Life of a former administrator at oyster bay

By Scarlett Shelley

Mr. Kevin Trentowski, Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics in Oyster Bay for ten years, resigned from his position on September 18th, 2021, to take on new adventures at a school closer to home.

“I will miss the people, the faculty, the students; everyone is always so welcoming,” said Mr Trentowski. Noting that he lives about 50 miles away and has three school-aged children, he added, “I can’t continue to give up two hours driving everyday.”

Mr. Trentowski started working at Oyster Bay in 2012. During his tenure, he has made quite an impact. His most recent project involved the planning of new facilities at James H. Vernon, an elementary school in Oyster Bay; new bathrooms, bleachers, and a turf field were installed. Now, more of the sports teams can enjoy nicer facilities. Other projects include starting the Breakfast For Champions and adding more sports teams, the newest one being sailing. Mr. Trentowski likes that Oyster Bay is unique for the variety of sports offered. “We all grew up watching football, baseball, but you never really see field hockey, fencing, and crew.” 

​Mr. Trentowski began his love of sports and health as a young kid; he played soccer and baseball, and he ran cross country and track. He grew up in Holbrook, a town in Suffolk County, New York. His dad was a health teacher, so he grew up seeing what it was like to be an educator in this field of study. “Health covers what a student is going through. Your other classes don’t cover a student's lifestyle like health does,” Mr Trentowski explained. As Oyster Bay’s health director, Mr. Trentowski knows that health can help guide students through issues they may have inside or outside of school. “No one ever said it was easy being a teen in 2021,” he continued.  

Mr. Trentowski first began his adult academic career at Suffolk County Community College. When Mr. Trentowski began college, he wasn't sure what he was planning on becoming or doing with his life. However, when Mr. Trentowski was around 19-20 years old, he worked at a summer camp for YMCA, where he really discovered his love for children. He recalls, “I always knew I liked kids, but there (YMCA summer camp) I was really able to understand how much I liked working with them.” After working at YMCA that summer, he realized he wanted to become an educator and work with children. 

Mr Trentowski used to work in Westhampton Beach and taught middle school volleyball. In 2012, when he decided to change schools, one thing that caught his attention about Oyster Bay was that it was a small school. “Getting a job here was a long process, and it took a while before I was offered the job, but I really wanted this position,” Mr. Trentowski said.

As Athletic Director for the Oyster Bay-East Norwich school district, Mr. Trentowski orders new uniforms, manages coaches, arranges buses for away games, and so much more. “No two days are ever the same. I’m living through today, but planning for next week,” Mr. Trentowski said, as he delved further into what his job entails. “There is a lot that leads into action before 4:30. Things actually calm down when the games and practices begin.” 

During Mr. Trentowski’s ten years of working at Oyster Bay, he has impacted many students and staff. “I have been working with Mr. Trentowski for two years now and he has shown me better ways to teach and coach my students, and I really appreciate that,” said Mr. Geiger, Physical Education Teacher and Coach at Oyster Bay High School, “He has really taught me how to be a better teacher.” A student at Oyster Bay High School noted, “He has always given me encouraging words whenever I would be in a game, and I am really going to miss that.”

​Mr. Trentowski hopes to accomplish many more great things, and, most of all, to continue to feel happy in five years. “I’ve learned so many details that impact so many people,” Mr. Trentowski said. He will miss the environment, but he is excited to see what the future will bring him. The Harbour Voice wishes Mr. Trentowski well and hopes he will enjoy this new chapter in his life!