Principal Chosen for Riverhead High School

(July 1, 2005) Mr. James J. Mc Caffrey, the first principal of the new Eastport/South Manor Jr./Sr. High School and the principal at Half Hollow Hills High School East for 20 years, is the new principal at RHS.

Mr. Mc Caffrey started his career teaching social studies in the Half Hollow Hills School District. He received both his bachelors and masters degrees from Hofstra University and a second masters degree from SUNY Stony Brook. He concluded his career as the principal at Half Hollow Hills High School East, and then a month after retiring was hired by Eastport/South Manor High School, where he served as principal for two years.

In addition to being a principal, Mr. Mc Caffrey has also taught seminars to graduate students at several area colleges.

Mr. Mc Caffrey has been the recipient of many honors. He received the Suffolk County Administrator of the Year award. The Half Hollow Hills School District dedicated an auditorium in his name. Most recently, Eastport/South Manor created a James J. Mc Caffrey Scholarship.

"We are very fortunate to have him on our administrative staff," states Assistant Superintendent Nancy Carney. "He's a veteran administrator and his expertise is very welcome."

A resident of Miller Place, Mr. Mc Caffrey’s entire family consists of educators. His wife, Joan, retired after 34 years of teaching social studies in Half Hollow Hills and Miller Place School Districts; his son John is a social studies teacher and head varsity basketball coach at Deer Park High School; his daughter-in-law Paula is a social studies teacher at Deer Park High School, and his daughter Jennifer is a guidance counselor at Oldfield Middle School.