Bellport High School’s theatre art program is pleased to announce that student-thespian Jack Burkhardt was the recipient of a coveted 2020 Teeny Award for his supporting male role as Lumiere in the school’s musical “Beauty and the Beast.” The award was presented during a virtual awards ceremony, held by East End Arts on July 23.

“This is a terrific accomplishment,” Art Department Chairperson Barbara Gallagher said. “Jack is an extremely talented actor and the District congratulates him on this special achievement.”

Each year, Bellport High School is one of 18 school theater programs whose productions are celebrated by the East End Arts for student talent and excellence in acting, production, pit orchestra, stage management, lighting design and crew and more. This year, the theatre program received 36 nominations for its productions of “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Game’s Afoot.”

The pandemic did not spoil the opportunity for Frank P. Long Intermediate School students to showcase their artwork. Instead of an in-house show, students and their families were taken on an artistic and cultural journey around the world through viewing a creative, circus-themed video art show of the pieces created throughout the year.

Art teacher Mandy Hoffman said the theme reflects the idea that an art show, like a circus, celebrates and showcases a variety of skills. Ms. Hoffman’s goal this past year was to take the students on a proverbial trip around the globe as they researched and learned different art techniques, applying them to their own works. They discovered the flora and fauna of different countries and learned about China’s waving cats and dragon masks. In their study of India, the students learned about patterned elephants and Mehndi printed hands. Lions and landscapes were the subjects of Africa, while they created Manga portraits and Poke balls in their study of Japan. Students created personal artwork and participated in larger mural-sized group projects.

The art show can be viewed by logging onto https://drive.google.com/file/d/19WENKej-2a5Om71U_b3nehrBW75IvVGZ/view

Board trustees returned to meeting virtually during the July 22, 2020 business meeting. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Giani explained that the trustees met during the July 1 meeting to reorganize for the 2020-2021 school year but will return to virtual meetings pending future Executive Orders from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The Board will continue to accept questions and comments from the public via the District Clerk.

On July 20, 104 participants attended a districtwide virtual parent meeting in which parents had the opportunity to ask questions regarding school reopening. Dr. Giani noted the District will schedule another such meeting when the concept and structure of the reopening plan is confirmed. It will also be held in the evening.

Parents can view details on the District website about the condensed fall middle school and high school fall sports season, which was delayed by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. The Association has canceled the fall 2020 regional and state championships and is prepared to implement a condensed season schedule in January 2021, if high school sports remains prohibited throughout the rest of 2020.

Dr. Giani discussed potential plans for reopening under a hybrid model based on a 145-page guideline document from the New York State Education Department and a compilation of guidelines from Connecticut, Maryland and New Jersey. In examining plans for reopening, the District developed five committees to examine various reopening matters and comprised of faculty and staff. These committees considered general health and safety guidelines, social distancing solutions for elementary and secondary schools, remote teaching and learning and facilities, cleaning and disinfecting. Committee recommendations were submitted to the District on July 24.

Dr. Giani noted that with NYS social distancing requirements in place, the District is strongly considering reopening under a hybrid model with general education and inclusion for in-school teaching and learning two days per week and remote learning two-days per week. Students in special classes would be in-school for in-person teaching five days per week. The District is exploring a fixed schedule model of Monday/Tuesday for one cohort of students and Thursday/Friday for the other cohort. Wednesday would be designated as a day of planning, remote learning, and deep cleaning. The District is in the process of determining the best split of student-cohorts, using last name and household. This way, older siblings could assist with younger sibling childcare. Having a fixed schedule would also assist parents with arranging outside childcare. Dr. Giani also noted that the plan needs to be flexible, having recognized that about 60% of families are prepared to send their children back to school while wearing a face covering, while 20% are not. Additionally, 20% are currently unsure. The plan will also allow for smooth transitions to and from Hybrid, Remote or In-school/In-person learning and teaching.

During the week of July 27-31, 2020, the District’s advisory committees will meet with the sole purpose of reviewing committee recommendations and to provide feedback to the Administration. Administration will then develop a draft preliminary plan to be submitted and posted as per the NYSED deadline by July 31, and for the Board’s review on August 5. The draft preliminary plan will detail the reopening model so families can plan appropriately. Being a fluid document, much work will follow regarding details and implementation protocols, which will occur between now and opening. The District will begin to formalize the plan through the established committees, which may expand in membership or through new committees that need to be developed.

The Board also discussed comprehensive education plans for the District, Brookhaven Elementary School and Bellport Middle School. These improvement plans are a result of Bellport Middle School and Brookhaven Elementary School being designated as NYSED Comprehensive Support and Improvement schools during the 2019-2020 school year. The designation was carried over to the current school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the District is in its second year of designation. Dr. Giani said there are three plans of action available for Board review and each plan was developed by district and/or building teams in accordance with NYSED requirements and “tenets of effective school systems,” of which the District will be measured. After approval, the Board will send the plans to the NYSED by August 1. NYSED will subsequently review the District’s plans and provide feedback and edits prior to acceptance and finalization.

Due to a recent Transportation Efficiency Study by School Source Technologies, the District made efficiencies and route changes that could yield a cost avoidance of between $500,000-$600,000 in transportation services. This budget savings now allows the District to provide One-to-One devices to students in grades kindergarten through second grade. This way, every student in the District will have access to a personal Chromebook for in-school and remote instruction and learning. Dr. Giani explained that most of the study’s efficiencies were realized as a result of schematic route changes, but other efficiencies included discontinuing service to two students outside of the District’s 25-mile limit and home-to-school pickups and drop-offs for 21 students attending St. Anthony’s High School located in Melville. Dr. Giani noted that while these students are entitled to transportation, they are not entitled to “home-to-school” pickups and drop-offs. A central pickup will be created instead.

The Board appointed trustee Cheryl A. Felice as Advocacy Liaison to the New York State School Boards Association.

The Board also discussed reviewing and updating Policy 3170-Correspondence to School Board to address email and social media. This policy will be reviewed by the Strategic Planning Committee.

The final item for Discussion scheduled the annual Board Retreat for October 21, 2020 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and to be held at the Post-Morrow Foundation.

The next Board meeting will be held virtually on August 5 at 7:30 p.m. Residents can tune into the District’s YouTube channel from the Board of Education webpage on www.southcountry.org.

Summer school rarely evokes an image of excitement. There is a massive amount of curriculum to cover, constant reviewing and of course preparing for the summer Regents exams. During my seven or so years of teaching summer school only one day stands out as different and exciting. It was the day civil rights legend and Congressman John Lewis spoke at Bellport High School.

An assembly is not something teachers plan for in summer school. So when we were told by the principal we’d be having a guest speaker my curiosity was piqued. A break from the routine was not going to be a problem for anyone.

Filing into the auditorium I recall seeing two men sitting on the stage. One was an elderly caucasian man whom I had never seen before. The other, a bald African-American, seemed very familiar. I was sure I recognized him but I couldn’t remember why. Then he was introduced. As soon as I heard his name I knew we were in for a special day.

Social studies teachers are always living in the past. Historical figures, influential leaders, great artists and religious icons while very real to us are quite abstract to the average high school student. Often they are just names in a book, the impact of their work doesn’t necessarily ring clear to a lot of kids. Congressman Lewis was not abstract at all.

He spoke of his life as a child of Alabama share-croppers growing up in the segregated South. The unfairness of the system, the lack of change after the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) desegregation decision and the Montgomery bus boycott were inspirations for him to become a participant in the growing civil rights movement.

At this point there was no more fidgeting in their seats. His story, his voice and his direct way of talking had the entire audience listening intently. He spoke of working directly with Dr. Martin Luther King’s nonviolence movement, his involvement with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, his march for voting equality over the infamous Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama and the famous March on Washington in 1963. He was beaten and arrested many times for what he said was getting into “good trouble.”

He answered questions from the audience. He spoke to the kids honestly and openly. He encouraged them to stand up for what is right and to keep an open mind to those they don’t know. This is when he introduced the other man on the stage.

This elderly man was born into a family of Klansmen. The KKK was his life through his teenage years. Unfortunately I don't recall his name or his full story but the gist of his speech was become your own person. He never embraced the racist mentality of his family. For whatever reasons he just knew he had to leave the environment he was living in. The kids were as attentive and interested in his story as they were the congressman’s.

Summer school students of Bellport High School were treated to a special moment that day. Social studies became a living breathing experience. The textbook was a little less abstract.

Thanks to Congressman John Lewis sharing his story and his life's work, our kids were given a direct connection with America’s past and hope for its future.

Written by Paul Feltman,
Bellport HS Social Studies Teacher