Legislator Steven J. Flotteron recognized this year’s PAWS, the Education Foundation Partners Advancing West Islip Students Education and Community Award recipients, Jeanne Dowling and John Raimondi, at the Annual Gala held at Captain Bill’s in Bay Shore.
Ms. Dowling is an Administrator with West Islip School District whose accomplishments include creating grade level special classes throughout the district, establishing community partnerships with local businesses, developing processes for accurate reflection of assessing students in West Islip.
She has been an active member of various professional organizations including serving as Secretary to both WI Association of School Administrators and Special Education Administrators of Suffolk, and since 2006, an advisor to West Islip’s SEPTA. She prides herself on her strong work ethic and her proven dedication to the needs of the special learners in the West Islip community.
Mr. Raimondi has been a business owner since 1995 with ventures such as Café Europa in West Islip; Europa Wine and Liquors and Brunello’s Pizza and Pasta in West Babylon. He returned to West Islip in 2012, opening Our Little Italy Pizza & Pasta with partner Jason Freda. He decided to bring a local feel into the store, displaying West Islip school athletic jerseys and photos of student activities. He has been a strong community supporter of events such as Soccer Tournaments, Little League, 5K Runs, Booster Clubs and families in need. He is active with WI Breast Cancer Coalition and SEPTA, receiving the Founders Day and the Nick La Giglia Service Awards and most recently was recognized as one of the recipients of the Town of Islip Business of the Year Award.
PAWS is a not-for-profit organization completely run by West Islip neighbors. Through its volunteer efforts, PAWS uses private funding to assist the district in providing a robust learning atmosphere for its students. For more information, email wi.paws@wi.k12.ny.us.