During the March 16 OBEN board of education meeting several people had questions for the board.

A parent asked about the state's English Language test for the fourth grade. She was worried about how her daughter did and asked if the district would remediate the students.

Dr. Chesterton said there is an opportunity for students to attend summer school where they will work in small groups to catch up. Next year too, there will be remediation for them.

Dr. Harrington commented that the district has been talking about the exam in terms of what surprised them about it and to see what they did that worked and what didn't. The state is still not saying when the results will come in, she said.

"In general, I feel good about how our students did," she said. She has been looking through their test booklets that she has in her office.

Mr. Malone had said at the last meeting that teachers have been sharing their experiences with the state exams as they begin to prepare for the next state tests in math.

Glen Contrerras, president of the Hispanic Club of 25 students wanted to know when their advisor would be okayed. Dr. Chesterton said they had met with the faculty council and were working out the rate of the stipend.

The kids were upset, said Mr. Contrreras. "I said, we have to wait and be patient," he added.

Two students from 24-Seven asked the district to allow Carol Brown to stay at the high school. One asked the board "For a moment of empathy." She has built up relationships with young people dealing with drug abuse and is great at teaching prevention and self-awareness, he said.

"We need a substance abuse counselor," the student said, adding that he knew of six young people who went away for help and added, "My best friend died this year."

Dr. Chesterton said right now they were looking at the needs of all the school population.

The young man answered "I just needed to bring my feelings to the table." There was applause for him from the audience.

Tammy Ashley, speaking for the Council of PTAs asked what the district was planning for the current second grade as it prepares to advance to the third grade at Vernon. About half of the class of students are getting remedial services. At the previous board meeting Mr. Moller, principal of the Roosevelt School explained of the 107 students in the second grade, 45 students receive extra help in Chapter I Math (31); Chapter I Reading (22): Resource room (5) and or/ inclusion (10). That totals 68 support encounters since some children are receiving support in more than one area.

Mrs. Ashley said Mr. Moller had suggested a way to address the issue was to create six classes for the new third grade. It would result in about seven children needing extra help per class. "Some do not believe in six sections," she said, "But I ask that all of the children have a good educational experience." She asked that they make their decisions not on the dollar value but the educational value.

At the February meeting Mr. Malone had said it was possible to house six sections of third grade at Vernon next year and Dr. Chesterton said the district will provide remediation over the summer to help some of those students improve their skills.

Parent Tara Pinella said, since, the Middle Level Week was such a success, could it be continued as the students went to the high school or at Vernon as the transition changes the population at Vernon.

Preparation for next year's transition is ongoing in all three of the district's schools. For the September 1999 new grade configuration of 7-12 at the high school, an additional assistant principal will be hired. Candidates have been interviewed and a selection of finalists were presented to the board of education on Monday, March 22.

Also in reference to the transition, Dr. Chesterton announced at the March 16 Board of Education meeting that the community is invited to a public meeting on Monday, March 29, to learn about the transition that is taking place in our district. It will be held in the Oyster Bay High School cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. A post card mailing will be sent out to the public inviting them to attend.

Dr. Chesterton, along with some board members and PTA members attended a meeting at Bellmore-Merrick on Friday, March 19. Legislators were there to hear concerns about state aid and development of the state budget. Work is proceeding on the new gymnasium with the steel structure completed and the roof decking in place. Two representatives, an architect and a designer from Thomas Associates, gave a report on the color selections that were made for the guidance office, library, lobby, restrooms, classrooms and other areas in the high school, as well as progress on the construction. The architect showed photos of the project to date and a time line. Although the project had been off schedule, the work done inside the building has now brought the project back on the original schedule. The next phase will be the masonry work in the gymnasium. An electrician and plumber have also begun work in the building. Construction meetings take place every two weeks to keep all informed of the progress and to review the schedule.

Dr. Harrington is working closely with Roosevelt Elementary School Principal Mr. Moller and district supervisor of English, Dr. Vida, on an early literacy program. She spoke about her vision of moving away from the whole language approach to a "guided reading" environment of small groupings which are skills- and needs-driven. Dr. Harrington stated the goals would be for the children to grow in fluency as a reader, and read for longer stretches of time. The students would establish goals with the teacher during this process. Dr. Harrington emphasized, "Learning is hard work, it is not going to just be there. It has to be taught and becomes part of the total teaching process," she continued. This work will begin in the fall at the elementary school and expand beyond those grades later on.

At the conclusion of the assistant superintendent's report, board member Robin Dando asked Dr. Harrington about plans for addressing the number of students in the second grade who receive support services. Dr. Harrington stated that options are being developed and that detailed information will be discussed and questions addressed at the March 22 budget hearing.

Oyster Bay High School's girls varsity basketball team has won the Long Island C championship and played for the state championship in Troy, NY on the weekend of March 13. Dr. Scott noted the tremendous effort put forth by each player on the team and the coaches, pulling together to make it happen under tremendous pressure and duress. Dr. Scott said, "The best of their athletic ability and the academic mindset that has developed has come to fruition: I think this is a tribute to Oyster Bay as a district." The principal urged as many people as possible to attend the game and cheer on the team in Troy.

A new technique is being explored for the science program, which will enable students to receive visual feedback on scientific experiments. A consultant was brought in, funded by a grant and through the efforts of district supervisor Richard McManus, to show science teachers how to use the computer program with their curriculum. It is designed to enhance students' ability to remember concepts being taught. The program involves the use of sensitive probes attached to devices which give students instant results on the computer screen. For example, the speed of sound could be measured and recorded instantly. Manuals, probes and peripheral equipment are provided for use in the various experiments.

Interviewing has been completed for the assistant principal, the committee will now start the interviewing process for a director of guidance.

Internal construction is beginning on a science room on the third floor of the high school.

A report card committee consisting of Roosevelt and Vernon School teachers met to discuss the new report card that will be used for an intermediate level school. BOCES will present possible options to the committee.

Middle Level Education Week showcased the work of middle level students during the week of March 8. On display was student work, a geography bowl, the healthy heart lunch, and thematic units such as immigration and "westward ho" classroom presentations. Many parents and members of the community attended the week long event.

Retirements were accepted and approved under the terms and conditions as stated in the Teachers' Retirement Incentive Plan. The following teachers have submitted their letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement effective June 30, 1999:

Jane Beeman, Sidney Bloom, Gerald Mullen - Vernon

Elizabeth Ehrlichman, John Kosak, Tiana Smilow, James VanderMeer - High School

Michele Davis - director of special services (Retirement Date - March 1, 2000)

The Board of Education authorized the administration to accept the gift of Paul Cushman of 14 symphonic study scores and two vocal opera libretti; the gift of Sheila Matus of a universal weight machine. The board and superintendent expressed their thanks for the gifts.

The next board meeting will be on April 27 at 8 p.m., Vernon School. In addition, there will be a meeting on March 29 at 7:30 p.m., Oyster Bay High School cafeteria about the transition taking place in our district.