Parents of kindergartners coming into the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District may have a third option for the children. At the present time, the district offers an extended day kindergarten program which has the children experiencing a full day at school, one day. It is offering the choice of a full day program. The third possibility was discussed at the school board meeting on Jan. 19.

Roosevelt Principal Dennis Moller talked about the third concept, called "looping" with great enthusiasm. It would allow some students to have the same teacher in first grade as in kindergarten.

As the board meeting ended, board members objected to hearing about the looping project for the first time at the meeting. Dr. Phyllis Harrington, assistant superintendent, instruction and technology, said, "Mr. Moller was probably swayed by the enthusiasm and professionalism of both teachers who came to him with the concept. They are two phenomenal teachers."

Dr. George Chesterton said the timing should have been different, with the board getting the information before hearing it the way they did.

Trustee Robin Dando was concerned that many parents already know about the plan.

Dr. Chesterton said communications broke down and added that the board will weigh the program before anything happens.

Dr. Phyllis Harrington explained that Mr. Moller presented the concept to her and Dr. Chesterton after being presented with the concept by enthusiastic teachers. She said she had studied it extensively and it is one of the most singular educational programs with the greatest impact and without any financial impact.

The one major ingredient is time - that is the big advantage of looping. She said it's amazing that in education, we don't appreciate the benefits of a long term relationship when in private relationships with other professionals, such as a doctor, it is seen as a benefit. Sometimes looping takes place for three years. She said she would support two year looping, adding, "It would be most beneficial at Roosevelt."

Trustee Robin Dando reminded the board that presently at Roosevelt, if a teacher moves up they can take none of their students.

She was concerned some parents would not have enough knowledge of the district to be able to select their looping teacher. She asked about the child who can't get used to a teacher.

Dr. John Palladino said a transition is needed as the district goes from no choice to having choices.

Dr. George Chesterton, superintendent of schools said parents have been making these kinds of decisions when they send their children to other schools. (Local private schools offer full day programs for kindergarten students. The St. Dominic Elementary School offers a kindergarten class from 8:20 a.m. to 1: 15 p.m.)

Board Vice President Beverly Zembko said some kids don't adapt well to change.

Someone said children are different, some 5 year olds are not ready for school and some are far more ready.

Beverly Zembko said some schools have transition classes for some students.

Board President Tom Capozzoli brought up the issue of numbers: how many were signed up for kindergarten and how many would be in each variant of the grade.

On Jan. 28 and 29 parents were expected to sign their

children up for kindergarten and at that time give a guestimate of which group they wanted the child to be included with: the extended day or the full day. Of those who registered (traditionally a great many parents do not register at that time) based on the results as of Monday, Feb. 1, 46 parents chose the full day program and seven parents chose the extended day program. Two parents said they were undecided.

The board estimated at the meeting that there are 114 possible kindergarten students in the district. Over the years, everyone says it is a hard number to establish until a week after school starts in September.

The next step is screening the students. The dates for that will be set for the end of February, said Dr. Harrington. The information is used: when forming classes to ensure diversity in the classroom (for example if the children already read) and to be able to try to identify any special needs the child may have before they enter school.

There will also be an informational meeting for parents all aiming at their making a final decision for their child's kindergarten choice by April 1, the actual deadline.

Dr. Chesterton said the board is concerned that it is changing/offering too much at one time.

He said, "You try to serve your population the best you can, meeting the needs of the community as best you can within the means you are provided."

If the board decides it is in favor of looping that can also be added to the choices, or it might be postponed until next year.

During the public comments, parent Phyllis Chen asked if the children who were only having one extended day a week will be at the same level as those having five full days.

Dr. Chesterton said by selecting one or the other, parents are making a choice. He said some parents want their children to be at home because they choose to work with them, giving them individual instruction. There are parents with the time and talent to do that, he said.

Dr. Chesterton said he often gives the experience of his own son, who went to half-day kindergarten and first grade, but spent his time with Mrs. Chesterton, who was a first grade teacher. She was able to give him individual instruction.

If a parent is not going to provide more educational experiences for the child, they might be better in school. Some children need more time in school, he said.

Mrs. Chen asked what happens if a choice is not working. Dr. Chesterton said, "We will fix it."

Trustee Judy Wasilchuk said children learn in different ways. She said she didn't allow her children to watch TV, saying there were better things for them to do. She said some parents bring their children to museums for enrichment.

Dr. Chesterton said there are parents who push their children including some who prepare their child to get into early schools.

Phyllis Chen related an earlier experience in "looping" at Roosevelt where a "wonderful" teacher moved up and brought several children along, including her son. "I was delighted," she said. Unfortunately, some parents wrote letters complaining, she said, claiming that "politics" was involved in the choices. "It was horrible," she said.

Beverly Zembko said the teacher invited her entire class to come with her.

Trustee Robin Dando added it was a change in the practices of the school and said "She took 16 of her kids along."

In a telephone interview, Ms. Zembko said the board will be receiving full information about the looping program on Monday evening, Feb. 1.

Local resident Charles Gaulkin asked the board why there had been no issues of the Harbor Voice, the Oyster Bay High School newspaper, published this year. There are two advisors who receive stipends for working with students on the newspaper.

OBHS Principal Dr. Elizabeth Scott is looking into the matter, and will report back to the board.

One reason may be that there is currently no specific class in Journalism as there has been in the past - because of the low numbers of students registering for it. Ms. Wasilchuk suggested it might be given as an extracurricular activity and that it be opened to seventh and eighth graders.

Final approval of the map of Bermingham Estates was given by the Nassau County Planning Commission on Thursday, Jan. 28. "They gave their unanimous approval. No one opposed the decision," said attorney Anthony LaMarca. "The last hurdle is over," said Mr. LaMarca.

Dr. George Chesterton, OB-EN Superintendent of Schools said they will sign the contract within 90 days of the approval. The attorneys are setting up the date, he said. "I don't see any problems: only good things!"

The last issue that had to be resolved was brought up by the Engineers of the Nassau County Department of Public Works. They found street lighting missing from a document. Mr. LaMarca said it was left out of one map, but was on another drawing. One of the complicating issues is that each time there is a change on a drawing it has to be sent to the Town of Oyster Bay for comments on the change.

The Town of Oyster Bay does not do subdivisions: those decisions are left to the Nassau County Planning Commission, which means the town is still in the loop as far as having to be pleased with the solutions too.

Marie Knight and some of the Citizen's Committee in favor of the Bermingham decision attended the commission hearing as did some board of education members and Dr. George Chesterton, superintendent of schools.

Mr. LaMarca said, "The board of education will get the proceeds and they will be available for the education of the kids." If all goes as hoped, the district will get the balance of their funds. The entire balance of $1.620 million cash on closing: $180,000 has been received. It is 10 percent of the amount.

Anthony LaMarca represents the OB-EN District in the sale of the Bermingham Estates. Mr. Stanley Gross of Bermingham Estates is represented by Stewart Stein. As per the initial contract for the sale, Mr. LaMarca's fees are paid by Mr. Gross.

As to the process, and the number of years it has taken to get to this point, Mr. LaMarca said, "No one can say that there is any aspect of this that wasn't looked into several times over!"

The project has taken over three years.

Members of the East Norwich Civic Association pursued the issue through the Planning Board Commission and were able to challenge the process several times. They were against the sale of the Bermingham property saying that 18 homes would cause more traffic on High Wood Road, where many of the active members of the organization live. The group also protested saying the district needs more playing fields.

The district still has the Christie property on Route 106. School attorney Edward Robinson said the OB-EN School District had a bond proposition to buy the adjacent 15 acres to the south of those the district now owns, adjacent to the Muttontown Preserve, before the county bought it. It was owned by the MacKay family. A proposition was put before the district to put up a school. The existing 16 acres were to be used for athletic fields. It was all looked at by engineers in the '70s.

The school wasn't built but the 16 plus acres that are owned by the district, adjacent to the Muttontown Preserve, can be turned into playing fields if the district ever decides to do so, he said.

There is a high water table there, that makes it a poor choice for building houses, but with the trees removed and proper drainage work done, the district could, if the need balances the cost of the project, create more fields.