On Wednesday, Jan. 30, at a school board workshop, Dr. Bozzomo presented the results of the census conducted in Manhasset last year. At the same meeting, he gave his recommendations to the board for alleviating the overcrowding and space limitations at Shelter Rock Elementary School. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Bozzomo for addressing this serious issue and to thank the Manhasset School Board for concentrating its efforts to find a solution to this problem.

The Shelter Rock enrollment of 780 students by its sheer number is reason for concern. We are one of the largest elementary schools in the area. (Munsey Park - 597, New Hyde Park - 544, Hillside - 503, Garden City Park -268; Roslyn and Garden City use modified Princeton Plan). Because of the large number of classes, our principal, Robyn Mandor, has had to do some creative juggling to find space. One year we had "Art on a Cart" that went into the classrooms because the art room was needed as a classroom. Storage spaces have been converted into practice rooms for band/orchestra students and closets have become office space for teachers. Five disciplines (Occupational and Physical Therapy, ABA trainers, Guidance and Speech/Language specialists) share a room. When one-on-one help is needed, they divide the room with a screen (far from ideal for the children who work there and may have concentration /focusing issues). Within the past few years, our primary gym has been cut to make a room for speech therapy and space was taken from the cafeteria to make an additional room for the music department. Shelter Rock was constructed (and renovated) with five classrooms per "pod" so that the classes in each grade could share the same space. We currently have three grades with six sections (classes) and therefore one class must be outside the "pod." This is particularly difficult for the sixth-graders because they use a Team Teaching Approach.

In addition to our increasing enrollment, the results of the census also show that both elementary schools may be overcrowded within a few years. And since both schools feed into our Middle and High Schools, it is obvious that the effect will be on an already tight situation there. As a community, we need to look to the future. We must not be shortsighted. Yes, we need an immediate solution to Shelter Rock. But we may also need a long-range goal to ensure that the education of our children is not compromised.

We do not envy the school board in the difficult work it has ahead, but we believe that they will do what is right for all our children. As parents and concerned residents we must ensure equity in the elementary schools. We must all work together to find the right solutions, for now and for the future.

Mary Frances Jeffrey

SCA President at Shelter Rock

Lisa Belinsky

SCA Vice-President at Shelter Rock