FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL PTA DIRECTOR Liz Menges, directorhs@gardencitypta.org Senior Privileges (Open Campus) - Garden City High School allows seniors the privilege of leaving the campus during their free periods and lunch. The question of closing the campus comes up regularly, especially when there is a tragedy, similar to the one in West Hempstead recently. Here's how Dr. Feirsen responded to that question at the PTA Town Hall Meeting back in November: Question - With the recent accident in Smithtown, and the one a few years ago in Jericho, are there any plans to revoke the senior privilege of “open campus.” Dr. Feirsen - "This is an issue that every district is dealing with. When speaking with parents, they are equally divided on whether the campus should be open or closed. In this district, open campus is a deeply seated tradition; however, closing the campus may be an issue we want to study. However, for now it will stay in place and is open to only seniors. Having an open campus gives seniors some experience as to the responsibility they will have when they are away at college. If it is an important issue, it should be a community discussion and include the children as this will directly affect them."

HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM CORNER Pam O'Conor, Pam Adams, Karen Ciccone IB Program at Garden City High School? Fostering effective and timely communication among parents and between parents and the schools is one of the main charges of the PTA. To encourage that communication, we invited Dr. Prendergast, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, to our high school PTA meeting last week where she led a panel of high school teachers and administrators in a discussion of the International Baccalaureate --- or IB ---Program. The panel, which also included Dr. Bacotti, Ms. Bennington, Mr. Rebolini, Ms. Nuzzi and Ms. Mannion, provided high school parents with an update on the district's ongoing evaluation of the merits of the IB program, and whether that program is an appropriate addition to the high school curriculum. Discussion included some comparison of AP and IB philosophy, IB impact on college admissions, impact of IB on the school budget, teacher training for IB, and much more. There will be a "next steps" presentation to the Board of Education on Monday, May 19th at 8:15pm.

ASK THE PTA DIRECTOR No Pool Party...What Now? PTA 12th Grade Adelphi Dinner Dance and Pool Party As you know, the PTA can no longer sponsor the Pool Party which has followed the Adelphi Dance on graduation night. Many people have asked me if other community groups would take over the sponsorship. The Garden City Community Council Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, sponsors of Promapalooza, can't divert resources or manpower to sponsor the pool party. The Men's Association sponsors the Mother-Son and Father-Daughter dances, and also can't divert resources to sponsor the pool party. Board of Ed president, Mr. Ken Monaghan, said that the school does not have any plans to sponsor or organize the pool party or any event after graduation. The district already assists PTA with the 12th grade party, organizes the senior class trip and the prom as well as the commencement ceremony itself. The district's efforts on behalf of the senior class are focused on the success and safety of these events. In the meantime, the PTA grade reps will focus their efforts to make Adelphi a successful dance, including soliciting input from the seniors. Our goal is to plan a special night to remember for our graduates. We welcome any ideas, as support from the community is critical to success.