Computers, scoreboard coming to EMHS

The East Meadow Board of Education unanimously accepted gifts from the Westbury Micro Center and the East Meadow Parent Athletics Club on behalf of East Meadow High School at a work session meeting on Sept. 13.

EMPAC is donating an outdoor scoreboard for the Lady Jets’ softball team and two new basketball backboards for the high school gym. And employees of the Merrick Avenue Micro Center took part in a nationwide Intel competition last month, and won $3,500 worth of laptops, desktops and spiral notebooks for the school.

“A lot of associates went to, or know someone who went to, East Meadow High School,” said Chris Robertson, peripheral sales manager at Micro Center.

Robertson, who graduated from the high school in 2003, said he encouraged employees to vote for his alma mater during the Open-Box PC contest hosted by the Intel Retail Edge Program. EMHS was among nine schools that received the most votes, he said. Employees at thousands of participating electronics stores — including Fry’s Electronics, Best Buy and CompUSA — nominated schools near them during the competition.

According to Intel, the computers will improve students’ learning environment. “We are delighted to share this technology with local students,” said Jeff Clark, manager of the Intel Retail Edge Program.

The program was created by Intel to provide the latest information about the company’s products to sales representatives through interactive courses, articles, videos and competitions.

EMPAC members, meanwhile, raise funds through concession sales at sports events and fundraisers in order to donate needed items to the high school’s athletic department each year. Last year the club raised more than $9,000, said its president, Sue Caramante.

Asked why the softball team was chosen to receive a scoreboard, Caramante said, “They seemed to be the ones who needed it the most. The team has been great for years, but there was no way to see the score.” She added that the basketball backboards are “in need of an update” and will benefit phys. ed. classes as well as the high school teams.

According to Superintendent of Schools Louis DeAngelo, the scoreboard is worth $5,558, and the backboards, $3,825. They will cost $1,500 to install, which will be covered by the high school gift fund, DeAngelo added.

EMPAC currently has about 70 members, but encourages all parents to get involved. “Any money we make goes right back to the school,” Caramante explained. “We’re there for everybody’s kids.”

The club previously donated the outdoor concession shack, the dividing wall in the gymnasium and white gazebo tents to shade track team members from the sun, Caramante said. “It’s nice to be able to contribute to the athletic teams,” she added. “It boosts a little bit of school pride.”

“[EMPAC members] are fundraising machines, and we thank them,” said DeAngelo.

The district’s school board must approve gifts with a value of $3,500 or greater and that have installation costs.