Two recent events, an Administrators' Retreat and this school year's first Superintendent's Conference Day, launched the district into the 1997-1998 school year with great expectations in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District.

"One District Working Together" was the theme of the Administrators' Retreat held Aug. 26 and 27 at Hofstra University Club. The occasion provided Plainview-Old Bethpage administrators with the opportunity to address several important issues through a variety of discussions and activities that encouraged active participation. Seven primary issues were the focus of the two-day conference:

* How to change the delivery of instruction through the integration of technology

* How to achieve a district-wide consensus regarding the teaching of reading

* How to establish procedures for choosing common textbooks across the schools for the same grade, same subject

* How to achieve vertical and horizontal articulation/coordination of curriculum, K-12

* How to engage students more in learning

* How to include special education teachers and students in middle school teams

* How to unify procedures for issues like notifying parents of next year's teachers

Administrators broke into small groups for "kaleidoscope" activities¬45-minute sessions with 15-minutes each for brainstorming ideas, reporting and discussion back to the large group and revisiting and finalizing ideas. The groups were asked to identify constituencies involved in their plans, list possible steps to be taken, outline advantages and disadvantages of their plans and list resources (other than time and money) needed.

According to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anthony Cavanna, the event was characterized by high spirits and an overall positive and enthusiastic outlook, "We've spent a year building a team and that team is now in place," he commented. "A lot has been accomplished. Now we must begin to develop the plans that have been initiated."

On Superintendent's Conference Day, Tuesday, Sept. 2, Dr. Cavanna introduced the district's new administrators and staff members for the 1997-1998 school year and the group celebrated recent births, graduations and marriages before getting down to the business of education.

The concept of district oneness was again an integral part of the conference focus, with discussion centering on teamwork and professional development. Included in the discussion was a reflection of last year's goals and how much has been achieved, as well as the direction for the present school year. Last year, the board's mission included teaming at the middle school and implementation of a five-year technology plan. "These goals have been accomplished," Dr. Cavanna explained. "through the district's highly competent staff."

This year the mission is the same, with a continued focus on children and raising expectations. Proceeding with the technology plan, the district has added a K-12 "seamless" curriculum that incorporates increased standards as well as model learning environments, including Project Challenge, the Summer Science Academy and "inclusion" for special education students.

"Our successes at the high school level now include a 90 percent college acceptance rate," noted Dr. Cavanna. "This is one measure of how well Plainview-Old Bethpage is doing as a district. "All of the district's efforts and achievements," he added, "come under the umbrella of oneness, the components of which are teamwork, communication and achievement."