The Board of Education gathered for its first regular meeting of the new year on Jan. 13 in the Lynbrook High School auditorium. The evening was filled with new appointments, recognitions and important updates for the community.
Two staff members, teacher assistant Debra Doyle and school media specialist Marie Sarro-Pizarro, were granted tenure during the meeting and six new staff members were welcomed to the district. This included Dyan Aronowsky, special education teacher; Robert Haller, part-time messenger; Kevin Herlihy, part-time messenger; Ashley Keon, elementary teacher; Anne-Marie Jacobs, teacher assistant, and Vincenza Passalacqua, teacher aide. The board also approved the retirements of teacher aide Diane Dake, messenger James Duggan and teacher Janet Therrien. All three were praised by the board for their commitment and service to the district.
Following the staff recognitions, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Melissa Burak honored Lynbrook High School senior Damaris Hernandez who was selected as one of 25 high school seniors from New York State to be nominated in the 2021 United States Presidential Scholars Program. Being recognized in the program is one of the highest honors that a high school student can obtain.
Dr. Burak continued with her Superintendent Report where she provided a COVID-19 update. The area has not reached the yellow zone yet but if the district is informed of the designation, the community will be notified as quickly as possible. The district will need a few days to activate testing procedures for the two-week testing requirement while schools stay open. As of now, Marion Street Elementary School and Lynbrook South Middle School have not met the testing requirement. If the area moves into a yellow zone, those buildings will have to be closed unless they each receive the 20% consent to test. Testing will take place at the individual schools and specific logistics and locations will be determined if and when the time comes. Dr. Burak also shared that some students who decided to switch to in-person learning from remote before the holiday recess, chose to stay remote due to the spike in COVID-19 cases. She reminded the community that the COVID-19 situation can change quickly and encouraged everyone to be understanding and cooperative as the district progresses through this school year.
In addition, Dr. Burak shared that the members of the Phase 4 reopening task force are continuing to meet to focus on different issues. The goal of these Phase 4 groups is to devise a method to bring all students back to school whenever the time comes.
Following her COVID-19 update, Dr. Burak discussed how the district handled the aftermath of the events that unfolded at the United States Capitol on Jan. 6. The social studies department quickly worked on how to handle situations and discussions the next day with students. Support staff was also available for those who needed it. The district implemented its post-crisis team in which all staff played a key role in providing a safe space for students to share their thoughts and ask questions.
Dr. Burak also shared that the Lynbrook Public Schools received a $150,000 CARES Act Grant, provided by the Town of Hempstead, for the reimbursement of necessary expenditures related to the public health crisis. Dr. Burak and Board President William Belmont thanked the Town of Hempstead for their support during this challenging time. To close her report, Dr. Burak announced that the Lynbrook Council of PTAs will be running a campaign to fund their annual Scholarship Fund for graduating seniors. The Pave a Path campaign is open to anyone who would like to donate. Donors will order a customized brick which will be placed around the new Lynbrook High School addition that is under construction. Community members can visit www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/owlspath to purchase a brick and learn more.
Dr. Gerard Beleckas, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment, shared a curriculum update related to the board’s goal of continuing to promote diversity, inclusion and equity for all in the classrooms. Multiculturalism is taught in general music classes and in repertoire-based learning in performance ensembles. Lynbrook students discuss and explore the music of many different cultures, races and ethnicities. In studying the historical significance of relevant events and people of diverse cultural backgrounds, students gain knowledge of diversity, tolerance and deeper cultural understandings. Students are also able to identify with notable musicians who may share similar backgrounds and ethnicities as them.
Dr. Paul Lynch, assistant superintendent for finance, operations, and information systems, provided a capital projects update. The Lynbrook High School addition is progressing nicely and bids have been opened for the Marion Street elevator project. There will be a recommendation at the next board of education meeting.