State's New Security Chief Attends Superintendent's Conference Day

New York State's recently appointed Deputy Secretary for Homeland Security Michael Balboni, Garden City High School Class of 1977, right, looking over old test papers that Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator Doug Sheer located among the High School archives.

Michael Balboni, Garden City High School Class of 1977 and the state's recently appointed Deputy Secretary for Public Safety, returned to Garden City High School this month to meet with Social Studies and English Teachers at Superintendent's Conference Day.

Mr. Balboni thanked those in the audience for choosing teaching as a career. "My teachers here were companions on a journey," he said. "What I remember the most is their optimism and a sense that together anything is possible."

Mr. Balboni, who served in the New York State Senate and Assembly for 18 years, noted that the ability to communicate reliably during emergencies is a key security challenge for New York State, whether the threat is natural or manmade. He told the teachers assembled in the High School cafeteria that the state is moving toward an alphanumeric-based emergency communications system with voice capability, a method that has been shown to be both reliable and efficient for emergency management.

Fine Arts teachers took printmaking, drawing, and arts advocacy workshops at the Art League of Long Island in Dix Hills.

"The opportunity for Mr. Balboni to reflect on his formative years attending Garden City schools was a wonderful chance for teachers to hear how much influence they have on young people and how instrumental teachers can be in helping students reach their potential," Social Studies Coordinator Douglas Sheer said. "It is a message that Mr. Balboni brought home to us as he described his experience here as a student and the tremendous responsibilities he has today for ensuring the safety of New York State residents."

Superintendent's Conference Day provides an opportunity for teachers, administrators and support staff to explore topics relevant to education and to focus on improving the skills they need to excel at their jobs. "The resource we need the most and that we have the least of is time," Superintendent Robert Feirsen told the assembly. "Well, today we have found some time for reflection and discussion with our colleagues and with leading experts in our fields."

Garden City Middle School Principal Peter Osroff with keynote speaker Jay Rifenbary.

Other presenters included keynote speaker Jay Rifenbary, president of the Rifenbary Training & Development Center and author of the book No Excuse! Key Principles for Balancing Life and Achieving Success, and Rakesh Gupta, Ph.D., associate dean at Adelphi University School of Business.

Mr. Rifenbary stressed the importance of character education, a fundamental component of the Garden City School District curriculum. Dr. Gupta offered business and technology teachers his perspectives on preparing students for college-level business training.

In addition, David Fryling, A.Mus.D, offered a workshop on rehearsal technique and conducting for music staff and Ray Greenwell, Ph.D., led a workshop for mathematics teachers. Both professors teach at Hofstra University.

Throughout the day, academic, administrative, and support staff attended a variety of workshops, both on campus and off. There were sessions about Long Island History, interactive whiteboard technology, website design, mastering New York State assessment requirements, the new state math curriculum, working with student's who have autism and other special needs, and many other topics. In addition, bus drivers and cafeteria monitors got tips on positive lunchtime supervision, while custodians learned about maintaining good indoor air quality and paraprofessionals learned how to implement effective student behavior management strategies.

Off site, library media specialists met with staff at the Garden City Public Library; fine arts teachers attended a conference at the Long Island Art League in Dix Hills; and guidance counselors and social workers participated in workshops at North Shore Child and Family Guidance Bereavement and Trauma Center in Westbury.