It was an evening of recognitions as the Lynbrook Board of Education praised several outstanding students at the Lynbrook Public Schools Board of Education meeting on Nov. 13. The community also heard important updates, including a presentation on the Advanced Placement and Regents assessment results.
Lynbrook High School senior Djellza Pulatani was honored for being selected as a girls panelist for the nonprofit advocacy group She’s the First, in partnership with Akili Dada and MAIA. She was one of six girls to travel to the United Nations to present the first Global Girls’ Bill of Rights. The board also recognized Commended Students Sara Bahri, Charles Gebbia and Julianne Lampert and Semifinalist Anna Rath in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
As a result of showing their exceptional characters, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Melissa Burak praised Lynbrook North Middle School student-athletes David Barrere and T.J. Sexton for their outstanding sportsmanship at a recent cross country meet. During a race, the two students witnessed a runner from an opposing team fall down and injury himself. Barrere and Sexton picked him up and walked him about 100 yards back to the coaches and the starting line.
“That great sportsmanship is what we are all about,” said Dr. Burak. “People are going to remember how you treat them, not all the accomplishments that you have earned.”
Lynbrook High School student Michael Frank was also honored for his incredible act of kindness. Frank was recently at a local eatery during his lunch period when he saw a man choking on food and swept in to perform the Heimlich maneuver. His quick action saved the man’s life.
In addition to the recognitions, Board Secretary Robert Paskoff and trustee Alicemarie Bresnihan spoke about their experience attending the New York State School Board Conference and Board Vice President Lesli Deninno provided a facilities committee update. The committee recently looked at the completed summer projects, reviewed possibilities and needs for the upcoming budget, discussed the security vestibules and the upcoming high school project and reviewed the findings of the board walk-throughs.
The board and the community also heard from Dr. Gerard Beleckas, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment. He presented the districtwide AP and Regents assessment results at the middle and high school level.
“Our students on average are taking more of the assessments than students in other schools in the county and they are doing better on the ones that they are taking,” he said.
Dr. Beleckas also shared a timeline of the New York State Education Department’s new assessments and reported changes that are expected to occur with some of the exams.
During the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Burak discussed the Reimagining Readiness Conference which is the first of three conference days that a team from Lynbrook, including Dr. Burak, attended. Educators gathered to examine what is needed to graduate and how to prepare students for life after graduation. Dr. Burak also reported on Superintendent’s Conference Day which was held on Election Day. The district partnered with the Lynbrook Teacher Center who helped organize different workshops. Staff members shared their expertise on various topics and trainings were facilitated.
Before the close of the meeting, Dr. Paul Lynch, assistant superintendent for finance, operations, and information systems, provided a capital projects update. There are currently three bids out for the air conditioning at Marion Street and West End elementary schools and the Waverly Park elevator. Dr. Lynch stated that the bids will be opened in the Atlantic Avenue board room on Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. and the public is welcome to attend.