The Roslyn School District

AUG 21, 2008 – The new school year began with began on September 3 for Roslyn's 3,400 students. Pictures from the opening days of school show staff and students quickly at work.

"I can't help but feel a thrill of excitement about the start of the school year and all of the promise that a new year brings," wrote Superintendent of Schools Dr. John A. Richman in a letter to parents and the community for the start of school.

Photos:
(first row) East Hill School's new principal, Allison Brown, greets students on the first day of school.
Kindergarteners work on computers in a newly re-equipped lab at the Heights School.
(second row) Ms. Alleyne has fourth graders up and running in Physical Education class at Harbor Hill.
Ms. Pattinger gets students started on an art project at the Roslyn Middle School.

Roslyn Welcomes New Staff Members

AUG 21, 2008 – The Roslyn Public Schools is pleased to welcome several new members to its administrative team for the 2008-09 school year.

Allison Brown (left) became the new principal at the East Hills School this summer. Ms. Brown was previously principal of the James H. Vernon Elementary School in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District. She also served as principal of the Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School in the same district from 2001 to 2007. Prior to that she taught in the Rockville Centre school district. Ms. Brown is a graduate of SUNY Oneonta with a BS in Elementary Education, and earned a master's degree in Special Education from Hofstra University.

Mary E. Wood (right) joins the Heights School family as the new assistant principal. She comes to Roslyn from the Northport schools where she was district chairperson for special education. Previously she worked in the Rockville Centre schools as a director of community education and as a special education teacher. In addition to her duties as assistant principal at Heights, Ms. Wood will also chair the Committee on Preschool Special Education. She is a graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh with a masters degree in the teaching of writing from Hofstra and a professional diploma in administration from Queens College.

Claudia Rico (left) is the new Science Chairperson for grades 6-12. She taught science in the Baldwin school district, she had a number of administrative and supervisory responsibilities, as well as in the New York City public schools. Ms. Rico has a degree in biology from New York University, a masters degree from Long Island University and a profession diploma from St. John's University.

Elizabeth McLoughlin (right) joins the district as the new School Lunch Manager. She has a masters degree in food, nutrition and dietetics from New York University and is a registered and certified dietitian. Ms. McLoughlin has worked at Saint Francis Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc. as well as the Glen Cove school district. Since joining the district late last spring, she has already begun a number of initiatives to enhance the district's food services.

Roslyn is also pleased to welcome new members to the faculty for the 2008-09 school year. These teachers attended an intensive New Staff Institute during the week before school. They are:

Roslyn High School
Guy Barnett, Math
Elizabeth Brown, Guidance
Stephen Eder, Science (Hilltop Academy)
Sallykaye Kaufman, Business
Gail Kennedy-Hoar, Guidance
Daniel McDermott, Social Worker
Mariantoniette Morello, English
Maria Tully, Spanish
Jessica Valente, Spanish

Roslyn Middle School
Kristine Baxter, English
Tiffany Ebright, Special Education
Kaitlin Gillen, Spanish
Adam Koelsch, Math
Diana Nigro, Math
Peter Okulski, Math
Danielle Poletti, Spanish

East Hills
Christine Flanagan, Psychologist

Harbor Hill
Jennifer Andersen, Art

Tax Levy Lower Than Projected

One of a Number of Signs of District's Fiscal Health

AUG 26, 2008 – In another example of how the district's fiscal health has been continually improving, the Board of Education approved a tax levy on August 14 that is slightly lower than projected at the time of the budget vote in May.

As a result of action taken by the Board, the property tax levy for 2008-09 will increase by 4.79% instead of the 4.87% that was previously projected. This reduction was made possible by the Board approving an administrative recommendation to apply some additional funds that will be available to the district for 2008-09 in accordance with a letter received earlier in August from Harvey Levinson, the chairman of the Nassau County Board of Assessors. The funds became available because the Board of Education has required developers (who in the past benefited from a loophole in the assessment process whenever they purchased exempt property) to pay their fair share of property taxes.

Joseph C. Dragone, Assistant Superintendent for Business, said of the tax levy, "Although this small reduction in property taxes may seem insignificant, it is nevertheless emblematic of the extraordinary efforts made by the Board in minimizing the tax impact on homeowners while protecting the investment our community has made in the public schools."

In addition, the financial markets have recognized Roslyn's successful efforts to restore fiscal credibility. The district has been able to borrow money for tax anticipation notes at an excellent rate of interest (1.64%) due to the recognition of the public marketplace that Roslyn is a good place in which to invest. Combined, the significant savings realized on the sale of these notes and the reduction in the tax levy represent a solid start to the 2008-09 fiscal year for both the children and the taxpayers of Roslyn.

Much Progress on Capital Projects This Summer

More Voter-Approved Work Will Begin in 2008-09

AUG 26, 2008 – Anyone driving past the high school fields on Harbor Hill Road can see that the track has been resurfaced this summer in our high school's colors of blue and white. The refurbishment of this heavily used facility is just the most visible of the many capital projects undertaken in the last few months as part of the district's ongoing capital improvement program.

Among the many other projects completed and/or begun this summer are:
• New drainage work outside the High School gymnasium
• High School gymnasium floor refinishing
• New sidewalks leading to Hilltop Academy alternative high school program
• Sanitary system upgrade
• Fire alarm system upgrades
• Entrance gate to athletic fields (with the support of the Bulldog Boosters)
• Digital copy center
• Parking lot seal coat and stripping
• Harbor Hill and High School main office upgrades
• Community Relations and Adult Education office relocation

Additional projects for which funding has been approved by the voters and which are planned for this year include:
• Middle School auditorium upgrade
• Middle School outdoor athletic facilities upgrade
• High School gymnasium bleachers
• District-wide masonry upgrades
• High School parking lot lighting upgrade
• Heights School steam pipe upgrade

Photos: (first row) Tryouts on the newly resurfaced track at the end of August; recent work includes improvements at the elementary school playgrounds. (second row) Roadways have been repaired and sealed throughout the district; improving drainage around this Heights School stairwell is one among many masonry projects.

New Phone System is Just One of Many Technology Initiatives

Projects Begun This Summer Will Bring Instructional Benefits & Efficiencies

AUG 26, 2008 – The introduction of a new internet-based telephone system is just one of many new initiatives which are aimed at bringing Roslyn a giant step closer to being a state-of-the-art technology school district.

Under the leadership of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Edward A. Salina, Jr., the district is undertaking a wide array of projects that take advantage of many new technologies available today. These projects are aimed at enhancing classroom instruction, improving communications and providing faculty and staff with the tools they need to be most effective as educators.

The phone system works on a voice-over-internet protocol and provides many features that were unavailable on the district's antiquated analog system. For example, staff members now have voicemail for the first time, with voicemail messages instantly forwarded to their email. The integration of Wireless (wi-fi) networks, which will soon be operational in all school buildings, will enable staff and students to use laptop computers and other mobile devices throughout the schools in order to provide greater access to online learning resources and to communicate more quickly and effectively.

New phone numbers can be found online in the district directory.

Other current technology projects include:
• Expanding the number of SmartBoards and mini-computer learning labs districtwide (the F.A.S.T. organization has been a major supporter of this initiative);
• Student management system upgrade to a new web-enabled version of our current system;
• Network switching upgrade to enable the implementation of the phone system and to enhance data transmission within and outside of the district;
• Safari Montage is a video streaming system allowing students and staff to utilize thousands of videos from over 500 sources for enriching our content areas (also a F.A.S.T.-supported effort);
• Electronic identification cards will provide more secure access to all of our facilities and also has many other potential uses by staff and students such as for cafeteria purchases and as a library card;
• Laptop initiative, in conjunction with the wireless networks, provides a powerful tool (initially for secondary teachers) that will enhance internet/research access and communications as well as streamline routine functions such as attendance;
• AESOP update makes the teacher and teacher assistant substitute system more efficient, thereby providing a more efficient system for providing coverage for absent faculty members; and
• Digital copy center, in the process of configuration, will free faculty and staff from the considerable time now spent making copies, enabling them to focus more of their attention on instruction and other essential tasks.

As technologies continue to change, Roslyn will be proactive in developing systems and programs which benefit our students and staff, with the overall goal of creating and maintaining a more efficient and productive educational environment.

Trustees Sworn In and Officers Elected at Reorganization Meeting

Kline and Ben-Levy Will Be President and Vice President

JUL 8, 2008 – The Board of Education held its annual reorganization meeting on July 8. Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy (pictured left) and Clifford Saffron (center) were sworn in as they began the new three-year terms to which they were elected on May 20. Dani Kline (right) was re-elected by the Board to serve as president in 2008-09, and Ms. Ben-Levy was elected to be vice president.

At the annual reorganization meeting, required of school districts in the state at the beginning of the new fiscal year which begins on July 1, the Board of Education makes appointments and reviews procedures concerning numerous legal, financial and administrative functions of the district.

Board Will Honor Former Trustee Sylvia Grossman

During the business meeting which followed the reorganization meeting, Board members agreed to establish an award for a student in memory of Sylvia Grossman, a former trustee who died in June. Ms. Grossman was a community leader who served on the school board in the 1960s and 1970s, including several years as president. The new award will be presented to a graduating senior in June of each year, when the Board has traditionally presented awards to outstanding seniors in honor of distinguished past trustees and superintendents.

Retirees Are Honored for Service

JUN 13, 2008 – Nineteen members of the faculty and staff announced their retirements during the 2007-08 school year. The Board of Education honored retiring staff at its meeting on June 12. These retirees have provided a total of nearly 450 years of service to the school district:

Joan Ambrosino, Guidance Counselor/High School, 43 years
Robert Blacharski,Senior Maintainer, 30 years
Ellen Chinsky, Educational Assistant/Harbor Hill, 13 years
Richard Davis, Custodian/High School, 27 years
Ruth Eichacker, Spanish Teacher/Middle School, 32 years
William Esner, Science Chairperson, 5 years
Patricia Franzen,Food Service Worker/Middle School, 10 years
Amelia Guerin, Custodian/High School, 27 years
Barbara Hochman, Social Worker/High School, 21 years
Marcia Katz , Instructional Assistant/High School, 26 years
Dwight Lewington, Maintainer, 35 years
Lisa Lewis , Math Teacher/High School, 28 years
Donna Nelson , Teacher Assistant/Harbor Hill, 13 years
Maria Perretti, Elementary Teacher/East Hills, 26 years
George Roberson, Bus Driver, 7 years
Mary Sweeney , Reading Teacher/Harbor Hill, 20 years
Anna Tsontakis-Mally, Art Teacher/Harbor Hill, 34 years
Ronald Weaver, Special Education Teacher/High School, 17 years
Barbara Whiter, Math Teacher/High School, 33 years

Photo: Retirees George Roberson, Anna Tsontakis-Mally, Ellen Chinsky and William Esner at the Board's retiree recognition on June 12.

F.A.S.T. Makes a Gift for School Technology

Latest Contribution of $45,000 Will Support Initiatives

JUNE 13, 2008 — Larry Cohen, president of the Foundation for the Advancement of Student Technology, and members of the F.A.S.T. board presented a check for $45,000 to the Roslyn school district at the June 12 meeting of the Board of Education. Over the past six years, F.A.S.T. has raised in excess of $180,000 to help the Roslyn School District to augment its technology initiatives for the benefit of the district's students.

Photo: Members of the Board of Education and district administration accept a contribution from F.A.S.T. board members on June 12. (from l. to r.) Board of Education President Dani Kline, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John A. Richman, F.A.S.T. board members Ellen Broder, Larry Cohen, Danny Herzka, Leslie Herzka, Wendy Siegel, Ron Richman, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Edward Salina and Dr. Dan Brenner.

High School Dedicates Memorial Garden

Honors Four Alumni Lost on 9/11 and Two Beloved Members of the Parent-Faculty Association

JUNE 3, 2008 — Roslyn High School dedicated the Courtyard Memorial Garden on June 3 in memory of four alumni who lost their lives on 9/11 as well as two members of the Parent-Faculty Association who died in recent years.

In a sunlit ceremony in the high school's courtyard on Tuesday afternoon, family members and friends of those being remembered were joined by many students, faculty members, school officials and community members for the special dedication. Six permanent benches bearing the names of each of the individuals were unveiled, as well as a plaque commemorating the garden.

Brittany Katz, president of Roslyn High School's chapter of the National Honor Society, hosted the ceremony. The society worked for several years on the creation of a memorial garden.

In his opening remarks, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John A. Richman observed that a school, which is a community and a place of youth, is an especially appropriate setting to remember individuals who had personal connections to Roslyn and who died in the prime of life. "There is perhaps no better way we can pay tribute to their lives than to create in their memory a place of reflection and inspiration at the very center of our school community," he said.

Tributes were given by friends and relatives. Debbie Buslick spoke about Katie Goldberg, who was deeply involved in the school community and was a leader of both the RCP and PFA. Marty Litt talked about his wife, Stacey Litt, who grew up in Roslyn, returned to raise their children here and was very much involved in the schools. Steven Irgang said that his brother, Douglas Irgang, Class of 1987, an accomplished young man who was killed on 9/11, was his best friend. Jay Scharf talked about his close friend, Allan Shwartzstein, Class of 1982, who also lost his life on 9/11 and in whose memory Mr. Scharf has established an annual scholarship for a Roslyn graduate. Mike Conklin, chief of Roslyn Rescue Company, paid tribute to Peter Langone, Class of 1978, and Thomas Langone, Class of 1980, both of whom were killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center on 9/11, one a fire fighter and the other a police officer. Both served as volunteer firemen in Roslyn.

Principal Kevin Scanlon said that the creation of the garden was the culmination of an effort that began several years ago. He said, "The Memorial Garden is a lasting and living tribute to all the people we honor today."

Contributors to the benches were the Class of 2006, Class of 2007, National Honor Society, Parent Faculty Association, Friends of RCP, F.A.S.T. and Organization of Class Councils. Barco Products also provided generous support.

Photo: Honor Society President Brittany Katz, who hosted the dedication ceremony, welcomes family and friends of the six individuals being honored as well as an audience of Roslyn High School students, faculty and staff, school officials and community members who assembled in the courtyard.

Budget Passes by Wide Margin

Capital Reserve Referendum and Bryant Library Budget Also Approved

MAY 21, 2008 — The 2008-09 school budget was approved on May 20 by a vote of 1,024 to 605. A special proposition authorizing an expenditure from the Capital Reserve Fund was also approved by a margin of 1,132 to 442. The budget for the Bryant Library also passed.

Board trustees Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy and Clifford Saffron were re-elected to three-year terms. They ran unopposed.

Board Adopts Budget for 2008-09

Spending Plan with 4.60% Increase Includes Many New Initiatives;
Capital Project Referendum and Trustee Election Also on the Ballot

APRIL 11, 2008 — By a unanimous vote, the Board of Education adopted a school budget for 2008-09 on April 10 that includes many new initiatives and a continuation of the district's ongoing capital improvement plan. The $94,156,392 budget represents a 4.60% increase over the current year. The tax levy is projected to increase 4.87% with an estimated average property tax increase of 5.66%.

In his letter to the community, Dr. Richman explains that the cost of new instructional initiatives is almost entirely offset by cost savings.

Voters will also elect two trustees to the Board of Education. The candidates (in the order they will appear on the ballot) are incumbents Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy and Clifford Saffron.

Voters will also be asked to vote on a special ballot measure, Proposition 3, which would authorize the Board of Education to expend $1,500,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund for capital projects in 2008-09. A year ago, voters authorized the Board of Education to establish a 10-year Capital Reserve Fund to address ongoing capital needs. The Board transferred $1.5 million into the fund in 2007-08, and may transfer up to $2.5 million annually to a maximum of $10 million. Approval of Proposition 3 will not increase taxes in the 2008-09 school year as these funds were previously set aside for this purpose.

Also on the ballot will be the election of two school board trustees and the Bryant Library's 2008-09 budget. Residents must be registered to vote prior to the election. For voter information, call 625-6599.

Voting will take place on Tuesday, May 20 from 7am to 9pm in the Roslyn High School gymnasium.

[NOTE: The estimated average tax increase was updated based on new information received from the Nassau County Department of Assessment on May 2, 2008. The average estimated tax increase of 5.66% is lower than the 5.92% projection in the printed edition of the SCOPE newsletter, which went to press prior to the receipt of the revised assessment information.]

[Note: Following adoption of the budget by the Board on April 10, the district received word that its mandated appropriation for the Nassau BOCES administrative budget allocation for the Roslyn School District for 2008-09 had been reduced by $22,607. Consequently, the proposed budget has been reduced by that amount. Some earlier published accounts of the proposed budget were $22,607 higher than the correct total of $94,156,392 reported here.]

• Dr. Richman's Letter to the Community
• Proposed Budget 2008-09
• Budget Newsletter including the Board's message to the community
• Tax Projection and Homeowners' Tax Calculator
• Absentee Ballot Application

Kathleen Rice Addresses Board and Community

District Attorney Gives Update on Embezzlement Case & Restitution Efforts

MARCH 18, 2008 — Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice addressed the Roslyn school community on March 18 at Roslyn Middle School to provide an update on the embezzlement case and on the continuing efforts to recover stolen funds. She was joined in her presentation by Assistant District Attorney Peter Mancuso, who was the lead prosecutor in the case, and Robert Nigro, who has led the restitution effort in the D.A.'s Civil Forfeiture Division.

Ms Rice credited Mr. Mancuso for building such a strong case against each of the defendants that none had to go to trial to obtain convictions. Mr. Mancuso reviewed the cases against the six individuals who were convicted and gave an update on the sentences handed down to each of them. Four are currently serving prison sentences: the former superintendent, Frank Tassone; former assistant superintendent for business, Pamela Gluckin; former account clerk, Debra Rigano; and Tassone's partner, Stephen Signorelli. The district's former auditor, Andrew Miller, already completed his prison sentence, and one defendant, Gluckin's son, provided full restitution did not serve time in prison.

On the matter of restitution, Ms Rice and her colleagues noted that it is unusual to be able to recover large amounts of money in thefts of this size because the stolen funds are normally spent by the defendants. The district has therefore been very fortunate to have recovered $5.5 million to date through the seizure and forfeiture of money and property as well as settlements in civil suits. Restitution efforts are ongoing, both through the D.A.'s office and civil litigation brought by the Board of Education. For example, a recent auction of art and jewelry bought by two of the defendants brought an additional $30,000 to the district, and payments from Gluckin's pension are made to the district every month.

Prior to the meeting, the district attorney toured the middle school building with members of the Board and district administration, where she was shown some of the construction deficiencies in the expansion and renovation project that was undertaken earlier in this decade. One of the ongoing areas of litigation is against the general contractor, construction manager and architect in an effort to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars the district has had to expend to correct numerous defects.

Photos: (top left) District Attorney Kathleen Rice addresses the Roslyn community at the middle school on March 18. (bottom right) Ms. Rice with members of the Board of Education before the meeting as they reviewed the basis for litigation concerning construction in the middle school building.

A New Principal is Appointed for East Hills School

FEBRUARY 1, 2008 — Allison Brown-Feldman has been appointed as the new principal of the East Hills School. She will assume her position on July 1, 2008.

Ms. Brown-Feldman is currently principal of the James H. Vernon Elementary School in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District. She also served as principal of the Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School in the same district from 2001 to 2007. Prior to that she taught in the Rockville Centre school district. Ms. Brown-Feldman is a graduate of SUNY Oneonta with a BS in Elementary Education, and earned a master's degree in Special Education from Hofstra University.

"We are very fortunate to have been able to find a candidate as exceptional as Allison Brown-Feldman," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. John A. Richman. "I am confident that she will provide outstanding educational leadership for the East Hills School in the years to come."

Dr. Mark Rosenbaum is serving as the East Hills School principal on an interim basis for the 2007-08 school year.

Rev. Joel L. King, Jr. Visits Roslyn Middle and High Schools

Cousin of Martin Luther King, Jr. Brings Inspirational Message to Students

JANUARY 16, 2008 — The Rev. Joel L. King, Jr., a minister from Ohio who is first cousin to Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered several addresses to Roslyn students and others as the Roslyn community observed the birthday of Dr. King.

Rev. King visited the Roslyn Middle School on January 14 and Roslyn High School on January 15, speaking to a series of assemblies that included the entire student bodies of both schools. He challenged students to overcome hatred by reaching out to people they don't know, to follow their dreams for a better future, and to make a difference in the world. "You are not the future, you are the present," he told them.

In describing the historical roots of the civil rights movement, Rev. King encouraged students to be involved in events, to participate in our democracy and to never take our freedoms for granted. He reminded students that not only Martin Luther King, Jr., but many others have given their lives for our rights and freedoms and that we honor their sacrifice by being full participants in society.

Rev. King was also the featured speaker at the annual community program on Tuesday evening, which is co-sponsored by the Roslyn School District and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Committee.

Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 79 years old on January 15. April 4 will be the 40th anniversary of his assassination.

Photos: (top left) Rev. King speaking to an audience of high school students on Tuesday, January 15. (top right) Rev. Joel L. King, Jr. greets students at the Roslyn Middle School before addressing assemblies there on Monday, January 14. (bottom left) High School students engage Rev. King in discussion following the assemblies on Tuesday. (bottom right) Dominique Ingram was the host for the annual community program in honor of the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Tuesday evening in the Roslyn Middle School auditorium.

Superintendent Presents at State School Boards Convention

Alternative Negotiation Methods is Topic at Well-Attended Session

NOV 2, 2007 — Dr. John Richman gave a presentation entitled "Negotiating So Everybody Wins" at the annual conference of the New York State School Boards Association in New York City on October 27. Some 150 school administrators and board of education members from across the state attended this presentation at the Sheraton Hotel on alternative methods to traditional negotiations.

Based upon the principles of William Ury, author of "Getting To Yes", and the work of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard University, participants were able to understand how this "interest-based" process can increase opportunities for success which benefit both sides in a negotiation. Dr. Richman was joined in making the presentation by two of his former colleagues from the Plainedge Public Schools, Chris P'Simer, the current superintendent of schools in Plainedge, and Laura Pokorny, the president of the Plainedge Federation of Teachers. They held everyone's attention with interactive activities to demonstrate how both sides can win in negotiations.

View Dr. Richman's PowerPoint Presentation

School Bus Safety is Everyone's Concern

Observance of National School Bus Safety Week

OCT 22, 2007 —During National School Bus Safety Week, October 22-26, it is a good time to recognize the exemplary safety record of our bus drivers and take a few moments to remember that everyone has a role to play in school bus safety.

More than 2.3 million children in New York ride to and from school every day on the safest form of travel in the nation: a yellow school bus. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children are nearly eight times safer riding in a school bus than with their own parents in their cars.

According to the New York Association for Pupil Transportation, a New York school student will step onto or off a school bus over 1.6 billion times during this school year. The goal of all school transportation professionals is to ensure a safe and secure experience each and every time children board or leave one of our buses. Motorists have a responsibility, too: to STOP whenever they see the red flashing lights and extended stop sign on the school bus. Short of a DWI conviction, failing to stop for a school bus carries the most serious fines and the most points of any driving violation.

Like school bus drivers throughout the state, Roslyn's drivers undertake extensive preparation and training and are also subject to background checks and physical performance tests that assure their worthiness to drive the yellow school bus. Advanced routing systems and a highly experienced staff helps to get children to and from school as safely, efficiently and quickly as possible.

The New York State Legislature has designated October 24 as School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. It is an opportunity to acknowledge our drivers for their professionalism and to commit ourselves to a continuing effort on behalf of child safety.

PHOTO: ALEX KASSIMIR

An Unforgettable Homecoming
OCT 15, 2007 —

Roslyn celebrated Homecoming '07 on Saturday, October 13. It was an exquisite autumn day that matched the spirit of the students and the extraordinary crowds that came out to cheer them on. The slide show highlights many of the weekend's events, from the pep rally on Friday afternoon through Saturday morning's varsity boys' soccer game, breakfast, parade, dedication of the new turf field, varsity football game and the Marching Bulldogs' halftime show.