Friday, December 8, 2017
Vol. 94, No.12
FOUNDED 1923
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LOCALLY OWNED AND EDITED
Vespers service PAGE 20 n "Kids Need More" PAGE 49
School Board examines pre-college education
HO HO HAPPY HOLIDAYS
BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
businesses to address the EAB members once more specific data, information and industry analysis is performed. A subcommittee of EAB members – Laurence Quinn, Evelyn Fasano, and Elizabeth Bailey have volunteered to gather information on gasoline versus electric-powered leafblowers, how dangerous to human health and the environment each one is, and how practical it could be for the Village of Garden City “to switch over to electric-powered leafblowers.”
At its work session on Monday night, December 4, the Garden City Board of Education listened to administrators present the annual Student Achievement Report in regard to preparation for college. Board of Education President Angela Heineman asked about Garden City High School college-level courses currently offered, and with them a possible shift of high school students from the traditional Advanced Placement (AP) liberal arts courses and into the college-level classes. She said there was a significant jump from the numbers in 2014-2015 and each subsequent year including last year, 2016-2017. She wondered aloud if the district saw the enrollments go up as a result of its Project Lead the Way initiative, which grew from one course three years ago to its latest expansion in 2017-2018, Computer Integrated Manufacturing. AT the time the plan for the course was introduced, then-Superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen noted that it as “third and exciting final piece, the last of a Project Lead the Way sequence for high schoolers.” The 2016-2107 schools budget created two sections of Principles of Engineering, the second of the high school P.L.T.W. courses. Garden City Schools’ administrators answered that there’s a number of factors related to the enrollment. Dr. Edward Cannone, the district’s assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, says Garden City does not have a problem of eroding AP courses. His message to the board was that it was a lateral shift – “nothing succeeds like success.” “My gut instinct tells me we have a significant number of overlaps from the students in college-level courses and those in the AP courses, without having exact numbers at hand. When students see classmates, older siblings and neighbors having success at doing both it makes it attractive for them to do so too. I would not be surprised if students recognize the value for the money (college credits) and the success of the students who went before them,” he told the school board. The board discussed the general course concentration at Garden City High School too, and Dr. Cannone said dedication from faculty and staff in Garden City Schools is unrivaled. “I see the depth of knowledge our teachers have about their students – that is the macro view. Students who are in the middle would not get overlooked. But it can’t happen without teachers, careful planning on the district level and the parents at home, WE have also had a number of pretty amazing highlights as Garden City High School was named a national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence,” he said. Cannone adds that the benchmarks for the Garden City district changes as its students change and the program can adapt as standards change, such as with New York State’s science standards. “It’s important to start with the end in mind. When you look at
See page 58
See page 58
Santa arrived in Garden City aboard a fire truck at last weekend's Christmas tree lighting. The event, held at the Gazebo, was run by the Chamber of Commerce. See pages 54-55
Environmental Board, GCHS students examine effects of leaf blowers BY RIKKI N. MASSAND Following initial research and a speaker presentation in late October at the Golf Club Lane Senior Center, Garden City’s Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) has decided to hold a special subcommittee meeting on leafblowers and their adverse impacts on public health, safety, air and land pollution in the village and other issues on Wednesday, January 10 at 8 p.m. For that evening’s meeting the EAB and village officials
will invite local landscaping companies to participate and discuss their use of leafblowers and the potential to use electric instead of gasoline-powered blowers. Present for the EAB’s November 29 meeting inside Village Hall were four company representatives from Garden City’s current contractor landscaping service, Con Kel Landscaping of Floral Park, including principal, John M. Power. EAB Chairman and Village Trustee John Delany said that he prefers an opportunity for the landscaping
GCHS Boys Fencing team opens season, defends title A Festival of Lessons and Carols at Cathedral PAGE 22
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