The Farmingdale School District's special meeting of the board of education on Oct. 27 was a night of curriculum review, as teachers and faculty from the health, art and social studies departments presented the progress made in their subjects.

While impressed with the presentations, attendees at the meeting bemoaned the pressures put on the children, as well as the restrictions put upon them due to budget cuts.

The meeting began with a very brief business report wherein two proposals - an approval of the completion contract for the Woodward Parkway Windows Project, and a motion to approve the consent agenda- were summarily passed.

After an introduction by Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Robert J. Schultz, the health department, grades K-12 gave their review. Under the direction of Ellen Krammer, teachers Elise Hattem, Pete Cerrone, Brian Finlay, Rich Borawski, Walter Hennig, Gina Novack and students Ariel Horonato and Jodi Lewis gave an outline of the health program's structure.

The health teachers began their presentation with a statement of their goal and the standards for learning. By focusing on personal health and fitness, creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment, and managing personal and community resources, students will grow physically, socially, emotionally, and academically, according to the health department. The speakers then presented student survey results, complemented by actual student speakers who sang the praises of the department. The speakers then outlined ways that parents and family members could become involved in the program, before closing with recommendations to improve the department and the concluding remarks. Among the recommendations were CPR and first aid training to correct the students' lack of emergency skills, as well as a community service requirement for all high school health students.

The art department, grades K-12, were next to present their curriculum. Teachers Kathleen Perry, Nora Calabrese, Suzanne Germaine, Karen Palmero, Eunice Vega and Ricki Weisfelner, researched and presented their program, under the direction of Rita Padden.

Padden outlined the standards of the program, which focused on resources and materials, analyzing and criticizing art and understanding cultural contributions to the art world. A short presentation, entitled Úquot;Art Speaks,Úquot; showed the various implementations of art, from traditional painting and sculpting to more modern uses, such as architectural, advertising and fashion design.

The teachers then introduced themselves before making recommendations for their programs. Calabrese suggested the reinstatement of scenery and art clubs at the elementary level, while Weisfelner asked for 80 minutes of class time a week (double the current amount). Vega wished for extra help tutoring time, whether during lunch or after school, for art assignments. Palmero focused on the conditions of the classrooms by showing slides of a darkroom that previously had been a bathroom.

Directed by Jeff Spiro, the social studies program, grades K-5 were the last to present. The teachers conducting the review and presenting it included Valerie Geiler, Elizabeth Gentleman, Julieanne Lupson, Sharon Luquer, Catherine Sewell, Gina Novack (also of the art department) and Tracy Vicere.

According to the social studies department, their goal of helping students develop informed and reasoned decisions as citizens of a culturally diverse society in an interdependent world is aided by their adherence to curriculum standards. The standards for the program make sure the students are well-versed in the areas of US and New York history, world history, geography, economics, civics, citizenship and government. Among the recommendations made by the faculty were increasing coordination between buildings and strengthening staff development.

The board then commented on and inquired about the presentations. Board Trustee Jane Rubinstein asked how, specifically, each program was Úquot;developing skills toward careers.Úquot; Cerrone detailed the interning and job shadowing programs in use, noting that the student speakers were considering choosing a career in the health industry. Padden cited the design and fashion aspects of art, and noted that many students have gone on to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology.

The floor then opened to comments from the community. Farmingdale resident Shari Bardesh-Eivers voiced her concerns about the upcoming prep test for 4th-grade social studies students and the status of the Odyssey of the Mind competition for gifted students. Students showcased their projects, which were a major part of the curriculum, from the competition, but the district chose not to allow the students to advance.

Of the social studies problem, Spiro assured that those within the program were doing all they could to prepare the students.

Úquot;I can only empathize with you,Úquot; Spiro said.

Superintendent Dr. Roberta Gerold commented on Bardesh-Eivers' gifted program issue, noting that, ultimately, Úquot;the purpose of the program is not to compete, but to structure thought.Úquot;

Resident Terri Morrison noted that while she was grateful for teachers staying after school to help children, she was tired of teachers using that fact to ask for more money and wished for more volunteering.

Lisa McCaffrey, the final Farmingdale resident to speak, asked the board whether budget defeats were the reason for the abrupt end to the Odyssey competitions. Gerold replied that budget defeats, were, in fact, part of the impetus.

McCaffrey offered her reasoning for the defeat, when she said Úquot;the crux of the problem was labeling a curriculum change as a competition.Úquot;

Gerold noted that the board was undergoing a Úquot;restructure of budget buildingÚquot; that would effectively get essential programs passed.