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Finding a way to turn tragedy into a legacy By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
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Tom Carrozza/Herald
HoNoRING THE mEmoRy of Ryan Patrick O’Shea, his family started a foundation to promote suicide prevention, which hosts an annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Lister Park.
mid what many experts have described as a nationwide mental health crisis, the efforts of the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation could be critical. The nonprofit organization, created by the O’Shea family, of Rockville Centre, is named in memory of John and Mary O’Shea’s son, Ryan, a South Side High School graduate and star basketball player who died by suicide in 2019, at age 18. The foundation aims to help fund and promote mental health and suicide prevention programs in school districts across the South Shore. John O’Shea said that the foundation’s Sources of Strength program started at the high school over three years ago, and has continued to expand to include elementary students and neighboring school districts including Oceanside, Freeport and East Rockaway. “It seems the word is getting around about the success of the program,” O’Shea said. Continued on page 4
Schools appoint two new assistant superintendents By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The Rockville Centre Union Free School District recently named two new assistant superintendents. John Murphy, the South Side High School principal and a former International Baccalaureate coordinator, was appointed assistant superintendent for human resources, and Nicole Moriarty, the director of curriculum, instruction, and learning in the Mineola Public Schools, was named assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “We’re at an exciting time in the district’s evolution,” Murphy
told the Herald. Since 1997, he has been a member of both the high school faculty and the administration, serving as an English teacher before becoming I.B. coordinator, assistant principal and principal. “This is my 26th year in the district,” Murphy said. “It’s a new role, but I’m excited about bringing in new ideas and fusing them with an already excellent system.” Superintendent Matthew Gaven described Murphy as the “beating heart” of the high school at the Board of Education meeting on July 20. “Throughout his career,” Gaven said, “Mr.
Murphy’s comprehensive understanding of educational research and instructional practice and his nuanced — and I mean nuanced — mastery of all aspects of secondary education has only been matched by his dedication to the students and families of Rockville Centre. As a high school principal, Murphy sought to develop the conditions for students to actualize their full potential. In his new role, he will seek to do the same by challenging all of our faculty and staff to employ research-based educational practices in the classroom.” The board voted unanimously to approve Murphy’s appoint-
ment, from July 25 through July 24, 2026. “We’re thrilled that you’re filling this new role, and we cannot wait to work with you in this capacity,” board president Kelly Barry told Murphy. Murphy said he hoped to create a healthy learning environment for students and faculty that doesn’t compromise standards, and where kids feel a safe,
healthy sense of belonging. “We’ve always been a high-performing district,” he said. “The future the administration is pining and planning for is one which not only establishes this sense of community, but which builds upon the social contract that is education.” Coming out of the pandemic, Continued on page 10