Carissa Hajdasz Named Principal of Lloyd Harbor School

By Niall Fitzgerald

After a months-long and extensive search process, the Cold Spring Harbor Board of Education announced that the current Assistant Principal of the Cold Spring Harbor Junior/Senior High School, Carissa Hajdusz, will be appointed the new Principal of the Lloyd Harbor Elementary School.

Hajdusz (pronounced "Hi-Diss") took over as Assistant Principal only last September.

Hajdasz holds a BS in Biology from Syracuse University and an MS in Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling from SUNY Plattsburgh.

She began her career in education as a school counselor at Sauquoit Valley High School near Utica in uipstate New York.  During her eight years as a high school counselor, Hajdasz led the Freshman Seminar course curriculum development and spearheaded events connected to social-emotional learning, directed the Handshakes college scholarship/mentor program that paired high school students with elementary mentees, and successfully implemented a district-wide comprehensive guidance program.

Hajdasz then served the Whitesboro Central School District - also in the Utica area - as a grades 6-8 assistant principal. She saw her students and staff through the pandemic, and was instrumental in developing programs to address learning loss and educational enrichment.

“Thank you for the warm welcome to Cold Spring Harbor," Hajdusz said last fall upon being hired by Cold Spring Harbor Schools. "I know I have landed in a special district and I am truly honored to be here at Cold Spring Harbor."