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KLSD celebrates our retirees & tenure recipients

Tenure Recipients:
Roseanne LaForte, Teaching Assistant, JJHS
Mallory McDonald, Assistant Principal, JJHS
Stefania Mercurio, School Psychologist, JJHS
Anna Nuccio, Mathematics, JJHS
Kristin Spiros, Guidance Counselor, JJHS
Katherine Burns, Guidance Counselor, JJMS
Christina Connors, Family and Consumer Sciences, JJMS
Michael Pompa, Assistant Principal, JJMS
Jacob Ryder, Mathematics 7-12, JJMS
Jacqueline Russo, Elementary Education, IMES
Heidi Weintraub, Elementary Education, IMES
Julia Zaremba, Art, IMES/MPES
Rosina Bain, Special Education, KES
Meredith Fontalvo, English as a New Language, KES
Sharon Paige, Elementary, KES
Samantha Thompson, Teaching Assistant, KES
David Bournas-Ney, Assistant Principal, MPES
Christina D'Ambrosio, Special Education, MPES
Rachel Henderson, Special Education, MPES
Alison Heitin, Speech Language Therapist
Dr. Julia Drake, Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Lisa Herlihy, Asst. Superintendent for Business

Retirees:
Cynthia Blando-Mallon, Registered Professional Nurse, JJHS
Neal Blum, Teaching Assistant, JJHS
Carlyn Bochicchio, Guidance Counselor, JJHS
Lauren Carrigan, Library Media Specialist, JJHS
Lisa Cirillo, Teacher Aide, JJHS
Kendra Collins, Art Teacher, JJHS/JJMS
Kathleen Dailey, Social Studies Teacher, JJHS
Kim Piccolino, Assistant Principal, JJHS
Matthew Rocchio, Teaching Assistant, JJHS
Xiaomei Tang, Math Teacher, JJHS
Victoria Weiss, English Teacher, JJHS
Candy Wilmot, Instructional Coach & English Teacher, JJHS
David Cook, Head Custodial Worker, JJMS/O&M
Katrina Costello, Special Education Teacher, JJMS
David Fritsch, Math and Science Teacher, JJMS
Joe Mammoser, Physical Education Teacher, JJMS
Susan Reiss, French and Latin Teacher, JJMS/JJHS
Jesse Weiss, 6th Grade Teacher, JJMS
Laura Woelfel, Home & Careers Teacher, JJMS
Debra Chumsky, Library Clerk, IMES/KES/MPES
Jean R. Jean-Pierre, Custodial Worker, KES/O&M
Anthony Burzesi, Custodial Worker, KES/O&M
Ann Marie Friscia, Elementary Teacher, MPES
Lynne Licht, Office Assistant, MPES
Sandra Mackenzie, Teaching Assistant, MPES
Joseph Murphy, Physical Education Teacher, MPES
Amy Signore, Instructional Coach, MPES
Ken Snyder, Maintenance Mechanic, O&M
Paul Clarke, Bus Driver, Transportation
Ann Heffernan, Bus Driver, Transportation
Juan Matos, Bus Driver, Transportation
Julio Ordonez, Bus Driver, Transportation
Susan Fowler, Secretary to School Administrator, Special Education
28 days ago, KLSD News
poster

🐾🌿3rd graders welcomed High Touch High Tech to explore ecosystems and habitats around the world. The hands-on lesson connected with the Inheritance and Traits “Wolf Unit” in Science.

#vision2030 #knowledgeandskills #sustainabilityandglobalcitizenship

28 days ago, KLSD News
students at desk
students standing
students sitting at desks and adult speaker standing

Built for speed ⚡️JJMS technology students designed and built hyperloop magnetic levitation pods that raced down the track. Using their critical thinking and problem-solving skills throughout the assignment, their focus always came back to the central question: how can we make the pod go faster?

#vision2030 #knowledgeandskills

about 1 month ago, KLSD News
students standing
students standing
students standing
students standing
students standing
students standing

A gallery full of imagination 🎨✨ Students were excited to find their artwork on display at the IMES Art Show. The event celebrated the creativity, talent, and original ideas of every student in the school. One fun highlight was the IMPACT team’s “Laundry Art” display, which transformed Lost & Found items into part of the exhibit and served as a clever reminder to take a second look at items left behind during the school year.

#vision2030 #knowledgeandskills #sustainabilityandglobalcitizenship

about 1 month ago, KLSD News
students standing
students standing
students standing
students standing
artwork
artwork

Congratulations to all of the students honored at Senior Recognition Night for their hard work, leadership, and contributions to the John Jay community. Our school is better because of you! 
#JJHS#seniors2026

about 1 month ago, KLSD News
students standing
student standing adults sitting
student standing adults sitting
student standing adults sitting
students standing adults sitting
students standing adults sitting
student standing adults sitting
student standing adults sitting
students standing
students standing

Listening, perspective, and productive conversation were the focus as members of LEAD JJ took part in a workshop with Braver Angels, an organization focused on bridging divides within communities. JJHS students practiced conflict resolution and structured discussion skills using the LAPP method: Listen, Acknowledge, Pivot, and Perspective while learning how to navigate differing viewpoints with respect and understanding.

#vision2030 #knowledgeandskills

about 1 month ago, KLSD News
students sitting
students sitting speaker standing
students sitting

Recorder concert season is here 🎶 3rd graders showed just how much they’ve learned this year during their music room concert.

#vision2030 #knowledgeandskills

about 1 month ago, KLSD News
students standing playing instruments

A first-place finish and a Superior rating for the JJHS Orchestra! 🎻🏆 At Music in the Parks, students earned top honors for their performances of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Dvořák’s New World Symphony. Judges praised the ensemble’s musicality, rhythm, and blend of sound as they tackled an advanced-level repertoire. This accomplishment is music to our ears!
#vision2030 #knowledgeandskills

about 1 month ago, KLSD News
students standing

Applause all around for our JJHS underclassmen. This year’s awards ceremony celebrated students with dozens of honors across academics, leadership, the arts, sciences, technology, world languages, service, and more, along with special recognition and book awards from various colleges and universities.

#vision2030 #knowledgeandskills #learnercenteredleadership

about 1 month ago, KLSD News
students on stage
students on stage
students on stage
Music on. Sneakers moving 🎶 KES 3rd graders used music and movement in PE class to build coordination and teamwork.

#Vision2030 #wellbeing
about 1 month ago, KLSD News
students dancing
students dancing

During gambling prevention month, JJHS seniors in Statistics and Calculus took part in an interactive presentation exploring the risks of gambling and its connection to mental health. Students examined probability and outcomes, common misconceptions, and analyzing risk and fairness.

#vision2030 #wellbeing

about 2 months ago, KLSD News
students standing
students sitting adult standing talking

A Gold with Distinction performance for the JJMS Chamber Orchestra 🎻 Students earned the highest possible rating at this year’s NYSSMA Majors Festival, recognizing exceptional technical and artistic performance.

#vision2030 #knowledgeandskills

about 2 months ago, KLSD News
students standing
Seniors returned to campus for Senior Seminar - a day of celebration and discussion centered on topics relevant to students entering a new and exciting phase of their lives. Workshop included Navigating Healthcare on Your Own, Stress Management & Mindfulness, and Share Your KLSD Experience with HS and District-Wide Administrators.
Thank you to the PTO.

#vision2030 #wellbeing #belonging
about 2 months ago, KLSD News
students standing
students sitting  eating
students sitting
students sitting
students standing
students standing and sitting at tables
students sitting
students standing

JJHS senior Julia is one of several seniors dedicating their senior internships to working with students in our elementary schools 💜 At IMES, she’s been spending her days in the library connecting with students.

#vision2030 #learnercenteredleadership

about 2 months ago, KLSD News
students sitting

The golden tickets led straight to the MPES stage 🍫🎭 MPES 5th graders presented Willy Wonka Jr. the musical.

about 2 months ago, KLSD News
poster
students on stage
Books stacked high, the Crunchem Hall spirit on full display 🎭✨ IMES 5th graders presented Matilda Jr. the musical.
about 2 months ago, KLSD News
students on stage
students on stage
students on stage
students on stage
students on stage

JJHS 10th grader Kevin O’Donnell advanced to the 2026 USA National Brain Bee Championship at the University of California, Irvine. Top high school neuroscience students from across the country competed in topics like brain anatomy, neurological disorders, patient diagnosis, and research concepts.
#vision2030 #knowledgeandskills

about 2 months ago, KLSD News
student and adult standing by poster

Traditional Chinese dance performance at MPES.  Students experienced the artistry and movement of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. For the grand finale they took to the stage and joined the performers. 

about 2 months ago, KLSD News
dancers on stage students sitting watching
dancers on stage students sitting watching
dancers on stage students sitting watching
students on stage dancing

From Buenos Aires to Mexico City, this JJHS Spanish class was selling the trip ✈️🇪🇸 As Spanish speaking travel agents, they created brochures and pitched destinations while answering questions from mock clients.
#vision2030 #knowledgeandskills #studentcenteredleadership

about 2 months ago, KLSD News
students sitting at desk talking
students sitting at desk talking
students sitting at desk talking

Leading with purpose ✨ JJHS students joined peers from across the region at the Young Women’s Leadership Summit at Manhattanville University, where students shared projects and ideas centered on leadership, advocacy, and community impact. Topics ranged from human rights and mental health to environmental awareness and women's empowerment. These three student leaders will also share their presentations at the May 21 Board of Education Meeting.

#vision2030 #wellbeingandbelonging

about 2 months ago, KLSD News
student standing with poster
student standing talking with adult standing
students standing
students standing
students standing talking
students standing
students standing