Recent ITHS Grad Opposes Middle School Renaming

I graduated in 2004 from Island Trees High School in Levittown, NY and went through the school district from kindergarten through senior year. My uncle and mother have gone and so has my sister. In the future I also want my children to go there. Throughout middle school we learned about World War I and II and every other war. In high school, we remembered the wars by having a veteran of World War II come and explain all the evils of war but also the happy memories. Having the middle school named Island Trees Memorial was one of the best ways Levittown could support the troops we have out around the world now but also back then. Levittown was made for the troops coming home, coming home to homes that they could call their own. So why take that away from us and now, since the 1950s, change the name to support a faculty member who, as far as I knew, didn't do enough to equal what our war veterans have done. They did it without the community knowing. Sure they told us, but after the school spent money on new signs. We should keep the name after the heroes who supported us because without them there would have been no reason to have that school. I am writing this letter to also show that I, and many other people of our neighborhood, support a rally that will be held on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. at Island Trees Memorial School and also on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. at the Gallow School.

Jaimie Wozniak

'Give Back Our Memorial School'

On Oct. 23 the Island Trees Board of Education disgraced themselves and our community by renaming "Island Trees Memorial School" after a retired school employee who received a high salary and now receives a very nice retirement package.

The plaque inside the school clearly reads in part "Island Trees Memorial School dedicated to those who served their country."

Our children and grandchildren should always remember the brave men and women who fought and died for our freedom and our way of life. We are fighting another war today against terrorism. We should be dedicating new memorials, not destroying the ones we have for over 50 years.

Island Trees Board of Education shame on you. Give back our Memorial School.

John and Diane Kirk