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Schools

District Notebook: Budget Timeline and "Green Cleaning" Award

East Meadow's Board of Education discusses budget presentations, district student awards and continuing staff development.

The East Meadow Board of Education held a communications meeting on Thursday, Mar. 31 at the . Here is a summary of some of the issues discussed during the session:

Budget Finalization and Timeline

The Board of Education is expected to finalize and adopt the 2011-2012 budget at its work session on Thursday, Apr. 11, according to Superintendent Louis DeAngelo.

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DeAngelo and other members of the Board of Education will present the finalized budget at each school throughout April and the beginning of May. This is a chance for residents to gain insight into the proposed spending plan for the next school year.

The school presentations are as follows:

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  • April 11 – at 7 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.
  • April 12 – at 1 p.m., at 7:30 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.
  • April 27 – at 7:30 p.m.
  • May 4 – at 7:30 p.m. and a combined meeting for SEPTA and at 7 p.m.

“I look forward to attending each of our schools' PTA meetings in the next weeks to discuss the specifics of the 2011-2012 spending plan,” said DeAngelo during the meeting on Thursday night. “Our Board of Education and administration has worked very hard to put together this spending plan, which we believe is fair to our students, staff and to the community at large.”

The formal budget presentation will take place on May 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Leon J. Campo Center. The budget vote and trustee election will be held on May 17.

Students Recognized with Various Honors

Over the past month, numerous students within the East Meadow School District have received prestigious awards and recognition.

“We are proud to announce that Naman Shakrani, a sixth grader at , won the Long Island Jewish World Spelling Bee on Mar. 10,” DeAngelo said. “Congratulations to Naman and to his family and teachers.”

Shakrani took first place in the competition with the word “noctograpth.” He will be progressing to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in June, representing all of Long Island.

student Arjan Singh won first place in Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan at the 2011 DECA New York State Conference. Singh will attend the International DECA Conference in Orlando, Florida to compete against students from the US, Hawaii, Guam and Germany.

“Arjan was also elected Parliamentarian of New York State DECA,” Trustee Marcee Rubinstein said during the monthly education report. “ This is the first time a Clarke student has held a state office.”

freshmen received honorable mentions for their projects in the Toshiba Exploravision competition. Robert Barracca and Joshua Varughese, in addition to Katrina Bamba and Nathan Siegelaub, were recognized for their respective projects. In order to attain an honorable mention, students must place in the top 10 percent of the country.

District Wins “Green Cleaning” Award

The district was awarded the 2010 “Green Cleaning” award from the American School and University Magazine in the "K-12" category.

According to the publication, East Meadow now uses "green floor waxes for the gymnasiums," LED lighting on outside fixtures, preventative maintenance on machinery to reduce energy consumption and the replacement of ammonia cleaning products with greener alternatives, along with other environmentally friendly programs.

“The East Meadow School District is pleased to have been awarded the top honor nationally as a district which makes a green cleaning a priority, therefore creating a healthier learning and working environment for students, teachers and staff from the American School and University Magazine publication,” DeAngelo stated.

He congratulated Director of Facilities and Operations Patrick Pizzo and the entire custodial staff for “their efforts in this area.” The district progressed in ranking this year, as they received an honorable mention for 2009, according to the American School and University Magazine.

Staff Continues Professional Development

 and teachers recently attended lectures and workshops with development presenter Judy Dodge to discuss different types of classroom instruction, the personnel report said. Teachers were able to examine varying teaching styles and assessment methods to assist all students in the learning process.

Additionally, Literacy Specialist Michelle Delaney conducted training for and  teachers on phonics in young classrooms, including kindergarten and first grade.

“Out East Meadow staff continues to be involved in professional development and career enhancement activities across a number of academic areas which contribute greatly to the instructional programs provided to our East Meadow students,” said Trustee Corey Fanelli in the monthly personnel report.

The Board of Education will hold a work session on Apr. 11 at the Salisbury Center. The next communications meeting will take place on Apr. 28.

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