Just a few months ago, much controversy, and even a bit of uncertainty surrounded the reopening of the Massapequa High School - Ames Campus, a building which after lying dormant for years, is being renovated to serve as a center for Massapequa School District's 9th graders.

It looked as though the Massapequa Board of Education was not going to hire a full-time principal for the school, that it would opt instead to ask the principal of Massapequa High School to assume that role for both buildings. And the road ahead for the renovation seemed long, with such major undertakings as the removal of asbestos not yet complete, while the September opening date appeared just around the corner. However, after much input from the local community, the board of education ultimately changed its position on the chief position at the school, choosing to hire a full-time principal. Earlier this summer the board filled the crucial post with district veteran Dr. Joan Blednick. And, after much hard work by both the district's staff and Turner Construction, the company handling the renovation, the asbestos removal and several other major physical projects are complete.

As the first day of school rapidly approaches, some key players in the reopening report that the finishing touches are being put on the building, and that an abundance of enthusiasm about Ames' educational program possibilities has surrounded the endeavor.

"I think they're hoping to make it a very unique environment," School Board President Christine Nottonson said this week, speaking about the preparation that Dr. Blednick and her staff are doing. "They're taking the opportunity to introduce some programs perhaps you can't introduce in a 7,8,9 building, and sometimes ones that you might not even want to take a look at in a 9-12 building - because you have a very unique population here, and different needs. It's a very transitional time."

The transfer of the 9th graders from Berner Junior High School to Ames is being done to alleviate an overcrowding problem at Berner, which like many schools across Long Island has seen much enrollment growth in recent years. Under the new plan, Berner will house only 7th and 8th graders, while previously it was a school for grades 7 through 9. The move was seen by both district administrators and parent and community members serving on a shared decision making committee regarding the reopening of Ames as a better alternative than creating a center for 7th graders and other configurations that had been considered. Reasons for this included a desire to keep 7th and 8th graders together because of their similar development level.

The plan was also supported by a belief that a school for solely 9th graders would serve as a firm foundation for their high school career. Now, as Dr. Blednick prepares the school for opening, she is excited about doing just that for the high school freshman, who she described as being at a critical age.

"This is where the children are going to build their self-image, their positive thoughts about learning. I want them to want to learn. And I know we have the teachers at Ames who are going to be able to do that," said Dr. Blednick.

Dr. Blednick was appointed, according to Nottonson, for her experience in Massapequa, her role as an educational leader, and the continuity that she brings to Ames' prospective students. She has been an administrator in the district for several years, beginning her career in the community as a guidance counselor in 1968. Since 1982, she has served as an assistant principal, at Ames, McKenna, and most recently, at Berner.

And, she knows the needs of the student age group at Ames because of her work with them at Berner. In fact, the first class at Ames is the group of children that just finished 8th grade at the junior high school.

"I think it was an opportunity for her to use the expertise that she's gained in a very specialized position," said Nottonson. "Educationally and emotionally there are issues

that I think she's very excited about working on with the students and the staff."

The physical aspect of the school's reopening also seems to be set. Although a list of unresolved issues were announced at a July 1 school board meeting, regarding, for example the installation of gym lockers, art room cabinets, and air conditioning for some administration offices, both Nottonson and Dr. Blednick indicated that these are minor, and that the most significant parts of the renovation are complete. The gym lockers will not be ready, but they are expected to be installed by the second week of September, and during the interim, students are scheduled to attend a program on safety which will not require a change of clothes, noted Dr. Blednick. She added that the air conditioning is in the process of being installed and the cabinets for the art rooms are on order.

"We have got a tentative report that there are some areas that they need to address, and to maybe revise their deadlines," noted Nottonson. "But from my discussions with a number of the members of the administration and representatives of Turner, most of those issues will be worked through, and they will be able to certainly be in a building in good operation come September."

The building, which was built in 1949, now features all new lights in the ceilings. Old asbestos tiles have been removed, and all new floors installed. In addition to such amenities as two gymnasiums and an athletic field, the school is equipped with some impressive technological capabilities. It boasts 32-inch television monitors, is cable ready and has Internet capabilities. Ames has computers in its classrooms, including ones on the teachers' desks that will enable them to do interactive presentations, in addition to computer rooms. The school's advanced technology is serving as a pilot program for the rest of the district, according to Dr. Blednick.

As the new principal embarks on the MHS - Ames Campus' first year of operation, certain challenges are clear.

In addition to overseeing the finishing touches of the renovation projects, such as the air conditioning and lockers, she has the task of instilling in the new 9th graders the concept that their experience at Ames will be the beginning of their high school careers.

As part of this, the 9th graders will take part in some of the activities of the main high school campus, although they will keep much independence, for example through their own sports teams. There will also be an orientation just before the start of the school.

It is hoped that the unique educational circumstances of the school for 9th graders will ultimately benefit Massapequa students, noted Nottonson.

"I think part of the structure that we developed here with Ames may not be the ideal. I think most educators will tell you the ideal is a 9 through 12. We were limited by facilities, and were limited by the population growth. So we had to address those concerns, and that's somewhat what dictated how we ended up with the final plan. But there's also wonderful opportunities," said Nottonson. "You have a particular population. You specifically address their needs...It's an opportunity in a very close environment to set such a positive tone about their high school experience. "

For example, as part of that effort to meet the 9th graders' needs, the school will focus on helping the students meet the new New York State Standards, through special curriculum, support labs and other forms of extra help. This class is one of the first ones to be impacted by the tougher learning assessments and all-Regents graduation requirements, which the state began phasing in this year.

Dr. Blednick added, "I think the challenge for us that I'm looking for is to prove that we can give these kids the best start to high school, and have them succeed better than any other class before them has, and then to follow it with the other classes...I want to give them that love of learning, and I want them to know that they can do anything that they want - because they can."

Donna Mason, a parent who served on the district's shared decision making committee on the reopening of the Ames building, and will serve as PTA director for the new school, echoed those words of optimism. "We're thrilled with the building as it is ­ the configuration of the 9th grade center, the teachers that are going there, the staff. PTA's perspective on all of that is, really ­ we're excited," she said this week. "It really should work to our advantage. Those kids will now realize they are in high school, and that the choices they make now will be on their transcript."