A historic day for South Huntington and our youngest learners! New York Governor Kathy Hochul visited our school district on September 2nd to officially cut the ribbon on the brand-new Silas Wood Pre-K Center. During her visit, Governor Hochul spent time in the classroom with our littlest Wildcats, talking with teachers, joining the students in their play spaces, and even sitting down to color.

Afterward, she gathered with district administrators, school board members, local dignitaries, faculty, and staff in the Silas Wood gym to emphasize the critical importance of expanding New York State’s investment in early childhood education. The Governor used her South Huntington visit to announce the expansion of free Pre-K in more than 400 school districts across the state.

In this year’s state budget, Governor Hochul secured a $563 million annual increase in funding for the 2026-27 school year for universal Pre-K, part of a broader $1.7 billion investment in childcare programs for fiscal year 2027. The state plans to make Pre-K universal for 4-year-olds statewide by the start of the 2028-29 school year.

“As New York’s first mom Governor, putting us on the path to statewide universal Pre-K was personal for me,” said Governor Hochul. “And I’m ensuring that we will deliver on that promise.”  

South Huntington moms, who were dropping off their children for their second day of Pre-K prior to the Governor’s speech, were happy that they didn’t have to worry about a lottery system this year. Whitman alum and proud mom of two young sons Kelly Paulson said public school Pre-K lifts a financial burden off her family and that the before-and-after care that is also offered at Silas Wood is so helpful for commuting parents. “It makes logistics easier for my family, and it helps my child get used to the structure of what school will be like in kindergarten, but in a fun and easy way. It's like dipping their toe into the district, and starting to know their schoolmates who they'll have as they go through K through 12. I'm so grateful that this is offered. I know that my son will come out of this more confident, stronger.” 

Another Silas mom, Giovanna Bucino, was invited to speak at the podium during Governor Hochul’s presentation. “I am a very proud mom of three boys in the South Huntington School District. My youngest is attending the Silas Wood Pre-K Center this year, and as a parent, this new school means more to me than I can really put into words. We are incredibly fortunate to have this beautiful new Pre-K center in our community. This building is more than just walls and classrooms. It represents commitment to our children. It says that our youngest learners matter, that their education matters, and that our families matter.” 

The Governor praised South Huntington for creating such a “nurturing, loving environment,” and said “What you can do for our kids when they're that young will make a profound difference in their success later on.” 

“South Huntington is joining the very, very, very small list of schools that house a standalone universal Pre-K center,” said South Huntington school board president, Nicholas Ciappetta. “The purpose of this building has changed several times over the years to meet the district's evolving needs. It's been a 6th grade center most recently, an elementary school K-5, and an early childhood center. Now, it returns to its roots to meet the needs of our youngest Wildcats. Today we are honored to have Governor Hochul with us and to thank her for steadfastly supporting Pre-K education, without which the repurposing of this building and today's event would not at all be possible.”
 

As the former principal of Maplewood Intermediate School, South Huntington Superintendent Dr. Vito D’Elia spoke about the value of early childhood education. “Starting young children on the right foot gives them a strong academic and social foundation, and helping them develop a love for learning from the very first days of school can profoundly influence their entire school career. The experiences created within these classrooms will help establish the confidence and skills that carry our students through elementary school, middle school, high school, graduation, and ultimately into successful adult lives,’ said Dr. D’Elia. 
 

Then, alongside Dr. D’Elia, Mr. Ciappetta, Silas Wood Principal Renee Schumm, and a group of our newest pre-K students, Governor Hochul cut the ribbon to officially open the Silas Wood Pre-K Center. 

Following her Silas Wood visit, the Governor headed to South Huntington’s other new school, the Memorial Sixth Grade Center, to talk about school nutrition. She enjoyed a meal including mac-and-cheese, broccoli, fruit, and chocolate milk with our sixth graders in one of Memorial’s two brand new cafeterias. The Governor reminded our students to make sure they always eat their vegetables by sharing broccoli with them and expressed her gratitude to our outstanding School Nutrition Services team for their dedication to feeding our students. Starting in the 2025–26 school year, all New York State schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, including South Huntington, offer free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of income. 
 

South Huntington extends its sincere thanks to Governor Hochul for visiting our schools, and we wish all of our students, teachers, and families a fantastic, successful school year ahead! 
 

 

 

During her visit, Governor Hochul spent time in the classroom with our littlest Wildcats to join students in their play spaces and even take some time to sit down to color.

 

The Governor used her South Huntington visit to announce the expansion of free Pre-K in more than 400 school districts across the state.

 

Silas Wood mom, Giovanna Bucino, was invited to speak at the podium during Governor Hochul’s presentation.

 

Alongside Dr. D’Elia, Mr. Ciappetta, Silas Wood Principal Renee Schumm, local dignitaries, and a group of our newest pre-K students, Governor Hochul cut the ribbon to officially open the Silas Wood Pre-K Center. 

 

Kathy Hochul, the 57^th and first female governor of New York State, left her signature on the welcome sign created for this special occasion. 

 

 

Following her Silas Wood visit, the Governor headed to Memorial Sixth Grade Center and sat down to speak with students about school nutrition.

 

The Governor headed to the lunch line to express her gratitude to our outstanding School Nutrition Services team for their dedication to feeding our students.