Bethpage-Tribune_2007-11-02

              Volume 45 Number 41 329 Broadway., Bethpage, NY 11714 Nov. 2 - 8 , 2007 (516)681-0440 ext. 21 FAX (516)681-9354 Email: Nuz2u@aol.com 50 Cents
Enhancing Facilities at Bethpage Schools
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto recently visited with officials at JFK
Junior High School in Bethpage, where the Town installed new bleachers. On hand
were Liz Cotton (PTA President at JFK Middle School), Linda Mangano (PTA
President Bethpage H.S.), Ralph Tocco (Asst. Principal), Kerri McCarthy
(Principal), Tom Frost (Bd. Of Ed. V.P.), Richard Marsh (Supt. of Schools),
Supervisor Venditto and County Legislator Ed Mangano.
It has been a productive summer and fall in the Bethpage School District.
Several District building improvements and initiatives have been completed,
and as a result Building core systems have been enhanced and communica­tion
between school and home has been improved. Bethpage Superintendent
of Schools Dr. Richard Marsh provided the community with a thorough
update of the progress at the September Board of Education meeting, and
continues to provide capital project status reports at many public meetings.
A Bright Future for Energy Savings
New energy efficient lighting has been installed throughout the District,
most notably at Kramer Lane Elementary School and the Bethpage High
School gymnasium. As the result of an energy performance contract with
Johnson Controls, schools have brighter, more efficient lighting, equipped
with motion sensor detectors that automatically shut off lights when a room
is unoccupied. This, coupled with the reduced kilowatts used by the new
lighting, and energy efficient windows and weather stripping installed under
the 2000 facilities improvement bond, results in significant energy conserva­tion
and considerable utility cost savings. Additionally, as a result of the
energy performance contract, a new, more efficient boiler system was
installed at JFK Middle School.
Improved Athletic, Phys Ed Facilities
In addition to the new lighting installed at the Bethpage High School gymna­sium,
the expansive wood floor was refurbished this past summer. Last year,
new bleachers were installed in the gymnasium as a result of some of the
proceeds from the community-approved sale of Borella Field. The Town of
Oyster Bay also agreed to donate new exterior bleachers for the playing field
at JFK Middle School. The bleachers were recently installed and will provide
many years of service for sporting events and activities and were donated to
the school by from the Town of Oyster Bay with the help of Supervisor John
Venditto.
Restroom Restoration Completed
Restrooms at Central Boulevard Elementary School have been renovated
using monies in the District's Capital Improvement Fund. Since the 2000
facilities bond and the creation of the Capital Improvement Fund from the
Borella Field sale, the District has been systematically upgrading restrooms
at all of the schools.
Full-Day Kindergarten Plans Approved
The State Education Department (SED) has approved building expansion
plans at the District's schools that accommodate the implementation of a
Full-Day Kindergarten Program. In May 2007, voters approved the plan,
which capitalizes on a one-time New York State EXCEL grant that will sig­nificantly
offset costs associated with expanding the kindergarten program.
Dr. Marsh said the project remains on schedule and the program is still on
track to begin September 2008. Ground should be broken for construction to
begin in November.
Parents Connected with New Phone System
This fall the District is implementing a new telephone alert system called
"Connect-Ed."
The system, which is widely used by school districts throughout the
country, enables the District to automatically send blanket pre-recorded
phone messages to all Bethpage parents in a matter of minutes. Connect-Ed
is commonly used to get important messages to parents in a timely manner,
such as a school closure or school emergency. A Wireless Bethpage HS
Dr. Marsh also announced that Bethpage High School is now a wireless
"hot spot." This means that computers used in the school no longer are
required to be plugged into a port in order to access the Internet, but rather
gain automatic access. Commonly referred to as "Wi-Fi," this technology is
a great benefit to students and staff using laptops, and offers them mobile
Internet access throughout the classrooms, cafeterias, labs, and study areas,
such as the library.
A wireless network has the same level of security as the standard net­work.
Only registered computers can gain access and all computers still use
the District's filtered Internet. The technology is commonly found today in
airports, coffee shops, hotels, and public libraries, including the Bethpage
Public Library.
Wow..That's A Nice Check!
This Halloween the Bethpage School District certainly received a treat! On
Wednesday Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard Marsh (second from left)
and School Board Vice President Tom Frost (second from right) was present­ed
with a check for over $700,000 from Nassau County representing pilot
payments from Lily Popcorn on the Grumman property. On hand to present
this wonderful check were Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano (far left)
and Councilwoman Rose Walker (far right).
ATTENTION TRIBUNE READERS!!!
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
A Bethpage resident has lost a 14 ct. gold and diamond men's ring. The lost
ring has an emblem in the front depicting the world being held up by an "M" to
symbolize the word "MENSA". This symbol is surrounded uy diamond^ pIease
contact the Tribune at 681-0440 if you find this special ring.