Dr. Bennardo has meant so much to so many—for those who would like to address a letter to Dr. Bennardo, please submit your communication to Laura McLean at: lmclean@shufsd.org

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Dear Dr Bennardo, a.k.a "Dave",

As you leave our school district family, I wanted to add my voice to the chorus of South Huntington well wishers who will remember you fondly and cheer you on to your next challenge.

What a rollercoaster nine years it has been! I'm remembering Hurricane Sandy, massive, multiple snowstorms that closed the district, a quickly changing social landscape,- and then-of course, COVID 19 and all that it has entailed.

Whew! And you handled everything- and everyone- with patience and grace. I thank you for that, and for cheerleading us through it all !

I wish you good health, true happiness, and much success in your future endeavors.

With appreciation,

Bettina Wright SMS

Special Education TA

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Dear Dr. Bennardo,

It has been a true pleasure to work under your leadership for the past nine years. Your annual Christmas cards and handwritten birthday notes were greatly appreciated and created a sense of family. Your humble nature made you very approachable and your eagerness to aid others is exemplary. Your guidance in this district is highly admirable and will never be forgotten. I wish you the ultimate happiness and continued success in your future endeavors!

Respectfully,

Robyn Mennella

ENL Teacher

Oakwood Primary Center

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Dr. Bennardo,

You may or may not remember this, but back in 2016 I reached out to you about graduation. The ruling had been that staff could give diplomas to their graduates. A stipulation to that rule was, if it rained and graduation was indoors they were not able to do so. I had asked around and never got a concrete answer. So, knowing how approachable and understanding you are, I decided to pose the question to you, I did so and you asked for time to look into the matter. Within 24 hours, I received an email, something like this...."Mrs. Gallagher, rain or shine you will be giving Megan her diploma". This message could not have come at a better time, shortly after my email to you, Megan was hospitalized with a serious infection. When she heard of your response, her spirits were lifted and she came home the next day. I awarded her diploma on a beautiful sunny day. No matter what, I knew I would be able to do that. Having worked with her for 11 years in this district, giving her the diploma was the culmination of many-many accomplishments for both her and myself.

Along with a zillion other things, I will be so grateful to you for this. The way you handle my issue is the way you handle each and every issue that is brought your way. The district is going to miss you more than you will ever know. Being a resident of Huntington, I am so happy knowing you will be working for all the families in this wonderful town ( I grew up here and really never left). I wish you good luck in all your future endeavors (luck you do not need....cause you got this), and I thank you from the bottom of my heart as a parent of a SH graduate and an employee in the district.

God Bless you, and your most-supportive family...

Kelly Gallagher

Teaching Assistant

Maplewood

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Thank you, Dr. Bennardo for your dedicated years of service to South Huntington. Your abilities in leading the district with just the right balance of professionalism and down-to-earth qualities were appreciated. Communication from you, whether to the staff or to the entire district, was consistently clear and informative (yes, Mrs. Bennardo, long, at times!) but always necessary and appreciated. (That rewind button on the answering machine was a blessing especially during COVID, should the listener have needed to pause the message to either talk with a family member or concentrate on a complicated dinner recipe! )

Wishing you the very best as you continue to reach beyond and likely serve – all in the most fulfilling of ways.

Sincerely,

Linda Ude

Birchwood

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