The East Meadow Board of Education marked School Board Recognition Week at its Oct. 8 meeting, while also updating community members on district safety and security and upcoming initiatives.
Following a musical performance by band members from W.T. Clarke High School in the gymnasium of the Salisbury school, Kelly Nixon, the district’s director of music and art, introduced the community to the work of talented students. She also thanked the board for its support of music and arts education.
“Tonight, we celebrate and thank our members of the board of education for their time, effort and dedication to the students and community of East Meadow,” she said. “We thank you for your commitment to championing and celebrating all programs we have here in East Meadow, especially the arts. These programs play an essential role in shaping well-rounded students, in preparing them for the diverse and dynamic world ahead.”
Students in Brian O’Neill’s AP Studio Art class at East Meadow High School created original landscape drawings and paintings, inspired by Long Island’s landscapes.
“Each student explored the unique characteristics of our area, translating their observations and experiences into works of art,” Nixon said.
The artwork was gifted to each board member, “symbolizing the connection between the arts education and our community,” Nixon added.
When new board members are elected or appointed, they are gifted an official portrait, which hangs in district headquarters. Trustees Siobhan Licastro and Dana Fernandez, elected to fill two empty seats on the board in May, had their portraits unveiled at the meeting. East Meadow High School senior Maleeha Fatima and W.T. Clarke High School junior Marelise Jorlgewich created the pieces.
“On behalf of the East Meadow art department, Heather Anastasio, our district art department chairperson, and the East Meadow community, we extend our sincere gratitude for your tremendous support and dedication to our students and staff,” Nixon said, addressing the board.
At the previous board meeting, held on Sept. 17, school safety was discussed as a priority for the district’s administration and trustees. Ken Rosner, the district’s superintendent of schools, said a SWOT analysis — which stands for strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats — was shared with more than 1,000 staff members in East Meadow schools, pertaining to safety and security.
“We’re asking for everybody’s feedback (to) look at what we’re doing — some of the progresses that we made, some of the weaknesses that we still have,” Rosner explained.
During the public comments’ portion of the meeting, Board President Jessica Ricco-Simeone said a community member raised questions about the potential for armed security in East Meadow’s schools. She said the conversation that followed was respectful, and thanked meeting attendees for their input.
“We are aware that this is a topic that brings up many feelings on both sides,” Ricco-Simeone said. “That is why we have asked the superintendent to develop a community survey that will help us gather information about this topic.”
The board also asked Rosner to figure out the times that the district could hold forums on the topic in the near future.
“I would like to make myself clear: This item will not be added to an agenda to be voted on until we have had the surveys distributed, data collected and multiple open forums,” Ricco-Simeone said.
Also during the September meeting, it was announced that each trustee would be taking on an active role at one of East Meadow’s nine school buildings by attending events. Several board members shared activities they have attended since the start of the school year.
Licastro noted a successful celebration at George McVey Elementary School in honor of its 75th anniversary, congratulating the principal, staff and PTA for pulling off a tremendous event. Trustee Nancy Widman reflected on a successful homecoming at East Meadow High School, while Maria Talluto, the board’s vice president, informed meeting attendees about an exciting family book fair held at Bowling Green Elementary School.
Rosner said it’s great to see East Meadow come together for sporting events, noting that the sense of community is larger than just the teams themselves.
“It spans, not just the teams, but the cheerleaders, the kick line, the community and the PTA, and all those great things that are happening at these events builds momentum into the school year that can’t be stopped,” he said. “It’s such an important part of what we do, and I’m proud to be part of it.”
