Rush-Henrietta CSD

Second-grader Angelica Kafley looked up with eyes wide open as her principal, Dina Stathopoulos, explained they had something important in common. Like the 7-year-old child whose family left Nepal for the United States, the school leader is an immigrant.

Angelica told the principal she dreams of becoming a gymnastics teacher. Dina, who will retire at the conclusion of this school year, acknowledged her personal childhood dream came true. “Serving as principal at Leary Elementary School has been the privilege of a lifetime,” she says.

Dina’s story reflects the power of education and the big impact educators can have on a child’s life. Born in Florina, Greece, she moved to the United States with her family when she was 4 years old. English became her second language, though she proudly maintained her Greek heritage and language along the way — even acing her Greek Regents exam in high school.

Adjusting to a new country and culture, Dina experienced the kindness and support of caring teachers. Those experiences shaped her future. She knew from a young age that she wanted to become a teacher. “Ultimately, I wanted to teach, impact, and support students and families with the same grace and compassion,” she says.

That is exactly what she has done. Dina began her career as an English teacher in Penfield, where she emerged as a respected educator and leader. In 2013, she joined Rush-Henrietta Senior High School as an assistant principal. She became a strong instructional leader known for supporting teachers, students, and families with dedication and compassion.

Dina was appointed principal of Leary Elementary School in 2020. Transitioning to elementary education might intimidate some leaders, but not her. Dina has nurtured a school culture where students feel safe, supported, and cared for each day.

Confident, optimistic, and hardworking, the district always could count on Dina to be invested in the community she served. A district resident for more than 35 years, she is the proud parent of three Rush-Henrietta graduates.

Dina says she enjoys believing in students more than they believe in themselves. That belief has changed lives. Her leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to children have left a lasting and positive mark on children such as Angelica – and thousands of others.

Dina, thank you for your service, leadership, and dedication to the students and families of Rush-Henrietta. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!

R-H Junior Gains Real-World Experience with Henrietta Chamber of Commerce

During the spring semester of his junior year at R-H Senior High School, Jake Militello gained valuable experience through the Career Exploration Internship Program. Serving as the social media manager for the Henrietta Chamber of Commerce, Jake’s goal was to boost engagement and increase traffic across the Chamber’s accounts by highlighting member companies. At the conclusion of his internship, he delivered a final presentation detailing his experience and achievements.

The Career Exploration Internship Program bridges the gap between classroom learning and the real world. By providing unpaid, hands-on experiences, the program gives high school students early exposure to various career paths and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways.

With an emphasis on experiential learning, the program is designed to deepen academic understanding and help students gain a clearer perspective of the professional landscape. Participating students complete a mix of academic assignments and a minimum of 54 internship hours to earn a 1/2 elective credit.

For students looking for a shorter commitment, a job shadowing option is also available. This allows students to gain brief exposure to a field of interest, gather career information, and understand job requirements firsthand through direct observation and interviews with local employers.

Pictured with Jake Militello (center) are Colleen Murphy, Rush-Henrietta’s Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Brendan Tydings, Henrietta Chamber of Commerce Board Member and Administrator of the Genesee Valley Regional Market. High school students interested in exploring an internship or job shadowing opportunity should contact Ms. Murphy at the high school to get started.