Mastic Beach, NY - September 12, 2014 - The William Floyd High School Business Academy has once again been chosen as the New York State Region I (Nassau and Suffolk) Business and Marketing Education Department of the Year by the New York State Education Department and the Business Teachers Association of New York State (BTANYS). This is the fourth time the William Floyd Business Academy has been chosen for this award with the previous honor coming in 2010. The department was recognized at the annual BTANYS conference held this past summer in New York City.

The William Floyd Business Academy, consisting of nine teachers with an enrollment of 2,382 students, was acknowledged for its efforts and success in developing and providing a rigorous, relevant and interdisciplinary program for high school students in business and marketing education. The department offers a comprehensive program of challenging courses in career- and college-preparation and technological literacy enriched with a variety of extracurricular activities.

“The Business Academy has proven time and again – as evidenced by earning this accolade for the fourth time – to be among the top business education departments in New York State,” said Dr. Paul Casciano, Superintendent of Schools, William Floyd School District. “As a district, we take great pride in this accomplishment and know that our students are gaining important skills that will help them throughout their lives.”

Barbara Butler, Principal, William Floyd High School, added, “This award is a culmination of all the hard work and dedication that the members of the Business Academy have put forth in helping our students become career and college ready. Our students are learning the skills that lead to success in a globally competitive environment.”

Course offerings, which run the gamut from accounting, business ownership/management, business law, marketing (fashion/entertainment/sports), career portfolio, money management, virtual enterprise (VE) and more, are designed to prepare students for post-secondary education and/or entry-level employment in the workforce. Students have the opportunity to take the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) exam for VE which gives them a leg up in developing a range of academic, business, technological and professional skills that prepare them for future success. They can also graduate with endorsements in accounting and/or VE/Small Business Management.

Additionally, William Floyd is the only Long Island school to offer four sections of VE and integrate the Career and Technical Education (CTE) component with two new classes designed around the Cosmetology and Culinary programs. Karen Poidomani, a business teacher at William Floyd High School, believes that it’s that type of forward and collaborative thinking that continually places the William Floyd Business Academy among the top of its field.

When developing the Culinary and Cosmetology collaborations, the business teachers found that many of the students were at first apprehensive about taking the VE course, noted Poidomani. “The students were soon convinced that VE was one of the best courses that they have taken throughout their high school careers and from that many have decided to pursue a business major with the goal of one day opening their own bakery, restaurant or salon,” she said.

The William Floyd Business Academy also offers students the opportunity to earn dual credits at Farmingdale State University for business law, college accounting, computer applications, fashion marketing and more. They can also participate in extra-curricular activities such as the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) where students attend business-related competitions to sharpen their skills in accounting, business law, marketing, public speaking and more. Last school year, eight William Floyd students placed in the top three in the FBLA New York State Regional Competition and one even qualified for the prestigious FBLA Nationals held in Nashville, Tennessee.

Members of the William Floyd High School Business Academy include Lee Cillo, Korin Cloghessy, Jackie Giacalone, Chris Hoagland, Greg Plantier, Karen Poidomani, Amy Roethgen, James Rugolo and Allison Wiegand.

Pictured: Members of the William Floyd Business Academy are pictured with their award from left to right: Chris Hoagland, Allison Wiegand, Karen Poidomani, Jackie Giacalone, Greg Plantier, Amy Roethgen, Lee Cillo, Korin Cloghessy and James Rugolo.