By Mike Schnitzel
³I think it¹s important what we¹re doing here tonight,² said school board President Dr. Frank Chiachiere. ³We¹re going to start a dialogue with our community.²
Superintendent Dr. Marc Bernstein asked members of the audience for input on how the district could more effectively communicate with the public. ³We believe we must form an even closer relationship with our community to have your support over the next decade,² Bernstein said.
Audience members had several suggestions, ranging from having board members attend civic association meetings to developing a sense of family among the district and the public to asking the district to contribute material to newsletters. Marc Tenzer, president of the Mill Brook Civic Association, said that his organization would be willing to give the district space in its newsletter.
Bernstein said that all children must be educated to the highest level in the history of the U.S. as other countries, specifically China and India, begin to overtake the U.S. in the science and technology job sectors. ³We realize that our children must be afforded the maximum opportunities to succeed [in a global market],² said Bernstein.
Fifth-place Siemens Westinghouse science competition finalist and Valley Stream Central senior Ran ³Ron² Li, 17, was on hand to lend a student¹s perspective to the dialogue. Li said that the competition was a life-changing experience, and that high school is one of the most important parts of our lives because it helps to shape who we become. Li spoke about the challenge and stimulation of the competition, and said that environment motivates students to achieve and succeed.
³As students, we really are responsible for the future of this country,² said Li. ³Before we inspire a nation, we must inspire ourselves.²
School administrators told community leaders about the new testing mandates, which require students in grades 3 through 8 to take tests in math and English, and about graduation requirements the students face.
Jill Gold, the district¹s director of guidance, said that while requirements for graduation continue to get tougher, Valley Stream¹s high schools have performed well, with 92 percent of students graduating in four years. About 90 percent of students in the three high schools graduated with Regents diplomas in June, Gold said.
Bernstein said that the district intends to hold a community forum some time in April or May of next year, and invited audience members to contact him by e-mail at bernstem@vschsd.org, or by phone at (516) 872-5601, whenever they had any concerns or ideas. ³Now that we¹ve established a relationship here tonight, I want you to feel comfortable with contacting me when you need to,² Bernstein said.
Comments about this story? MSchnitzel@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
