Shown in the photo with Principal Anna Guardino, left to right, are Amityville residents, Timothy Distler, seventh grade; Natalie Distler, fifth grade; Stephan Krompier, first grade and Michael Distler, second grade. Sept. 3 was "back to school" for the 600 plus students of St. William the Abbot School (SWS) in Seaford. As is the tradition at St. William the children were greeted by Principal, Anna Guardino and Assistant Principal, Margaret Grimaldi as well as the entire faculty as they came off the buses to begin an exciting year. The excitement of the first day is always wonderful! The children are greeting their old and new pals and their teachers while sharing stories of the summer.

The school's faith theme this year is For Everything There is a Season and a Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven. The traditional opening mass was celebrated to mark the start of the new school year. St. William School welcomed two new members to the faculty this year. Stephen Harth teaches in grades seven and eight and Francine Krowiak is a new kindergarten aide. Harth grew up in Wantagh and taught in St. Andrew Avellino in Flushing and at Our Lady of Lourdes in Malverne prior to joining the St. William faculty.

Shown in the photo, left to right, are Massapequa residents Brendan Dempsey , second grade; Ryan Dempsey, fourth grade; Marina Gilmartin, first grade and Tim Gilmartin, fifth grade. Back to School Night for parents was held on Sept. 9. The welcome by Principal Anna Guardino began with thanks to the parents for trusting the education of their children to St. William's. Guardino reviewed the many initiatives for this year. A brief prayer service, the same that begins each child's day at St. William, was held. Parents then had the chance to go to the classrooms to meet their child's teacher and discuss the upcoming academic year.