In the LMEC Board Room decorated in extraordinary artwork from Division Avenue High School students, the Levittown Board of Education held its monthly meeting on March 8, to honor many students on a number of different fronts.

Salk Principal Vera Mingovits proudly introduced two exceptional programs put on by the middle school that center around a significant advancement in special education. Salk's Special Education Chairperson Mr. Cirillo, introduced the first program, known as Scholastic's Read 180. This is a district-wide program that uses technology, print and professional development, to enhance annual progress in reading.

Special education and English teachers, Mr. Agovino, Ms. Woods, Mrs. Tivin and Ms. Cai-Hsiu discussed benefits of the program, while giving the children an opportunity to tell their favorite aspects of the curriculum. Sixth-grader Danny Barrett proudly told the board and audience about his favorite books.

"I read Jane Eyre, Alcatraz and Captain Underpants," Barrett said, with the latter drawing laughter from the crowd.

That is one of the keys to the success touted by the program. The book selection of the children is of high interest to them so reading doesn't have to be so monotonous. Other features of Read 180 include individual reading zones, computer zones and small group instruction zones.

The social skills program is another part of the progress in the special education department. This program is specific to Salk Middle School, as its goal is to foster mutual friendships inside and outside of school.

"We don't want kids sitting by themselves in the cafeteria, or rarely having anyone to hang out with after school," Salk Special Education Teacher Karen Santoro said. "Everybody needs a friend."

Part of the program includes creating pen pal letters to send to other students in the school. They then eventually meet these students and learn how to initiate conversation with them, make eye contact and build a friendship.

Levittown residents and board members alike were pleased with the success of both of these programs.

"You have no idea how brave you have to be to present on something that has been troublesome to you," Assistant Superintendent Robert L. Davis said.

A Levittown parent strongly applauded the board for the implementation of both programs, and said "reading has never been easier in my house."

Board Trustee John Garvey said that the Social Skills program should be continued on the high school level in the form of learning job interview skills, filling out job applications and the like, through an elective class. However, Davis said that there was not much enthusiasm when both high schools' hierarchy was approached with the idea.

"They felt the people who truly need to take the class wouldn't do so," he said.

September of 2007 is the earliest that such a class could be implemented.

The board then officially commended four students from MacArthur and Division Avenue High Schools as valedictorian and salutatorians of their graduating classes.

DAHS Principal Kathleen Valentino introduced valedictorian James Davis and salutatorian Derek Mordente. Davis had a 98.162 unweighted average, letters in three varsity sports, and is headed to Princeton in the fall, where he will play lacrosse. Mordente's average was at 97.3063, as he is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, and he will be attending either Cornell or Stony Brook.

MacArthur's Principal John Bifolco proudly recognized Marisa Viets and Tiffany Chen as the class valedictorian and salutatorian respectively. Viets compiled a 99.46 average, to go along with her membership to the National Honor Society, and numerous other clubs, in addition to her exploits as a swimmer and photographer. Chen was close behind with a 99.25 average, coupled with her athletic achievements in badminton and tennis, and her incredible four-year perfect attendance at MacArthur. She will be attending Columbia in the fall.

It was a slow night for Public Be Heard. However, some of the issues briefly bantered about included the continued look at improving security and curbing vandalism, the need to support the battle for an equitable distribution of state aid throughout the county and the creation of a large e-mail list to make Levittown residents more aware of coming meetings and developments. Resolutions voted on comprised of a $5,000 bleacher replacement at Division and $9,000 in rental and expenses for the two high school graduations at Hofstra University on June 18.

A Budget Planning Meeting is scheduled for March 28 at LMEC. The next regular board meeting is slated for Wednesday, April 5. For more information visit www.levittownschools.com.