The Sachem Central School District is proud to announce the recent appointment of Thomas Lipani Jr. as the new principal of Grundy Avenue Elementary School, effective July 1, replacing Laura Amato, who will be retiring at the conclusion of the 2019-2020 school year.

Mr. Lipani currently serves as the assistant principal of Sawmill Intermediate School in the Commack School District, where he has held the position for the past year. During his time in Commack, he chaired the In-School Support Team with the goal of evaluating academic performance and social relationships to identify struggling students and provide additional student support. Additionally, Mr. Lipani led biweekly curriculum discussions, chaired committees to determine necessary accommodations for students with academic or medical needs and co-chaired the School Building Management Team, as well as organized a health and wellness day.

Prior to his time at Sawmill Intermediate School, Mr. Lipani was an elementary classroom teacher in the Sachem Central School District for 15 years, a principal’s aide for three years and the assistant supervisor for the Sachem Extended School Year Program for two years.

“I consider myself both blessed and humbled to be given the responsibility of serving the Sachem family as principal of Grundy Avenue Elementary School,” Mr. Lipani said. “As a Sachem graduate and a classroom teacher at Wenonah Elementary School for 15 years, I understand what a fantastic and hardworking community this is. I will do my best to continue the great traditions built at Grundy and work collaboratively with staff and families to provide the highest quality, student-centered education that is focused on the whole child.”

Mr. Lipani holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and special education from Dowling College, a Master of Arts degree from Stony Brook University and an advanced certificate in educational leadership from LIU Post.