JUNE 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 51
SPOTLIGHT LONG ISLAND
EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL
Harborfields Central School
District has been committed to
education excellence since it was
founded in 1956.
Located on the North Shore of
Long Island, 41 miles east of New
York City, the district serves all of
the Centerport community, most
of the Greenlawn community, and
a portion of the unincorporated
section of Huntington.
There are now about 2,900
students enrolled in the district,
whose name was derived from a
combination of the older names
of Centerport (Little Cow Harbor)
and Greenlawn (Old Fields).
We recently interviewed Dr.
Rory J. Manning, who was named
the district’s superintendent in
April after serving as its interim
superintendent starting Jan. 1. He
discussed the school’s mission, how
technology helped it during the
Covid-19 pandemic and more.
What is the mission of Harborfields
Central School District? To provide
an innovative and collaborative
learning environment where all
students are empowered to realize
their unique potential while striving
for academic excellence. We aim to
prepare students for their future
and to equip each child with the
essential tools needed to become
respectful, responsible, resilient,
empathetic, self-assured adults.
Harborfields is committed to
developing lifelong learners with
the intellectual, social and emotional
skills necessary to achieve success
as active citizens within their local
community and in an ever-changing,
diverse global society.
What makes the district unique? I
am currently in my ninth year with
the Harborfields Central School
District. I recall vividly that one of
my first impressions of the district
when I arrived as the principal of
Harborfields High School was how
strongly our community valued its
schools. This was one of the reasons
I fell in love with the community.
I was also overjoyed at the sense
of belonging that our students felt
toward their school.
How long have you been in the field
of education and what was it that
attracted you to it? It is difficult to
believe that I am currently in my
25th year in education. I graduated
from Stony Brook University as a
biochemistry major. During my time
there, I served as an undergraduate
teaching assistant. This was my first
exposure to the teaching profession.
What is your favorite part of
your job? My favorite part of my
job is watching students combine
their personal passion with their
learning to do some incredible
things. I have to acknowledge our
staff for cultivating the interests of
our students and guiding them in
their work to make their passions
come alive.
What impact has the pandemic had
on your district? Most significant
was ensuring that our most needy
students and families were cared
for. I have to thank our food service
workers, our social workers,
counselors, administrators,
community organizations, and all
of our staff that worked tirelessly
to provide for our students.
What role did technology play at
your school before the pandemic
and since the pandemic started?
Through careful strategic planning,
we were able to make significant
enhancements to our network that
enabled us to provide high-speed,
ubiquitous Wi-Fi throughout all
buildings. From there we engaged
in a five-year plan to bring a 1:1
Chromebook device program into
our schools. This work, along with
focused staff development, put us
in a decent position as we entered
the pandemic. We also expanded
our staff development program
and purchased additional software
to support our teaching staff. In
addition, the district was able to
support those students that did not
have adequate internet access in
their homes through partnerships
with local internet service
providers.
What are the main challenges of
your job and your district and how
do you overcome them? The main
long-term challenges are in the
area of fiscal management given the
uncertain nature of state aid yearto
year. We meet these challenges by
implementing long-term strategic
planning in all areas.
Are there any mottos that you
use in your work? The vision that
guides our work is, “Each Child.
Each Day. One Harborfields Family.”
Custom Computer Specialists is
proud to sponsor Spotlight LI. Since
1979, Custom has been dedicated to
providing Long Island’s schools, local
government agencies, healthcare
facilities and businesses with
advanced technology solutions and
support. To learn more about Custom
Computer, or to be considered for a
future Spotlight LI, please email info@
customtech.com.
HARBORFIELDS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT:
Success Begins Here.
Get Started Today!
(800) 598-8989
info@customonline.com
Harborfields Superintendent Dr. Rory J. Manning
/customtech.com
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