Valet service for parking was needed on April 28 when certificates of award acknowledging the achievements of students at the Roosevelt Elementary School, Vernon Middle School and Oyster Bay High School were presented before the Board of Education meeting began. The students gathered with their parents and guests at 7:30 p.m. and the parking lot was filled to the last space. Cars were being turned away as the time arrived.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Banta, in welcoming students and their families, expressed his pleasure in honoring them in recognition of their accomplishments throughout the school year.

Board President Louis Kaplan and Board Vice President Bev Zembko made the award presentations as follows:

• Roosevelt School: Continental Math Competition, Odyssey of the Mind competition
• Vernon Middle School: Johns Hopkins University 1998 Talent Search of Outstanding Students - 5th grade winners (math and science); Continental Math contest winners - (grades 4, 5 and 6); National Organization For Women Young Women's Achievement Award; and 5th and 6th grade conflict resolution groups.
• Oyster Bay High School: Girls' varsity basketball - winners of the Long Island Class "C" championship and Nassau County Class "C" championship titles; boys' varsity basketball - winners of the Nassau County Class "C" championship title; school business partnership program; and managing editor of AGAPAE (1997 issue won gold medal at Columbia Scholastic Press Association's annual critique)

The meeting began with Board President Lou Kaplan requesting a moment of silence in honor of the late Mrs. Marie Bohn. Mrs. Bohn served the school district for over 50 years and Mr. Kaplan noted, "I have had the pleasure of knowing Mrs. Bohn, she will be greatly missed." Dr. Banta also expressed his admiration for Mrs. Bohn by adding that "She loved the children and was very proud of the school district and the community." He added, "The one thing I will remember most about Mrs. Bohn is that she treated everyone with courtesy, and that is a wonderful legacy."

In his Superintendent's Report, Dr. Banta pointed out that the focus of the site based team always should be on the children and what is best for them. He asked that all individuals work on behalf of the students' welfare, through effective dialogue, so that the team's mission will not be compromised. "We should strive for mutual respect and civility regardless of personnel views," he stressed.

When convicted child molester Al Bakerak, former owner of an upholsterer shop on East Main Street, Oyster Bay, was released recently the district acted quickly, circulating copies of Megan's Law. Providing protection for children were the subjects of classroom presentations. Parents were also recently contacted by the superintendent about ways to safeguard our children. Mr. Minkoff, director of health, physical education and athletics and Mr. Baker, health and physical education teacher will be attending BOCES training programs to gain ideas that can be used in classes such as "growing healthy." They will look for ways to better inform children, personnel and parents. Guidance from our attorney and suggestions from other school board organizations will be used to formulate an appropriate policy.

The district has been privileged to collaborate with the Boys and Girls Club with their use of school facilities. A celebration on Sunday, May 3 marked the grand opening of their new home and our bands from Oyster Bay High School and the Vernon School participated.

The District Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, May 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Oyster Bay High School. All members of the community are invited to view the art work of students in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District as well as the work of students attending parochial and private schools in our district.

The Board of Education adopted the 1998-99 school budget at the April 21 meeting which is a 4.97 percent increase representing a 2.34 percent increase in the tax rate.

Dr. Banta concluded his report by reminding people that voter registration is underway for the May 19 vote. A special voter registration time will be held on Tuesday evening, May 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the administration building (McCouns Lane). The deadline to register to vote is Wednesday, May 13.

In his Principal's Report, Mr. Malone commented that this being National Library Week, which promoted reading, the staff and students are involved in many activities. The school librarian has issued a "Turn Off Your TV Week," with students recording what they have read instead of watching TV. The Vernon Book Fair will be held next week, May 4-8. Each class will have a chance to attend and choose to purchase among the varied selections of reading material.

The eighth grade social studies classes are addressing the new tests which ask for more than mastering the facts. Mr. Malone displayed students' political cartoons which interprets historical facts and applies it to the present.

The Home and Careers curriculum teaches decision-making skills, explores options as well as addressing health and nutrition. The 7th grade students will go to the new Doubleday/Babcock Senior Center to meet with seniors in an inter-generation activity which will be a cake-baking contest. The seniors will be the judges!

A significant improvement has been noted in the current grade 8 with regard to language arts. Through an intervention program of remediation and summer school which began two years ago with the then grade 6, these students have made significant progress which was observed after they took this year's exam.

The Vernon School has a wonderful art exhibit on display at Marine Midland Bank which showcases their talent. All are invited to see it this week.

In Mr. Moller's Principal's Report, he spoke about the science program, commenting on the recent science fair in which 250 students participated. This annual event, in which the children chose their own topic, is an excellent way to get children excited about the subject and to involve parents. Mr. Adams, the science consultant, in addition to teaching, coordinates the program for all grade levels and works with teachers providing lessons and enrichment. Mr. Moller went through a grade by grade description of the progression of the science program and the study skills the children need to succeed at each level.

A new program, the kindergarten language enrichment program, will meet every other day as an extra "stay day" for children identified as needing assistance in language development. The goal is to prepare them better for first grade.

The Roosevelt School has been named as a beneficiary in the Lottery's New York Wired television program. The game show will air on Saturday, May 9 at 7 p.m. on channel 4. A vignette on Oyster Bay will also be shown during the television program. Playing for the school will be Peggy Green of the "Marty's Party" store in the Pine Hollow Shopping Center, who has generously named our school as the recipient.

Dr. Scott in her Principal's Report was pleased to announce that the valedictorian for the 1998 school year would be JoAnna Gedzior and the salutatorian would be Alex Urdea. They were the candidates as the year began and their third quarter averages decided the line up!

Dr. Scott attended a conference on computer technology which focused on developing a vision of how to proceed in our schools with technological advances. She expanded on the topic stating that schools should assess what they want students to learn and then tailor the technology to meet those needs. Dr. Scott praised board member Dr. Lin's efforts of also bringing attention to this vision. Dr. Scott is also exploring any on-line courses that may be available for students in certain areas.

In the area of special education, work is being done on the inclusion special ed program for next year. Teachers are meeting on a regular basis, conferences on the program are being attended, staff development is scheduled and a special education parent-teacher forum is being organized.

During the agenda part of the meeting the 1998-'99 BOCES tentative administrative budget in the amount of $10,816,506 was unanimously approved. Dr. Jack Lin was the board representative to BOCES. He was surprised at how far other schools sent representatives to the event which encompassed several meetings.

Other board action included awarding tenure to the following staff members:

• Arnold Minkoff - supervisor of health, physical education, interscholastic athletics and recreation.
• Ana Landron - bilingual school psychologist.
• Eileen Anders - elementary teacher
• Claudine DiMuzio - elementary teacher
• Linda Rigley - elementary teacher

The resignation for the purpose of retirement was accepted for Denise Heagney, English teacher, effective June 30.

Approval also was given to appoint tutors before and after school for PEP test preparation.

Assistant clerks and election inspectors were appointed for the budget vote.

A custodial supply bid based on cooperative bidding with 14 school districts was approved as an economy measure.