New Transportation Director For SH Schools

The Southampton school district elevated one of its own, Samantha Saw, to director of transportation. She officially started her new role August. 7.

“Ms. Saw is truly deserving of this position,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicholas Dyno. “She has shown her dedication to the district and its students as she has risen through the ranks of our transportation department.”

Saw began working with the district in 2004 as a school bus driver. She served in that capacity until 2015, when she was promoted to dispatcher. In that role, she worked alongside the district’s 40 drivers, oversaw routes and the district’s fleet fueling and mechanics’ work orders, assigned bus routes, and managed field trip coverage.

Before joining Southampton, she had also worked in patient financial services at Southampton Hospital and served as a financial assistant for Prudential-Bache Securities. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Long Island University’s former Southampton campus.

“I am thrilled to have accepted this new position,” Saw said. “I plan to continue to keep the department working as efficiently as possible and to always look to recognize the good work of our dynamic staff.”

Southampton High School has a new aquarist on staff as part of its marine sciences program. Rachael Patane, of Holbrook, comes with a wealth of experience that she will use to oversee the school’s 2600-square-foot lab featuring a greenhouse, algae culture room, and 30 species of fish.

“I am extremely honored to have this opportunity to work in Southampton and share my passion and experience in the marine environment with the students,” said Patane. “I hope to achieve many ‘firsts’ in aquaculture with the students and bring a new focus on cephalopods to the
curriculum.”

Prior to taking the position with Southampton, Patane was a shellfish field technician with Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County. In that role, she conducted field work focusing on shellfish husbandry. Her career also included work as the primary aquarist for the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, where she was in charge of the facility’s largest exhibits, including the shark tanks.

For more information on Pantane and her vision for the future of the marine sciences program read “Southampton School District Hires Aquarist.”

Bridgehampton

Bridgehampton High School junior Nick Saunders took his passion for the nation’s Armed Forces to another level, when he far surpassed a fundraising goal of $125 for his participation in the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride — a 25-mile bike ride that began at Amagansett Farm and threaded through the scenic roads of the East End — donating just under $2400 to the cause.

Bridgehampton sixth-grader William Barletta started the school year on a compassionate note when he saw a fellow student sitting alone at lunchtime, and decided to sit with him. “It is always these small heart-warming stories that inspire our students to help make a positive difference in our school culture,” Principal Michael Miller said. “We commend William for his simple yet generous actions.”

Tuckahoe

On Friday September 6, Tuckahoe’s sixth to eighth-grade students were invited to Southampton High School to view several short films presented by Mountainfilm, a documentary film festival that showcases nonfiction stories about environmental, cultural, political, and social justice issues. The presentation was geared toward middle school students and aims to inspire audiences to action.

Hampton Bays

In recognition of their exceptional achievement on national Advanced Placement exams, 13 Hampton Bays High School seniors have earned Advanced Placement scholar awards. Six of those students — Melissa Barreto, Jacob Helfand, Julia Heming, Marissa Kennedy, Sarah Oh, and Diana Ramirez — were named AP Scholars. Gabrielle Caine, Lily Candelaria, Dylan Fotopoulos, Ian Hubbard, Skye McMorris, and Riley Stotzky earned AP Scholar with Honor, and Alexander Rojas was recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction.

desiree@indyeastend.com