Awards of Excellence

The Suffolk County Organization for the Promotion of Education (SCOPE) has named two representatives from the Fire Island School District as recipients of the 2012 SCOPE Awards of Educational Excellence. These two members of the Fire Island school community were among a group of educators, support staff, and volunteers from throughout Suffolk County that were honored at the SCOPE Educational Excellence Awards ceremony held at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook.

Fire Island Board of Education President Jay Lippert is a recipient of the SCOPE School Board Service Award. Mr. Lippert has been a member of the Fire Island Board of Education since 1998 and in that period of time has held the office of trustee, vice president, and his current position of president. “Mr. Lippert has consistently taken an active role in leadership and district stewardship,” wrote Superintendent of Schools Loretta Ferraro in her letter of nomination. “He advocates for and supports continuous professional development not only for staff but for the Board as well, working with NYSSBA to custom tailor an annual daylong workshop aimed at education and Board effectiveness.”

Woodhull School teacher Philip Tamberino is the recipient of the SCOPE Teacher Service Award. Mr. Tamberino has been a music teacher at the Woodhull School in Fire Island since 2006 and during that time has expanded and improved the music program significantly. He has increased the variety and uniqueness of instrumental offerings, as Fire Island is one of the only districts offering ukulele instruction as part of its second-grade curriculum. “Mr. Tamberino is an excellent teacher who demonstrates a passion for his practice, commitment to his students, and dedication to his district,” remarked Ms. Ferraro.

click on image to view full size