Introducing Interim Asst. Principal

Mr. Jeffrey Swiatowicz, Principal

Dr. Harry Laub, Interim Assistant Principal - 6th & 7th Grade

Mr. Mike Pompa Assistant Principal - 8th Grade

Before you head off for the long weekend, I invite you to join me in warmly welcoming Dr. Harry Laub back to JJMS as our interim assistant principal for the remainder of the school year. He will be replacing Ms. Graybosch starting when we return from break. He started spending some time with your children yesterday and today.

Dr. Laub previously served in interim positions at JJMS, first in 2019 and again in 2021-2022, and we are grateful to have him back.

Below is a message from Dr. Laub—please take a moment to read it and join me in welcoming him back to JJMS!

In partnership,

Jeffrey S. Swiatowicz

Principal, John Jay Middle School

jswiatowicz@klschools.org

914-763-7502

I am excited to be the incoming interim assistant principal at JJMS. As many of you may know, I have completed two previous stints at JJMS, first in 2019 and again in 2021-2022. As a result, I am familiar with the school’s and district’s values and approaches. I would like to share some of my thoughts, and experiences with you as we get to know each other.

First, some basic beliefs—middle school students thrive and learn best in a supportive and challenging environment. When they are actively engaged in learning their interests grow and develop. One of my favorite questions to be asked in a classroom is, “What do you notice and wonder?” This focuses the children on their own thinking and observations.

Students learn through experiences—but more than the actual experience, talking about it and sharing it with peers and family, creates reflection and helps to create a deeper understanding and move the learning into long term memory. I still remember my own 7th grade, a year in which I became an avid hiker and camper. I would come home from one of our hikes and would talk non-stop about all of the activities and incidents.

Students grow through both structured and unstructured activities. They learn to interact with peers and to navigate through their social groups. This also provides opportunities to problem-solve social situations. This now has become popular under the name of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), but this is something that teachers and schools have been engaged in forever. By focusing on it, we actually work with children so that they develop strategies that will allow them to positively interact with peers.

Now for some of my experience—I began as a teacher and then assistant principal in a New York City Junior High School. After ten years I moved into a NYC district office as a curriculum writer and writing specialist, where I ultimately designed a writing program adopted by schools around the city. I worked with literacy experts from some of the top schools of education to design integrated literacy instruction. This all led to a lifelong passion for teaching children reading and writing skills and strategies. It was during this period of time I was recruited to author the writing section of a fifth-grade language arts textbook for a major publisher. This led me to my doctoral dissertation which focused on teaching writing. Professionally, I have been a curriculum director in districts in New York and New Jersey. I have also been the principal of a K to 5 elementary school and a K to 8 school. I retired in 2018 and since then have served in several interim positions, including two at JJMS, a principalship in Eastchester and another one in Darien. I have also taught ELA and math/science/technology methods courses to graduate students and young teachers. I have also supervised student teachers.

And now for the gossip—I am married, celebrating our 53rd wedding anniversary this past Thanksgiving. We have two adult sons—the older who works in the film industry, the younger one works for the County of Westchester. In our spare time, we love to read and travel.

Some talking points for discussing these changes with your children:

• Let your children know that there is a change of the assistant principal in charge of the 6th and 7th grades.
• The biggest concern that your child will have, “Is how will this affect me?” Reassure your children that this will not change their lives in any way. They will have the same teacher and the same schedule that they have had all year.
• During the first few days, ask your children if they have seen me. Encourage them to say, “Hello.” Ask what they think. I will be around to the classrooms during the first few days.

I am looking forward to working with you, your children and the JJMS staff to ensure that each student achieves at their highest levels. The preteen and teen years are often confusing and a roller coaster of emotions. Please feel free to contact me at any time. In turn, I will reach out to you if any concerns about your child come my way.

Very truly yours,

Harry Laub

Harry Laub, Ph.D.

Interim Assistant Principal