Polansky Named High School Principal of the Year

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Polansky

ALBANY, NY (04/08/2010)(readMedia)-- James Polansky, principal of Walt Whitman High School in the South Huntington UFSD, has been selected as the 2010 New York State High School Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given annually to a member of SAANYS who has set the pace, character, and quality of education for the students in his or her school. Nominees are administrators who are committed to students, parents, and the community and have shown exceptional contributions to the educational process.

Polansky has served as an educator for 21 years including 11 years as a school administrator. Walt Whitman is a grade 9-12 suburban school, with a total enrollment of approximately 1,900.

In a statement summarizing his educational philosophy, Polansky said, "When provided with a safe and secure environment, laden with curricular and extracurricular opportunities, all students are clearly capable of reaching their academic and social potential. Any academic program should include quality course curricula and instruction across the disciplines, but should also include firmly established social and emotional learning components." Polansky's dedication, commitment, and ability as a school leader were cited in many letters of reference. Recommendations were received from South Huntington faculty and staff members, fellow administrators, and community members.

In his letter of recommendation, Steven Ramsey, assistant principal at Whitman, spoke about the progress Polansky has made. "When Jim took over, we were on the state's school improvement list. Through Jim's leadership, we are now off the list and have been sited the last two years as a high performing school by the State Education Department. He has done this through his expectations of staff and students alike." He goes on to say how Polansky has encouraged student character development by allowing "students to receive credit for community service, thus teaching them that there is a need, no matter what age, to give back to the community you live in."

Kimberly Latko, a senior member of the English Department at Whitman and a resident of South Huntington, has high praise for Polansky's leadership and support stating, "I look forward to the opportunity to send my own three children to Mr. Polansky's school in a few years. He is a clear advocate for innovative academic training for both students and teachers, thus, he actively supports his teachers' professional development and overall commitment to excellent teaching."

He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from SUNY Albany, an advanced graduate certificate in education administration from SUNY Stony Brook, and credits toward his doctorate from Hofstra University. Polansky is an active member of SAANYS, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and several other professional and community associations.

Polansky will be honored for his accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 7, 2010 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York. As New York's High School Principal of the Year, Polansky is now a candidate for the award of National High School Principal of the Year, an award sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. A principals institute and awards ceremony sponsored by NASSP and MetLife will be held in Washington, DC this fall.

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SAANYS represents more than 7,000 school administrators, supervisors, and coordinators. As a professional association, SAANYS is committed to providing direction, service, and support to its members in their efforts to improve the quality of education and leadership in New York State schools. SAANYS is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.