On Thursday, Dec. 16, I attended the Roslyn Board of Education meeting and was very discouraged on a number of issues. The first thing that struck me was how few people were in attendance. Wake up Roslyn! Just because the financial scandal has subsided, your input is still needed regarding how our school system is run, how monies are spent, and what policies are implemented that will affect our children.

I was shocked to learn that all speakers are tape-recorded without their knowledge when they speak at a meeting by the head of the Roslyn Teachers Association.

I spoke out at this meeting against the rule regarding winter recess and our student athletes. The board, with the support of our interim superintendent, David Helme, has chosen to uphold a punitive regulation directed at our student athletes. If an athlete misses practice or meets during the five-day winter recess they are off the team, regardless of the reason for their absence. This rule, in regard to the high school track team, does not take into account the point system the school has used and sent home to parents this year, regarding how a varsity letter is achieved. According to the point system, a student needs 45 points and must compete at a certain level to earn a varsity track letter. The decision to implement a no miss policy over vacation now overrides the point system.

My son, who is in his junior year at Roslyn High School, is a member of the track team, and has been on the track team since he was in middle school. He has earned a varsity letter in track as a freshman and sophomore and hoped to earn his letter again this year.

As a working mother, I find this new rule takes away from much needed family time. My parents live in Florida and the only time they see their grandchildren is over the winter vacation.

I was appalled when the head of the Roslyn Athletic Department, Dr. Martincich, supported by Dr. Charles Piemonte and interim Superintendent David Helme, denied our request that our son join us for my father's 80th birthday celebration in Florida. I was told that if he misses the winter recess track meets, he would be off the team. Dr. Martincich went on to suggest that we leave our son with friends, or that we have him fly home in time for the track meets, which is not possible.

If a school is closed for vacation, the student athletes and coaches are entitled to take a vacation and enjoy time off with their family and not be penalized for doing so.

Today, more than ever, families are faced with the challenge of spending time with each other. It is not appropriate for athletic directors or other school personnel to create barriers between families in order for student athletes to participate on school teams during official school closings.

As a result of this rule, eight students chose not to participate in track this season. Other winter sports report less student participation because of the punitive nature of the rule.

Why are the board, and the interim superintendent deliberately ruling with an iron fist? The problems that Roslyn faced were financial and moral issues. There is no reason to implement a rule regarding winter recess and student athletes with no leeway for extraordinary circumstances. After checking with six other athletic directors, I learned we are the only school that removes an athlete from the team for missing vacation meets.

This not the type of school government I had hoped for. Our students are not professional athletes; they are our children, who grow up all to quickly. How sad that my son was forced to choose between running track, a sport he has enjoyed for many years and looks forward to participating in, and seeing his grandfather on his 80th birthday. This year, Adam will not get a letter for winter track. It did not have to be this way. Shame on all of you who endorse policies that make it hard for families to be together during official school closings. Roslyn could have adopted the policies of other schools that allow for a coach's discretion in such matters, instead of removing an athlete. Other schools do not impose a one-size fits all policy on their athletes. Roslyn should revise this rule to take into consideration that we are a community that values family time especially during official school closings.

Rebecca Hollander