The 2024-2025 school year has been met with big changes throughout the Sewanhaka Central High School District. This fall, New Hyde Park Memorial High School welcomes a new principal and assistant dean, Ms. DeGennaro and Ms. Madigan, respectively.
The process to hire a new principal is particularly thorough to ensure that the candidate is a good fit for the role. The hiring process began in August when the potential candidates went through interviews with three different committees: student, parent and teacher. Most interestingly, students from NHP were given the opportunity to draft their own questions tailored to the day-to-day activities at New Hyde Park.
At the district board meeting on August 27, 2024, Ms. DeGennaro was officially named principal of New Hyde Park Memorial. To celebrate this occasion, ten students surprised their new principal by presenting her with flowers.
Representing their commitment to transparency with the student body, both Ms. DeGennaro and Ms. Madigan agreed to participate in the very first video interview with The Chariot.
Throughout the interview, they both stressed the importance of students showing up to class on time. Not only do they cite safety reasons, they note that it is important for all students at New Hyde Park to have an equal opportunity to learn. They also covered the importance of the new ID policy for this school year, which requires for all students to wear their IDs while in the building.
Many are hopeful for a year of positive changes with the help of the new principal and assistant dean. Their attention to safety, respect and open communication has already significantly impacted the school community. As the school year unfolds, many students and staff are eager to see how their leadership will shape the future of NHP.
