On August 31, Mineola Public Schools officially launched the new school year with its annual Superintendent’s Day address, gathering educators, support personnel and district leaders around a single, shared purpose: creating an environment where every student and adult can thrive.

The morning program opened with remarks from Board of Education President Cheryl Lampasona and featured a keynote address from Interim Superintendent of Schools Catherine Fishman.

"Children Experience People, Not Organizational Charts"

Addressing staff across all departments—including teachers, therapists, custodians, bus drivers, clerical personnel and cafeteria workers—Interim Superintendent Catherine Fishman underscored that every role directly impacts the daily lives of Mineola’s students.

"Children do not experience organizational charts," Fishman shared. "They don't know who reports to who, and they certainly don't care what our titles are. They experience people—the adult who greets them in the morning, the adult who teaches them, the adult who encourages them and the adult who notices when something is not quite right."

The district also introduced three key additions to its leadership team: Diane Castonguay (Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations), Daniel Gigliobianco (Supervisor of Special Education), and Melissa Fusco (Middle School Assistant Principal).

Balancing Technology with the Human Experience

A central focus of the address was how schools must adapt as artificial intelligence transforms how students work and learn. While AI can analyze and generate content in seconds, Fishman stressed that core human elements—critical thinking, safety, relationships, curiosity and belonging—remain irreplaceable.

To prepare students for this landscape, Mineola is aligning its existing work in Visible Learning, fine arts, literacy and career pathways with New York State's "Portrait of a Graduate" framework. Fishman noted that this portrait is shaped daily by every adult a student encounters—from the bus driver’s morning greeting to a coach building resilience on the field.

Shared Purpose, Strategic Focus and Leadership

To achieve these vision-driven goals, building-level plans were co-created over the summer through close collaboration between principals, teachers and the Board of Education. Fishman emphasized that the district's work is driven by one clear, connected plan where every goal is relevant, measurable and directly tied to student outcomes. Mineola is maintaining the discipline to stay focused on what matters most, ensuring that both the "what" and the "why" behind every initiative are clearly communicated to staff and families.

Addressing the Board of Education’s ongoing search for a permanent superintendent (with an appointment anticipated by January), Fishman reassured the district that progress will continue without interruption.

"Nothing is on hold," Fishman affirmed. "For as long as I have the privilege of serving as your superintendent, I will fully be your superintendent."

A Musical Send-Off

The event closed on a high-energy note with a live performance by the Mineola Mustangs Marching Band. The student musicians took the stage to perform a featured selection from their upcoming show, Grim, sending staff off to their classrooms with momentum and excitement for the year ahead.