Saturday nights come alive at BHS

Baldwin High School is always filled with students and staff on school days, but so is every other school — the law sees to that. But unlike every other school, BHS is also buzzing on many Saturday nights.

For decades, BHS has played host to Saturday Night Alive, a program originally designed to make sure kids are doing something productive while in a safe environment on the weekend. That’s still the case today as students play basketball, volleyball, pool and other activities under the watchful eye of district staff.

Bill Zino has been in charge of Saturday Night Alive for 35 years. He worked in the district as a special education teacher and then as a dean for 34 years before retiring in June. Although he’s retired, Zino, a Plainedge resident, still works a couple days a week as a substitute teacher and runs the Saturday Night Alive program on the weekend.

“I still do it because it’s in my blood,” Zino said. “I want to be there for the kids. I know they enjoy it, so I’m going to carry on with it.”

On average, about 125 students attend a Saturday Night Alive event, but that number can increase or decrease depending on the time of year, Zino said. BHS students make up most of the population, but Baldwin Middle School students are also welcome, as are middle or high school students who live in Baldwin but attend a parochial school.

Students have access to the weight room and can choose from a variety of activities, Zino said, but the most popular interest is always basketball.

Zino said the program is a success because students have fun and their parents know they’re safe. “It’s not a strict environment,” he said, “but the kids know me very well and I don’t put up with any nonsense.”

The program runs from 7 to 10 p.m. and Zino oversees what’s going on with the help of teachers and staff who volunteer to help out. Due to budget cuts last year, Saturday Night Alive wasn’t offered, but it was restored for this school year.

Zino said it’s a positive program for the community so it’s tough for him to leave it. “I love Baldwin,” he said. “I’m very close with many people, not only educationally in the district, but in the community. I like the students very much.”