The Herricks School Board held an informal "rap" session for high school students last week at the high school as part of its regular board meeting.

The room was packed with students as they addressed the many issues that concerned them:

One student wanted to know if there were any guidelines given to teachers about grades.

Herricks High School principal Mark Scher said that the grades were pretty much regulated by the various teachers. However, he explained there are variations and if there is a problem he said that a student should come to see him.

One student wanted to know what was being done about an incident that occurred a while ago. Apparently, there were a series of e-mails sent to the schools mentioning student's names in a very vulgar manner. He said that he was very hurt by the entire incident and wanted to know what was being done. He also said he thinks the same type of e-mail was sent out mentioning some of the teachers.

School Board President Emila Sutz said that the board would not tolerate such behavior and would take whatever measures necessary to halt this action.

Principal Scher added that the incident is still being investigated and it is felt that they will eventually find out who sent the e-mails and then the school will deal with that person.

One of the students wanted to know if they could attend regular school board meetings and President Sutz said that they would be encouraged to do so. Most all of the meetings are listed in the school calendar and they are also posted on the door of the administration building, but are usually on the first and third Thurdsay of every month unless there is an exception.

Another topic addressed was about substitute teachers. A few of the students said that they don't really teach and that if they talk to their peers they "write" them up and they also give homework that does not pertain to what they are studying.

The same student suggested that when a substitute teacher is in the room it would be just better to use that time as a study period and forget trying to teach the students because they don't know what they have been studying.

Principal Shur and Interim Superintendent Dr. Ronald Barnes both said that a lesson plan should have been left by the teacher and the substitute is to follow that lesson plan. They both pointed out that substitute teachers are being paid quite a lot of money and the question of them not teaching would be addressed.

One young man, a member of the student council, suggested that the physical education course be eliminated if a student is involved in an after school sport. He said that the student could use that time to do his/her homework and that by playing an after school sport you learned the same thing you learned in a physical education class. The student said that they had contacted Great Neck North and Great Neck South and Jericho High schools because this is what they have initiated.

Both Principal Scher and Superintendent Barnes however disagreed vehemently. They said that the Physcial Education program at Herricks has been used as a New York State Education model it was such a fine curriculum. Dr. Barnes said, "Even though you are in a math club, you still must go to math class. It's the same with the physical education class.

There was a very long discussion about the fact that some students don't have a lunch period and have to eat their lunch at their desk since it takes too long to go to the cafeteria to stand on line to buy food. It was suggested on those days the student would be best to "brown bag" his/her lunch in the interest of time.

There was another discussion about food being left in class and an effort to keep the classrooms clean but not cluttering them with food.

Another student said that they are not allowed to even drink bottled water in class. Dr. Barnes explained that there are guidelines from the state about what they can and cannot allow student to consume. One such rule is that schools are not allowed to sell carbonated drinks before 2 p.m. so that soda machines are "off limits" until that time.

Another student mentioned that there really isn't enough time between classes and that there should somehow be an extension of time to get to class.

The locking of the Hamilton Park Gate was another topic. It was explained to the students that the school board just wanted to be good neighbors and the students were all gathering in that alley, some smoking, and being of general nuisance to the residents.

One student mentioned that on occasion she had seen both teachers and student teachers smoking in that area.

Another student said that when she goes running for the track team they often see students in the wooded area smoking which she said was really a fire hazard.

Both Principal Scher and Superintendent Barnes agreed and said they would have the area checked out by the security guards.

One student wanted to know where they were and when they came on duty, but Dr. Barnes explained that if the district allowed that information to be divulged, then everyone would know where they were and at what time and that would defeat the purpose of having guards.

Another student said that while running on the track team she had observed students and teachers standing in the wooded area smoking, which could cause a serious fire.

She was told that the next time she observed such an incident she was to report it to Principal Scher.

One student wanted to know if the board was considering allowing a student to sit on the school board. President Sutz said they were since there is "no student voice" on the board. However, she said that before it happens the board will put it on the agenda and then advertise that the board will have such a discussion. In the meantime, they will attend a school meeting at Great Neck to see just how they deal with a student on the board.

One student wanted to know if they could change the name of the "rap" session to a "fireside" chat and Sutz said they would take that suggestion under advisement.

At the end of the "rap" session the board felt that it had been productive to hear from the students and to get their thoughts and will schedule another such session in the near future.