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Health & Physical Education

Address: 350 Old Post Road, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Phone: (631) 791-4441
Fax: (631) 476-4403

Mr. Adam Sherrard, Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Nursing
Mrs. Cathy Hoffman, Secretary for Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Nursing

Port Jefferson Wrestling Apparel Store

Mission Statement

The mission of the Port Jefferson Physical Education and Health department is to empower all students to sustain regular, lifelong physical activity as a foundation for a healthy, productive and fulfilling life. This is done through the acquisition of knowledge and skills that are the foundation for engaging in physical activity.

Physical and Health education are sequential educational programs. They are based on physical activities undertaken in an active, caring, supportive and nonthreatening atmosphere in which every student is challenged and successful.

 

Meet the Teachers

Click on a teacher's name to send them an email.

Ben Bajus

Mr. Bajus is in his thirteen year teaching physical education and health here at Port Jefferson. He is currently teaching Prek Physical Education and Social Emotional Learning to all students in grades K-12.Mr. Bajus received his undergraduate degree in Physical Education and masters degree in Health Education from SUNY Cortland. Before coming to Port Jefferson Mr. Bajus worked as an adapted physical education specialist for Charles County Public Schools in Maryland. His responsibilities included training teachers and staff district wide in best practices for providing adapted PE services to students with disabilities. While there, he coached varsity soccer and was a district coordinator for Interscholastic Unified Sports, a division of Special Olympics Maryland. Mr. Bajus has also coached track & field and alpine skiing.

 

Dinarae Camarda

Mrs. Camarda has been teaching health and physical education for fourteen years with the Port Jefferson School District. Before coming to Port Jefferson, Dinarae Camarda taught health in the Northport School District. Mrs. Camarda graduated from C.W. Post as a dual major, majoring in health and physical education. She was the recipient of the “2006 Outstanding Physical Education Major” of the year award. Dinarae graduated with high honors and continued at Stony Brook University earning her Masters Degree in continuing education. As a lifelong advocate of health and wellness, Mrs. Camarda developed the fitness based PE elective – WellFit. This course gives students an alternative to general physical education class. It is her passion to positively influence her students to achieve and maintain an active involvement in their personal fitness. Mrs. Camarda has served as Dean of Students from 2012 to 2014 as well as coached JV girls soccer, JV girls volleyball and Varsity girls track. As the current GSA advisor, Mrs. Camarda has been instrumental in both advocating for all students and helping to write the district’s policy on transgender students’ rights. She has also served on various committees including the district’s wellness committee, character education committee and served as a “Sources of Strength” facilitator. Mrs. Camarda currently runs the Yoga Club, After School Fitness Center in the winter and coaches middle school girls spring track.  Dinarae Camarda prides herself on being available to all students. Whether sharing health, wellness or fitness information, lending a helping hand or a listening ear, Mrs. Camarda’s door is always open. 

 

Andrew Cosci

 Mr. Cosci  has been a Port Jefferson Physical Education teacher since September 2005. Prior to landing in Port Jefferson Mr. Cosci was a Physical Education teacher in the Syosset Central School District between 2003-2005 where he also coached football, baseball and lacrosse. Mr. Cosci graduated from C.W. Post in 2003 majoring in Physical Education with a minor in coaching. While at C.W. Post Mr. Cosci played running back for the C.W. Post Pioneers football team, earning a Northeast 10 Conference Championship during his final season. Since graduating from C.W. Post Mr. Cosci has earned his Master’s Degree from Adelphi University in Health Education. In the classroom Mr. Cosci teaches Physical Education for all grades between 6-12. He was previously at Edna Louise Spear Elementary School between the years 2005-2010. Mr. Cosci is known to be entertaining in his classes, often joking with the students. He spends many of his non-teaching periods talking with students in his office, helping them deal with everyday issues. Mr. Cosci was also a part-time dean during the 2012-2014 school years. Outside of the classroom Mr. Cosci keeps himself busy throughout the school year. He is the varsity assistant cross country coach as well as the head coach for boys’ varsity track coach for the winter and spring seasons.  When he is not working Mr. Cosci likes to spend his free time with his 3 kids, AJ, Maria and Teresa.

 

Michael Maletta

 Mr. Maletta enters his 9th year of teaching and has been a Port Jefferson Health and Physical Education teacher since September 1997. Prior to landing in Port Jefferson, Mr. Maletta was a Health and Physical Education teacher in P.S./I.S. 298 in Brownsville Brooklyn. Michael graduated from C.W. Post as a dual major, majoring in Health and Physical Education. While at C.W. Post Michael finished his education on the Dean’s List. Since graduating from college Mr. Maletta has earned his Master’s Degree from Stony Brook University in Continuing Education as well as earning his Administrative Certificate. In the classroom Mr. Maletta is mainly our 7th and 10th Grade Health Teacher. Mr. Maletta brings years of experience educating and entertaining the students of Port Jefferson. To enhance the learning experience for our students Mr. Maletta will bring in guest speakers to add to an already diverse Health curriculum. Outside of the classroom Mr. Maletta is known as Coach Maletta for his years of leading the Royals Wrestling team. Under Coach Maletta’s guidance the Royals have won 3 League Titles. Over the past 12 years the ROYALS wrestling team has produced 101 All-County wrestlers ,22 County Champions, 11 All-State wrestlers,4 State Finalists and 2 State Champions. Coach Maletta has also coached High School and Junior High Football, both Girls and Boys Junior High Soccer as well as Junior High Girls Track.

 

Logan Hoffman

Ms. Hoffmann is currently in her first year of teaching Physical Education at Port Jefferson in the Middle School and High School. Before coming to Port Jefferson, Ms. Hoffmann taught physical education part time at East Moriches Elementary School and Wading River Elementary. Ms. Hoffmann completed her undergraduate degree in Physical Education at SUNY Cortland and her Masters Degree in Health Education at Touro University Worldwide. Ms. Hoffmann has been a part of the Varsity Girls Lacrosse Program at Port Jefferson since 2019 filling many roles such as volunteer, assistant coach, and head coach. She is the assistant varsity girls soccer coach, assistant varsity girls lacrosse coach, and head coach of 8th grade girls basketball team. Ms. Hoffmann will also be running the intramural team sports program for 6th grade students. When Ms. Hoffmann is not teaching or coaching at school; she coaches girls travel lacrosse for the Rebels East 2026 team.

 

Kevin Rowett

Mr. Rowett has been a Port Jefferson Physical Education and Health teacher since 2002. Kevin graduated from Manhattan College while majoring in Physical Education. During his time at Manhattan he was a four- year starter for the baseball team. He also earned first team All-Conference while starring for the Division 1 Jaspers. Kevin still holds the sixth best batting average in program history (.389). After graduating Manhattan in 2000 he went to Cortland College to earn his masters in Health Education. Outside the classroom Kevin has coached baseball for the Royals on both the Varsity and Junior Varsity level. In the elementary school Kevin also runs the intramural programs for third to fifth graders.

 

Francoise Schachner

Mrs. Schachner is a Physical Education, Health and Swimming Teacher at the Edna Louise Spear Elementary School. Her experience teaching in Wisconsin and New York total 28 years. Throughout her career she has coached Swimming, Volleyball, Basketball, Cheerleading and Dance. She is presently the advisor for Intramurals and the Chess and Scrabble Club at the Elementary School. Francoise Schachner is an American Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor, as well as an ARC Certified in Lifeguarding and Waterfront, First Aid, CPR/AED, and Responding to Emergencies. Bringing her expertise to the Village of Belle Terre Beach Program, she has served as the Youth Commissioner, a volunteer village position, for over 16 years!