The Lynbrook Union Free School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Waverly Park Elementary School Principal Allison Banhazl and Lynbrook South Middle School Principal Joseph Wiener, effective July 1. Banhazl will replace current Waverly Park Principal Lucille McAssey who will retire at the end of the 2017-18 school year, while Wiener will replace current South Middle School Principal Caryn Blum, who will also be retiring at the end of the month. 

Banhazl, a Rockville Centre resident, grew up in Merrick and has held the position of assistant principal in the Merrick Union Free School District for the past six years. Prior to her role in Merrick, she was a teaching assistant in the Baldwin Union Free School District while in college and served as a teacher in Brooklyn while working for the New York City Department of Education. 

During her undergraduate career at Loyola University in Maryland, Banhazl majored in elementary education. She continued her studies at Hunter College where she received her master’s degree, along with an advanced certificate from the College of Saint Rose in educational leadership.

“I am excited and honored to join the Lynbrook Union Free School District, which is known far and wide for its dedication to excellence, but more importantly, to children,” she said. “I look forward to being the principal of Waverly Park, a rich and challenging learning community where students thrive and ‘tomorrow begins today!’”

Wiener, a Merrick resident, was as a biology teacher at Benjamin Cardozo High School in Bayside, Queens, for three years. He then taught biology for seven years at Jericho High School and has served as the assistant principal at Jericho Middle School for the past 11 years. 

He comes with a wealth of knowledge, graduating from Tufts University with double majors in biology and English. Wiener also holds a master’s degree in literacy from Long Island University and a master’s degree in school administration and supervision from Touro College.

“I am most looking forward to learning from and learning with staff, students, parents and community members,” he said. 

The district welcomes both new administrators with open arms and looks forward to having them join the Lynbrook family.