New faces welcome Saw Mill students

Saw Mill Road Elementary School’s principal and assistant principal had something in common with the kindergartners who started their academic year last week: they’re new to the school too.

After what district officials described as extensive searches to fill the two administrative vacancies, Principal Jeffrey Rosof and Assistant Principal Denise Fisher began working at North Bellmore’s largest school this summer. The pair said they look forward to building on past academic successes.

After the district received 50 to 60 resumes for the principal’s position, and interviews were conducted, Rosof was appointed to the job on July 10. He then joined the search process for the assistant principal, one that led to Fisher’s hiring.

Rosof assumed his post on Aug. 5, while Fisher started on Aug. 12. Rosof said they began working well together right away.

“People have made comments about how we seem to have a good rapport and energy,” he said. “I certainly get the sense from Denise that us being on the same page and working together is one of those things that will make that transition with the new administration go smoothly.”

Rosof came to North Bellmore from Westchester, where he served as assistant principal of Westlake Middle School in the Mount Pleasant Central School District. He said he has worked with students of different ages and in different places during his time as an educator.

The Teach for America program propelled Rosof’s education career, as he taught kindergarten for three years through the program 20 years ago in Trenton, N.J. He then went overseas, teaching kindergarten at the Casablana American School in Morocco.

Three years later, Rosof returned to his native Westchester, teaching kindergarten and fourth grade in the Hastings-on-Hudson Union Free School District. He then became the district’s technology director before moving to Westlake.