Community Collaboration Yields Regional and State Best Practice Awards

As a result of collaboration and a “true partnership” between the Amityville Union Free School District and Mr. Nick Villani of Career and Employment Options (CEO) Inc., the New York State Rehabilitation Association (NYSRA) recognized Amityville Memorial High School (AMHS) and CEO with the Quality Effective Systems Transition Award. AMHS was the only state level recipient of this prestigious award, which recognizes the commitment of the district and CEO in assisting all students of AMHS as they leave high school and pursue post-secondary education or a vocation. Mr. Villani and CEO work with Patty Hausfeld, Director of the high school guidance department, and the rest of the guidance staff to coordinate internships, job shadowing, technical training, and a host of other opportunities for AMHS students. “This partnership helps so many of our graduates get a head start as they move on from high school,” stated AMHS Principal Dr. Scott Andrews.

The success of this School-Business Partnership motivated Andrews to nominate Ms. Hausfeld and her colleagues as a model guidance department when the Western Suffolk Counselor’s Association (WSCA) solicited high schools for Best Practices. “I was so pleased to nominate Ms. Hausfeld and her Amityville School-Business Partnership,” Dr. Williams stated. Criteria for the award included a model program that could be easily replicated by other school districts. Dr. Andrews announced at a recent Board of Education meeting that the Amityville School-Business Partnership won the Best Practices Award for 2007 from WSCA. The district extends its congratulations to Mr. Villani, Ms. Hausfeld and the AMHS guidance staff for their recognitions on a regional and state level.

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