Letters To The Editor
Email: editor@ gcnews.com

What Are We Getting?

To The Editor:

I was disturbed to read that the Garden City school Board hired 15 new administrators for the 2006-07 school year ("Teacher Contract Expected Soon," Garden City News, Sept 22, 2006.) Do we really need so many deputy superintendents, assistant superintendents, assistant principals and curriculum coordinators? With all these administrators no wonder my school tax bill now exceeds my village tax bill.

And what are we getting for our money? On the same day that the Garden City News published the news about the 15 new administrators, Newsday reported on page A44 that Garden City's sixth grade students were ranked in 12 th place among all school districts in Nassau County on the state English exams. (That is 12 th place in Nassau County, not Nassau and Suffolk Counties combined.) I hope the Board of Education will remember the residents of this village who are retired and living on fixed incomes as they finalize negotiations on the new school contract.

Christina Chiu

What Is Cost?

To the Editor

In a page one article in last week's Garden City News an assistant to the superintendent, Fino Celano, reported that the Garden City Board of Education just hired 15 new administrators and 46 new teachers. It would have been helpful if Mr. Celano had indicated how many of the 61 new positions were replacements and how many were new, added positions. And at what cost to the taxpayers?

Leo V. Stimmler

Editor's Note: According to Fino Celano, assistant to the superintendent, the 15 administrative positions include nine new positions (eight curriculum coordinators and an assistant director of PPS/special education). The coordinators came as a result of a reorganization and cost the district $160,000, or the equivalent of two full-time employees. The assistant director position did not cost the district any more money because prior to this year a teacher had been covering the job.

The other six positions are replacements (assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, assist. super. for business & finance, PPS director, high school principal and assistant principal and Locust principal).

Those who are filling positions left vacant due to child-care leave, retirements or resignations usually cost the district less because their experience level, and therefore salary, is usually lower than the person who left the position.

The 46 teaching positions include 2.5 new positions: a foreign language teacher at the elementary school level (FLES), a new teacher at Locust which was needed because of an enrollment increase and a part-time psychologist. The cost of these positions totals $200,000.

Celano noted that all positions were included in the budget.

Pork Barrel?

To The Editor:

After reading about the 5 million dollar grant application for St. Paul's (9/22/06), I looked through the Empire State Development Corporation website. I didn't see any listings there for "Towns That Have Plenty Of Money But Would Rather Spend Someone Else's".

In the same story, Mr. O'Hearn says the money would "fall far short of the need, but...there is also a possibility of more..." There is a difference between "want" and "need". This is highlighted by Trustee Rothschild's assertion that the Village can turn down the money if the grant is awarded, noting that the Village might have to come up with $500,000 of its own. Perhaps he should check the ESDC website for the "Just Give Us The Money Already" grant.

It was noted that 7 to 9 proposals for development have been received since June. I would guess that if you asked the Board of Trustees if they are in favor of Government pork projects and using their own tax dollars to support building in Westchester or East New York, they would say no, but, when it works the other way around, they love it!

Dan Oppenheimer

Adult Bullying

To the Editor:

Recently, my family and I became recipients of adult bullying. On a number of levels, I am bothered by this bullying, and, after much consideration as to how to address it (including ideas ranging from strictly ignoring it all the way through the severely immature declaration of full blown war and all out revenge), I have decided to write about it.

Over the past number of years, the Garden City School District has sponsored a multitude of programs to address this very damaging yet insidious topic within our student population. The district has employed special consultants, trained its teachers and staff, instituted a strong "character education" program (which can be viewed at school websites), and invited parents to become more involved in identifying and preventing bullying.

Through this school district sponsored ongoing adult education, including promotion of attendance at Adelphi University for a nationally launched program dealing with kindness and safety in our schools, I have learned: 1) Words can be even more harmful than fists as they can permanently damage the psyche; 2) If you are present when bullying occurs but remain "neutral", you are a part of the bullying; 3) The best way to address bullying is to ban together against it and not allow the bully to hurt. The bully will get the message through the combination of ostracism and strength in numbers; and 4) Had there been stronger awareness and intervention, episodes such as "Columbine" would not be such an educational threat.

Within the first week of school this year, Newsday published results of the Roslyn-based Child Abuse Prevention Services research released from their annual bullying survey (given to 1,307 middle public and private school students across Long Island). "More than half surveyed said gossiping and rumors are the most popular forms of bullying...That two out of five students reported that they did nothing the last time they witnessed someone being bullied.... 'a culture of apathy'...". The recommendation was "students need to learn to safely intervene by telling an adult about bullying incidents".

On September 14th, the show "Prime Time" dedicated an entire hour to the topic of bullying, focusing both on the educational crusade of the father of a boy who committed suicide due to bullying, and on a self-proclaimed former adult bully. Together, this pair chose to be pro-active, lecturing nationwide against bullying. The airing of this show took place during one of the district's "Back to School Nights", but is available for purchase on the show's website.

During my tenure of living in this beautiful town as both child and adult, I have no recollection of feeling bullied, yet have adult friends who adamantly claim they experience it more regularly than one would expect. Admittedly, I have been known to be a little "socially clue-less", albeit feigned. I've found this "feigned naiveté" to be beneficial and good cover for personal choice, commitment, and refusal to take part in negativity. Believing in "what comes around goes around", I fear negative karma and do my best to both be kind and to stay away from opportunities of evil. By far, I am no saint or angel and confess that my own lips have slipped to take part in gossip and rumor. When this occurs, I physically feel encumbered. All sense of personal empowerment and integrity is mired. These are just signs reminding me that I need greater focus in my life, more humility, re-direction, and purpose. The energy wasted on review of another's life could have had much greater benefit had I focused on my own life and the well-being of my family.

While everyone does "slip" every once in awhile, that "slip" I assure you, is damaging. No matter what the circumstance of those involved, gossip, rumors and bullying on ANY level are all corrosive. In my case, the "bully" is a church-going, well-educated, "professional", and mother. Her audience members were all "respectable citizens" and high level "professionals".

Maybe the bullying would not have bothered me so much if: 1) I hadn't considered we were all friendly and "good neighbors". (But, no one seemed to have amnesty from it in the past, so why should I have considered myself immune)?; 2) Someone/ anyone had either stuck up for me/ my family or nipped it in the bud; 3) It hadn't been so personal, mean-spirited, and hurtful; 4) I didn't have young children who could be truly damaged by this gossip; and 5) These things had not been said at a very loud, outdoor party that could be heard through our closed bedroom window!

While my family now ranks amongst the many subjects of the bully's voiced disparage (there are always others), the ongoing loud parties and general loudness is a repeated bullying of self-imposed "King of the Mountain-like" entitlement (a.k.a. "block ownership") which continually keeps us and most assuredly our elderly neighbors awake on many, many an evening (not to mention mornings and afternoons). It is a regular annoyance and - Yes, the statements were most likely fueled by too much alcohol (which releases normal inhibitions to keep one's voice low when gossiping about one's neighbors). All that said, there remains NO justification for such un-kindness, dis-respect, negativity, slander, and mal-intent.

Being a bit distracted by all of this and feeling dis-heartened, yet also being aware that it could be used as a "learning and sharing opportunity" with my young child, I explained: "Sorry I'm not so much fun today. I'm thinking about someone who hurt my feelings when she said some un-kind things about me behind my back. I'm bothered by it and I'm hurt that the people I thought were my 'friends' both generated and participated in this negativity". It was my CHILD who told me: "She's a bully. Stay away from her and stay with the people who are nice".

Seems that the Garden City School District's character education program is coming along quite nicely! I wonder if the Adult Education division would consider offering a course geared toward the ADULT bully? I further wonder which adults our children will go to for intervention (instead of remaining "apathetic") if the parents themselves are bullies and apathetic?

Well, my family and I will be away again this weekend as the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur ("Day of Atonement") affords us a three day sabbatical from school, as does next weekend's celebration of Columbus Day. (My "good neighbors" had thought we were away last weekend ... Somehow, our comings and goings are a matter for their reflection and discussion, amongst the many other items open for their scrutiny). This time, will they choose this "Day of Atonement" as an opportunity to reflect on their bullying and "atone", or instead choose to perpetuate this nationwide problem of bullying and further the gossip? Time will tell...

As a mental health practitioner/ administrator with 20 years professional experience, I am accustomed to sending reports and publications out for professional editing and apologize for grammatical errors and run-on. I mention this only to further highlight my point: NO ONE, no matter age, education, professional training, ethnicity, gender, religion, partnering choice, status, etcetera is hardened to the damage of bullying. It hurts. It will not go away unless we recognize it and choose to do something about it as individuals and as a community. The last weekend of September marks "Family Health & Fitness Day" and Sunday, October 1st begins the district's character education training on "respect". How much better could our community be if we ALL focused on personal atonement, mental health, and respect for one another? The outcome might even raise real estate values!

Name Signed But Withheld By The Editor

A Wonderful Experience

To the Editor:

After almost eighteen wonderful years as Public Relations Consultant to the Garden City Schools, I am no longer with the district. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the great people who made my experiences so rewarding and also so much fun. To the Garden City News, and especially Meg and Ed Norris, thank you. You do an outstanding job and never once complained when I said over and over, "It just has to get in!"

Without the principals, assistant principals, teachers and staff, there would be no Public Relations Program. When I haunted them for news, they produced something great. Thanks also to Ronnie Agostinelli, the best proof reader around. The bus drivers deserve a huge round of applause, as they were always there to get the releases to the newspapers on time.

Over the years, I did an enormous number of special events and our local merchants added to the success of these ventures. Hengstenberg's Florist, Things and Stuff, Prime, Culinary Heights, Manor Fruit Shack, Michelle's Hallmark, and to any others I may have missed, your product was consistently perfect and of the highest quality. The real heroes in the area of special events were the custodians. It couldn't have been done without them!

Working with the students and community was the highlight of my career. The first day of school with all those adorable kindergarten children was truly a favorite of mine. Sharing so many experiences with so many terrific young people was really very special. Homecoming and other events that were cooperative efforts with the Chamber of Commerce and the Village were a privilege to be a part of.

The Adult Education office has been my home for these many years. To Susan Schweitzer, Alice Zapf and Robert Palmer, my loyal friends, "You're the best!" Always ready to help to get the job done and done well.

In closing, I hope to see you in another venue. Thank you to all for your efforts and friendship.

Carole Dean