(JULY 2022)—The Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen recently announced the appointment of Dr. Ruth Peets-Butcher as the new principal of Wheeler Avenue School. The Board of Education appointed Dr. Peets-Butcher on Wednesday, July 13. She will succeed Dr. John Frias who recently accepted a position at Eastern Suffolk Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
“We are incredibly excited that Dr. Peets-Butcher will be Wheeler Avenue’s principal,” said Dr. Judith LaRocca, Superintendent of Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen Schools. “I know that Dr. Peets-Butcher is the perfect candidate for this position. She brings 19 years of experience in education, and her passion and dedication to her students will be a great asset to Wheeler Avenue.”
Prior to her appointment as principal of Wheeler Avenue School, Dr. Peets-Butcher worked in the District for six years as a classroom teacher and was the summer school principal for three years. Before working in Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen, Dr. Peets-Butcher was the Elementary Chief Education Officer at the Roosevelt Children’s Academy Charter School from 2015 to 2016. Dr. Peets-Butcher also spent several years as principal at Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School.
During her time as a teacher at Wheeler Avenue Elementary School, Dr. Peets-Butcher created a collaborative learning environment with students of diverse backgrounds while building an atmosphere of respect and rapport. As a summer school principal, she supervised and managed all summer academic and recreational programming, provided leadership and support to onsite counselors, and monitored the summer school budget. Dr. Peets-Butcher was also responsible for the summer recreation staff’s recruitment, screening, hiring, and assignment.
Dr. Peets-Butcher obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Science in Elementary Education with Distinction, Certificate of Advanced Studies School Building Leader/School District Leader, and Doctor of Education Educational and Policy Leadership from Hofstra University.
“I am honored to serve as the new Wheeler Avenue Elementary School principal,” said Dr. Peets-Butcher. “I look forward to working with our teachers, students, and parents during the coming year to build and strengthen a strong connection within the Wheeler Avenue Elementary School community!”