Brentwood UFSD honored with NYSSBA 'Champions of Change'; students, PTA leaders recognized
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Summary
The Brentwood Union Free School District received the New York State School Boards Association 'Champions of Change' award for bilingual arts programming; the board also presented student winners of the Shanti Peace Art calendar and acknowledged regional PTA honors and teacher certifications.
Kathy Romano, Area 12 director for the New York State School Boards Association and a trustee at Eastern Suffolk BOCES, presented the NYSSBA 'Champions of Change' recognition to the Brentwood Union Free School District on Jan. 15, 2026, citing the district's commitment to arts programming that integrates Spanish-language theater.
"So the Champions of Change is really a program that NYSSBA put together a couple of years ago to really highlight the positive programming and the innovative programming that's being done in districts," Romano said during the board meeting, explaining that the award committee reviewed media and nominations from the region.
The board recognized student winners whose artwork was selected for the 2026 Shanti Peace Art calendar: Annabelle (East Middle School, grade 8), Saeed Jordan Romero (East Middle School, grade 6) and Rachel Rodriguez (Brentwood High School, grade 10). Certificates and photographs were presented at the meeting.
The board also highlighted local PTA achievements: Cherise Sibley received the Suffolk Region PTA Peg Davis Leadership Award, and the Frank J. Cannon Southeast Elementary School PTA was awarded a DEI New York State Award for its multicultural outreach and programming, including recent multicultural nights, bilingual story times, murals and community activities. The assistant superintendent noted that the awards recognize leaders who strengthen schools and families across the Suffolk Region.
Administrators described district instructional initiatives praised by presenters. Dr. Grella and Ann Marie Madsen of the Office of Science and Technology described Project Grow (an indoor farm and tower-garden program), a farm-to-table collaboration with the district’s meal service, planetarium field trips for fifth graders (sponsored by the Reichardt family), expanded LEGO League programming and plans to broaden CTE pathways including agribusiness and a Future Farmers of America program.
The board and administrators emphasized that these programs support vertically aligned, project-based learning and help connect elementary, middle and high school students to real-world skills.
The board adjourned after completing recognitions and routine business. The district announced upcoming budget workshops on Jan. 22 and Feb. 5, 2026, and the next regular business meeting on Feb. 25, 2026.