Letters to the Editor

From:        Wayne White
5/20/2013  

Subject: Budget Vote & Trustee Election, Tuesday, May 21, Bellport Middle School

 

It’s time to fix the South Country School District!  One scandal after another!  Cronyism and Nepotism!  

VOTE for DeVito, Herrmann & Morales for School Board Trustees
 

Rocco DeVito

"My wife and I have two grown children who graduated from Bellport H.S.  I spent five of my ten years in the military teaching teenagers fresh from high school how to maintain electronic equipment, so I understand first-hand the core education requirements our children need as they enter the world". 

 

Carol Herrmann

"As a school district PTA President I have worked with many families. This valuable communication experience will be helpful in our mission of bringing our community together. I believe that my experience as a teacher with NY State Standards and the new Common Core curriculum gives me insight into the responsibility of a Board of Education trustee".

 

Julio Morales

"I am a father of two children who graduated from our school district and one who currently attends Bellport H.S. I am currently serving as President of the Board of Education".  (Note: Mr. Morales opposed the recent spending of $550,000 of taxpayer’s money for an employee settlement. Sadly, the two other incumbents running for re-election, Owen Durney and Marian McKenna voted for it). 

 

In addition to voting for Trustee's, there are three Propositions to vote on-
 

(1) BUDGET Proposition- Vote YES

(2) Proposition 2 - Vote NO

(3) Proposition 3 - Vote YES
 

Budget Vote & Trustee Election, Tuesday, May 21, Bellport Middle School

35 Kreamer St, Bellport    Polls Open 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Wayne White

From:        Alan Hildenbrand
4/12/2013  

  
As an elementary  phys ed teacher I administered the Presidents Physical Fitness test from 1976 until I retired in 2003. Until '76,  Longwood never gave it. I tested kids just like I did as a drill sergeant...no favors, no exceptions to anyone (even my oldest son who could not reach 5'6" on the standing broad jump in 3rd grade...wife not happy) .

I kept very accurate records as I always offered retests to those who worked out/practiced after the two week in class testing period was over. In my final years, I really enjoyed having children of former students visit my office and we would look at their parents scores from 2nd grade to 5th from as many as 25 years earlier.  Parents always were surprised I still had their scores.  Young teachers who attended the same school  where they teach  would show their scores to their students.

In my final year, I took all my score sheets home and started doing a statistical analysis for the test over my years in Longwood.  I prepared a lengthy report and was able to tie the demise of fitness to the decrease in PE class time, and available recess time ( kids were prevented from going outside) but overall, the downward spiral of  success on the SAME test throughout my career. I refused to modify the test ( make it easier) unlike many schools did.

Here's what I can remember;  In the 70's....   60% of all students earned the RED patch for 50th percentile on all tests and 15% won the BLUE or Presidents Patch ( they got a "letter" from the Pres of the US). When I left...7% of the students got the RED patch and only 11 students out of 700 got the BLUE.  Pretty bad huh?  If I got my pay based on student performance I would still owe Longwood money.

I prepared a report on my computer( I actually liked doing it).  I made copies for teachers and administrators and sent it out. Guess how many people responded? NONE...not even a comment like "interesting" or "why did you keep all those sheets?"  or "how long did the stats take you?"

Was I surprised, no?   I knew it was time for me to "go home" .  I'm glad I did...

Alan Hildenbrand

    

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