School News

Burke now calling Harbor home

Principal excited for first year at elementary school

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Whether they were enrolled at Mandalay Elementary or one of two local middle schools, Thomas Burke’s students have always looked up to him — literally. Standing at 6 feet tall, Seaford Harbor Elementary’s new principal had to crouch down to speak with youngsters face to face at several back-to-school events in August and September.  

Burke said he hopes that the more than 550 students at the school, on Bayview Street, also hold him in high regard as a role model. “I want the students to see me as a teacher, because I am still a teacher,” he explained. “I think the principal’s role needs to change. You have to really become a lead teacher.” 

Burke, a former Seaford Middle School assistant principal, was named Harbor’s principal in July after Donna DeLucia-Troisi retired in June. Now that the academic year is officially underway, he said he’s especially excited about new programs he’s working on launching in the building and getting to know the Harbor community. 

Burke, a 35-year-old North Bellmore resident, has never had to travel far for work. After studying at Molloy College and St. John’s University, the Wantagh native became a fifth-grade teacher at Mandalay. He also taught English and social studies at Wantagh Middle School before he was named the SMS assistant principal three years ago. 

In addition to his familiarity with Seaford and surrounding communities, Burke said that he could also relate to community members because he is a parent. He and his wife, Gina, have three children: Sofie, 6; Liam, 4; and Noah, 10 months. 

Noting that he’s always wanted to work with elementary students, Burke said he’s thrilled to be working with the youngsters at Harbor. “Kindergartners are so excited to be here, while the fifth-graders know that it’s their last year it’s their school,” he said. “They’re like sponges.”

To get to know his new students and their parents, Burke attended PTA meetings and several Harbor events last year. On Aug. 26, he hosted a meet-and-greet alongside Assistant Principal Caroline Schozer; after splitting her time between both of Seaford’s elementary schools, she is now the full-time AP at Harbor thanks to a provision approved last May in the 2016-17 budget. 

Students and parents flocked to the special event, which gave them the opportunity to ask questions in an informal setting. While the adults asked about school supplies and building procedures, Seaford School District officials said the youngsters displayed a range of reactions when meeting their new principal and assistant principal, commenting on his height and having “a boy principal.” 

District leaders said students also filled a suggestion box with slips of paper, stating what they like about Harbor and what they would like to change.“We wanted to provide a way to engage students and to show them that their opinions matter,” Schozer said. “We’re taking baby steps to create a new look and feel to the school.”

Burke and Schozer will also be launching a school-wide, interactive read aloud of the book “One,” by Kathryn Otoshi, as a way to promote a positive school environment for everyone and to foster a love of reading. According to the district, the popular children’s book uses colors as characters that address bullying and standing up for oneself as well as one’s friends.

“Quotes from the book will tie into themes for each month,” Schozer said, “beginning with the first theme: teamwork.”

Burke said he would like read-aloud programs to be conducted monthly this year. He is also working on launching technology initiatives, explaining that he wants to show children and teachers alike how programs like Office 365 can be used as classroom resources. 

Describing them as positive thinking, Burke said he’s fortunate to be working with the Harbor staff. He also praised the south Seaford parents, adding that they’ve built the tight-knit Harbor community. 

“For so many people, if you grew up here, you stay here,” he said. “That says a lot about the pride people take in the community. It’s got a lot of history.”