Feeling right at home in Levittown

MacArthur High School has a true community feel, notes new Assistant Principal Michael Scaduto, and that’s what brought him to his new post.

Scaduto takes over the position formerly held by Joseph Sheehan, who became MacArthur’s principal at the beginning of the summer. The two, along with Assistant Principal Anne Rao, will form this year’s administrative team at the Levittown School District’s southern high school.

“They’re incredible,” Scaduto said of his fellow administrators. “They couldn’t be more supportive and helpful.”

After growing up in Staten Island, Scaduto came to Long Island when he was 17 to study business computer information systems at Hofstra University. He later decided to enter education and became a phys. ed. teacher at August Martin High School in Queens, and also served as a dean.

He later was a phys. ed. teacher at the High School for Construction Trades, Engineering and Architecture in Queens, followed by a four-year stint as assistant principal there. MacArthur is the latest stop in his education career.

“I wanted to work on the Island,” the North Bellmore resident said. “I wanted that community feel. I think that’s something that’s really hard to get in New York City.”

MacArthur, which pulls students from Wantagh, Seaford and Levittown, is steeped in tradition, Scaduto noted. He is ready to experience one of those great traditions when he attends Homecoming on Sept. 26. A former high school athlete himself, Scaduto also plans to attend many Generals sporting events throughout the year.

“We consider ourselves fortunate to welcome Mr. Scaduto to the Levittown family,” Superintendent Dr. Tonie McDonald said. “We believe he is a great fit for MacArthur and look forward to working with him for many years to come.”

Scaduto’s primary responsibility will be dealing with discipline, and he will also handle attendance and teacher observations. As a disciplinarian, Scaduto says he is a no-nonsense guy. “I’m definitely firm,” he said. “I’d like students to know that from the get go. But at the same time, I’m fair.”

Scaduto said he doesn’t want his interactions with students to be limited to just doling out discipline. If anything, he wants students to think of him as someone they can turn to for support and guidance.

To achieve that, Scaduto said he plans to spend a lot of time out of his office and visible in the hallways and cafeterias, and greeting students and parents in the morning. He said building positive relationships with all members of the MacArthur community is his primary goal.

Since Scaduto started right before the school year began, many teachers were in and out of the building. He said that many made an effort to drop by his office and welcome him to the school. “Every person has told me how much I’m going to love it here,” he said.

Scaduto said he is glad to be in a place where everyone works as a team, and where they take pride in their school.