Freeport High School’s Performing Arts Center was filled with excitement and enthusiasm as teachers and staff were welcomed back to the 2023-2024 school year during the district’s annual Superintendent’s Conference Day on Aug. 30.
Opening the first day for teachers and staff, was Freeport’s JROTC with the presentation of colors followed by an impressive performance by Freeport High School’s dance team to a medley of Michael Jackson’s most famous songs including, “Beat it,” “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough,” and “Smooth Criminal” which featured hip-hop, jazz, modern, and ballet dance styles.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kishore Kuncham energetically welcomed those in attendance. “Welcome back! Together we are going to have an amazingly great school year!,” Dr. Kuncham said. “As we come together today, the energy that we bring with us into a new school year allows us to be unstoppable. So, it is with gratitude and admiration reflecting on the incredible dedication and passion that you bring to our educational community that I say, there is no challenge too difficult because we will work together. Regardless of the unexpected, the sense of excitement and the anticipation of a new school year remains the same— to welcome our students, to see their happy and smiling faces and to ensure their success in all aspects of their education at Freeport.”
Board of Education President, Maria Jordan-Awalom, addressed the audience and instilled in them the importance of their profession as teachers, “Today as we start a new school year, I would like to remind you of how important you are to our district. You are committed individuals who took on the role to educate, guide, challenge and spark a light into our children. You have committed to building the leaders of tomorrow and you play a huge part in shaping the world. As teachers you make children feel heard, powerful, smart, loved, talented, you make them want to reach for the stars. It is always you, our educators, our staff, our administrators who hold it together for our students, their families and the community. You help set the stage for success,” said Jordan-Awalom.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kishore Kuncham addressed those in attendance again. “Today I remind you to be the changemakers and transcend to new heights, every day, every moment. We are on this journey to rising above and going beyond the limits, to ensure the success of our students and our district.”
He then shared some of the successes from the past school year, “For the sixth consecutive year, Freeport Schools has been recognized nationally as one of the best communities for music education and over 90% of our students scored a 3 or above on the Spanish AP exam. In athletics, we have 197 New York state scholar-athletes, who have won two county championships, four conference championships and our graduation rate continues to soar. We are moving forward and upward, and we will continue to do so with your dedication.”
In closing the conference, Dr. Kuncham encouraged all the staff to continue to rise to new heights and celebrate all the wonderful things they accomplish each day. He was then surprised by a flash mob that filled the stage and the aisles of the auditorium with district administrators, teachers and staff as they danced to Cool and The Gang’s “Celebrate.”
Freeport Public Schools welcomes back the teachers and staff as they prepare for the first day of school on Sept. 5.