place to learn and grow.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the Southdown PTA, whose planning, organization and tireless efforts were instrumental in bringing the Block Party to life. From coordinating activities and volunteers to supporting fundraising efforts, the PTA played an essential role in making the evening such a tremendous success.
The school community is also grateful to the many families, local partners and donors who contributed to the event. A special thank-you goes to the Nilsson family for generously donating ice cream, which was a delicious highlight of the evening and a favorite among students and families.

Thanks to the generosity of the Southdown community, the event raised more than $1,000, which will help support future Southdown activities and special events throughout the school year.

Most importantly, the Block Party provided a wonderful opportunity for families to reconnect, meet new friends and begin the school year with a strong sense of community. The smiles, laughter and enthusiasm throughout the evening were a wonderful reminder that a successful school year begins with a strong partnership among students, families, staff and the community.

09/20/2026

Big Congratulations to HUFSD's Director Of Bilingual Programs and World Languages K-12, Judy Goris- Moroff for being recognized as Grand Marshall at the Unity Day Fun Day Parade.

Ms. Goris-Moroff is deeply passionate about equity and advocacy for multilingual learners and a fighter for access and inclusion for these children and their families in learning opportunities.

Huntington is fortunate to have someone like Ms. Goris-Moroff in our corner.

The vision of Unity Day is to unite all of Huntington and to help raise awareness for necessary revitalizations and to develop the team framework to reclaim and rebuild Huntington Station.

09/17/2026

Welcome to Our House..!

First year Principal Yenifer Mercado loves to talk about her new school. “Jack Abrams Intermediate School is off to an exciting start as we continue to build a strong sense of community through our House System,” she said.

Students recently participated in a House Assembly, where they were introduced to the purpose and spirit of the House System. “The assembly focused on teamwork, leadership, school spirit, and the importance of building positive relationships with one another,” Ms. Mercado said. “Students learned how being part of a House will give them opportunities to connect with students across grade levels and work together throughout the school year.”

A few days later, the newest Jack Abrams students had their own special moment during a House sorting ceremony. “Our House Ambassadors visited our fourth graders, along with our new students and staff, who eagerly waited to discover which House they would join. The excitement filled the room as students were welcomed into their new Houses and celebrated with their Housemates,” Ms. Mercado said.

Throughout the school year, students will have opportunities to work together, demonstrate the REACH expectations, participate in activities, and celebrate the accomplishments of their House.

“While there will certainly be some friendly competition along the way, the heart of our House System is about belonging, teamwork, leadership, and connection,” Ms. Mercado said. “We are excited to watch our Houses grow and see the many ways our students will come together to support one another throughout the year.”

09/17/2026

Learning About Math at Woodhull School...

Woodhull Intermediate School fourth graders have been learning how to self-assess their understanding while engaging in student choice during math class. After learning a new skill, students independently practice solving problems on their whiteboards. Teachers Kathleen Cushing and Mallory Travers have been collaborating.

“To meet the needs of all learners, the exit ticket whiteboard problems are displayed on a range of Spice Levels,” Ms. Cushing said. “While many students start warming up their skills with Mild Spice number sets, other students may challenge themselves with advanced number sets on a Hot or Extra Hot Spice level.:

Looking to really show your understanding with some advanced numbers? Choose the Ghost Pepper Spice level to apply your understanding using critical thinking skills! Students solve as many Spice levels as they can.

After, one student model is displayed on the document camera for the whole class to analyze and provide feedback on. Compliments range from “I like how you used multiple strategies to show your work” to “I like how you explained your thinking with a sentence and rated your understanding!”

“Providing access to the Reveal Math program problems using this method has encouraged all students to self-reflect on their understanding while promoting student choice when solving problems at their independent, instructional, and extended thinking levels,” Ms. Travers said.

09/17/2026

Guidance Clerical Donna Saviano Takes Pride in Her Work...

Donna Saviano helps make the guidance office at Huntington High School run, serving students, parents and staff daily in highly organized way. She’s treasured by her co-workers who value her knowledge and experience.

“Donna is one of those people whose contributions may often happen behind the scenes, but whose impact is felt throughout the Counseling Center and our school community,” Director of School Counseling and Testing, K-12 Ricky V. Papandrea Jr., Ed.D. “She is incredibly reliable, hardworking, and always willing to do whatever is needed to support our students and staff.”

Ms. Saviano is intimately involved in the senior scholarship and awards program. She spends months planning for the ceremony. “It is just one example of the care and dedication she brings to everything she does,: Dr, Papandrea said. “Donna is truly an invaluable member of our team.”

The longtime clerical also takes a leading role in organizing the annual commencement brochure, acquiring and formatting thousands of small pieces of information so that everything is accurate in the historical document that gets distributed to thousands at the commencement exercises.

“She’s a hardworking and dedicated team member who approaches her responsibilities with care, attention to detail, and a willingness to step in wherever she is needed,” Dr. Papandrea said.

09/17/2026

Dance, Yoga & Mindfulness is Popular PE Course at Huntington...

Now firmly establised as a Huntington High School physical education course offering, Dance, Yoga and Mindfulness is one of the most popular classes with students.

Dance, Yoga and Mindfulness is a physical education course designed for students to achieve individual fitness goals. “It provides all students with the opportunity to acquire comprehensive knowledge of dance and yoga skills, the practice and benefits of mindfulness and fitness concepts,” states the curriculum guide. “Students develop and apply a broad understanding of choreography, dance, yoga and fitness elements and learn a variety of fun training techniques, which can be applied toward achieving personal fitness goals.”

The combination of fitness, dance and yoga offers students a total body workout, which promotes heart-healthy benefits along with the positive attributes associated with mindfulness.

“Students will learn movements in step-cardio, dance-cardio, body toning, Zumba fitness, cardio-Latin dance, hip-hop dance, Pilates and others dance genres,” concludes the course description.

All sections of the class are taught by Huntington High School physical education teacher Lauren Blackburn, who has been a district faculty member since September 2021. She worked as a health teacher at the high school and Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School in 2021/22 and has been a high school physical education teacher since September 2022.

Ms. Blackburn obtained an undergraduate degree at SUNY Cortland and a master’s degree at Adelphi University with certificates in both adapted physical education and health education. She coaches varsity Unified bowling, Unified bocce, JV girls’ volleyball and varsity girls’ lacrosse.

Ms. Blackburn is also co-advisor to the high school’s Grandfriends club. Prior to coming to Huntington, she was a teaching assistant and coach at Cold Spring Harbor. A graduate of Walt Whitman High School, she is a lifelong Huntington resident.

Huntington Union Free School District

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