Fond farewell to South High

Two aspects that drew his attention to the Valley Stream Central High School District was its strong diversity and tradition of academic excellence, said Manuel Urena, now former assistant principal at South High School.

It is an good place to work, he said, adding that South High is a wonderful school that has become a big part of his life during the last two years. Resigning from his post on Oct. 7, Urena found it hard to say farewell.

“It’s a very difficult decision,” he said, “because I feel that in these two years, I have become an integral part of South’s family including not only staff and students, but parents.”

His time at South has been filled with great memories. Urena got to show off his salsa moves at a special charity event organized by South’s Cultural Society just four months into the job. “It was like ‘Dancing with the Stars,’” he said, referring to the popular ABC reality show.

Everyone had a different dance, whether hip-hop, swing or moves with a Brazilian influence, to entertain the crowd at the standing-room only event, “Dancing with the Teachers.” Urena had practiced for days, dancing with another teacher, and that was well worth the effort. “It was amazing,” he said. “It was a time period where the school came together for such a good cause, and I am so happy to have been a part of that.”

But that is not the only thing that brought happiness to Urena. Carrying out his responsibilities and offering moral support to students were also great accomplishments. “With discipline, you develop a good rapport with the students that are at-risk, labeled troubled,” he said, “and you’re ready to help them.”

Urena also began working with teachers to implement web-based instructional programs in their classrooms during his first year. The experience allowed him to help in professional development and use his skills as a former IT technician and technology teacher. Now, he is happy to see that a lot of the teachers have become “techies,” the playful moniker for those who are very technologically-savvy.

He will miss those teachers, along with other faculty members and students. In fact, Urena said he will miss everything, from the “very competent faculty full of great human beings to the students who make South what it is.”

In addition, the memories will last a lifetime and continue to influence his life. “I consider myself a better human being having been at South,” he said. “I have been able to grow in ways I didn’t know.” He has also taken something else to heart — the school’s motto, “Small acts of kindness make a big difference.”

Urena is grateful for his time at South, and thanked the Board of Education, school staff and administrators. “It has been two amazing years,” he said. “I wish them good luck and much success.”

He will become the new assistant principal at Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts in Manhattan. He is excited to work in a new environment focusing on not only academics, but also the performing arts, he said.

Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich wished Urena the best of luck. The Board of Education planned to appoint an interim assistant principal on Tuesday, after the Herald went to press. The board’s goal is to appoint a permanent replacement by the end of November, Heidenreich explained.