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Inspiring MindsEmpowering AchievementBuilding CommunityGardenOurWorldBeginsHereCityWelcome to the 2011 - 2012 School Year!PublicSchools

THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONSTHE WIZARD OF OZStratford Avenue School • April 2011L’ELISIR D’AMOREStewart Avenue School • June 2011OKLAHOMA!Garden City Middle School • March 2011THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNESTGarden City High School • November 2010THE SOUND OF MUSICGarden City High School • March 2011

Board of Education 2011 — 2012www.gardencity.k12.ny.usfive-member Board of Education, elected by theA residents for three-year terms, serves without pay inthe School District, which is a political subdivision of theState of New York.Board members set goals, establish policy for the schoolsystem and carry out the directives and decisions of theNew York State Department of Education. Some of theirresponsibilities include prescribing courses of study; reviewing,presenting and overseeing the school budget;levying taxes in accordance with law; contracting andemploying staff; setting school boundary lines; providingschool sites and buildings; purchasing fuel, furniture, andother necessities for use in school buildings; and providingstudent transportation. The Board of Education is responsiblefor the efficient management of the schools andappoints the Superintendent of Schools as its chief administrativeofficer to make recommendations concerning theabove activities and to carry out the decisions of the Boardof Education.The Role of the PublicMembers of the public are welcome at all Regular Board ofEducation meetings, and the Board encourages the publicto attend. Regular Meetings are usually held once a monthat 8:15 p.m. in a District building. Work Sessions also areopen to the public and are usually held one week prior to theregular monthly meeting. Meetings designated specificallyas Executive Sessions are not open to the public.2011-2012REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULEMeetings are on Tuesdays at 8:15 p.m.September 20, 2011October 18, 2011November 15, 2011December 13, 2011January 18, 2011*unless otherwise noted.March 20, 2012April 17, 2012Nassau BOCES Budget Vote:April 17, 2012May 15, 2012February 14, 2012 June 12, 2012*WednesdayDates are subject to change.Check local newspapers and the District homepage (www.gardencity.k12.ny.us) for up-to-dateinformation.Colleen E. FoleyPresidentBarbara TrapassoVice PresidentAngela HeinemanTrusteeLaura HastingsTrusteeTom PinouTrustee2

SEPTEMBER 2011www.gardencity.k12.ny.usSUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY• 12 noon to 3 pmSUNY Old WestburyFall College ExpoLABOR DAYSCHOOLS CLOSED• 9:30 am Hemlock andHomestead Class ParentMeeting• 7 pm Locust Back-to-SchoolNight• 7 pm HemlockBack-to-School Night• 7 pm HomesteadBack-to-School Night• 7:30 pm High SchoolSeniors/Parents CollegeInfo Night in High SchoolAuditoriumFIRST DAY OF SCHOOL• 8:15 pmBoard of EducationWork Session• Stewart Photo Day• Homestead Photo Day• 7 pm PTA Executive BoardMeeting at High School• 8:15 pmBoard of EducationMeeting• 9:15 am StratfordPTA Meeting• 9:30 am StewartPTA Meeting• 9:30 am StratfordClass Parent Meeting• 9:30 am StewartClass Parent Meeting• Middle School FootballBegins• 3:15 pm - 4 pm Fall SportsMeeting for 7 th and 8 th Athletes4 5 6 78High School Photo Day• 5 th Grade F.O.C.U.S.Program Kick-off Activity• 7 pm High SchoolBack-to-School Night• 6:30 pm Middle SchoolBack-to-School NightSCHOOLS CLOSED• October ACT RegistrationDeadline• 5 th Grade F.O.C.U.S.Program Kick-off Activity(Rain Date)Senior Biography - Computer Lab During LunchStratford Photo Days• Senior Panoramic Photo• Hemlock Photo Day• Locust Photo Day• 7 pm StewartBack-to-School Night• High School Seniors Currentand Growing-up YearbookPhotos DueMiddle School Photo DaySuperintendent’sConference DayNO CLASSES• 3 pm to 9 pm High SchoolMarching Band Camp1 2 3• 10:15 am SEPTA GeneralMeeting - Garden CityPublic Library• 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm High SchoolPTA Freshman BBQ9 1011 12 13 14 1516 1718 19 20 21 22 2324High School Senior Portrait Make-UpsSuperintendent’sConference DayNO CLASSES• 3 pm to 9 pm High SchoolMarching Band Camp• Health History Permission FormDeadline for Middle School FallAthletesAugust 31• 7 pm StratfordBack-to-School Night• 9:30 am Locust Class ParentMeeting• Middle School Fall SportsBeginsROSH HASHANAHSCHOOLS CLOSED• 7:30 am High SchoolACT Examinations• PTA Membership Early BirdIncentive Deadline• 9 am to 4 pmPTA Sportswear Sale Dayat St. Paul’s25 26 27 28 29 30All event dates listed on the calendar are subject to change.October 14

OCTOBER 2011www.gardencity.k12.ny.usSUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY• 11 am to 4 pmNassau ColiseumNACAC College Fair• 7:30 pm High SchoolGuidance Meeting forParents of Freshmen in1• 7:45 am High SchoolSAT Reasoning andSubject Tests2 High School Auditorium 3 4 5 6 78COLUMBUS DAYSCHOOLS CLOSED• 9:15 am High SchoolPTA Meeting• 9:30 am HomesteadPTA Meeting• 10 am to 11 am High SchoolFaculty Photo Make-Ups inLibrary• 10:15 am SEPTA GeneralMeeting - Garden CityPublic Library• District-Wide Spirit Day• LISFA Application Deadline(Elementary)• 2 pm High School Pep Rally• 7:30 pm to 9 pm6 th Grade Party9 10 11 12 13 14• High School Grades 9-11Photo Make-UpsStewart/Stratford Grade 3 CogAT• 9:30 am Middle SchoolPTA MeetingStewart/Stratford Grade 5 CogAT• 9:30 am Locust SchoolPTA Meeting• 6:30 pm SEPTACasino NightSandcastle Restaurant,Franklin SquareHigh School and Middle School Spirit Week• PTA/SEPTA SportswearOrder Due8:15 pmBoard of EducationWork SessionYOM KIPPUR• November SATRegistration Deadline• Middle School/HighSchool 1 st Quarter ProgressReports• 9:15 am HemlockPTA Meeting• 7:45 am High School PSAT• 12 noonHOMECOMING PARADE• 2 pm Football Gamevs. H. Frank Carey• 7:30 amHigh SchoolACT ExaminationsYOM KIPPUR15• 7:30 pm High SchoolCollege Major Night in HighSchool Auditorium8:15 pmBoard of EducationMeeting• 6:30 pm to 8:30 pmMiddle SchoolParent/Teacher Conferences• 7:30 pm 7 th Grade Party16 17 18 19 20 21 22• PTA ReflectionsSubmissions Due23 24 25 26 27 28 29Storybook Parades:• 9 am Hemlock• 9:45 am Locust• 10:30 am Homestead• 11 am Stewart 2 nd GradeHalloween Program/5 thGrade Mini-Concert• 1:30 pm Stratford30Halloween Parade31• 7:30 pm Middle SchoolFamily Flick Night5

NOVEMBER 2011www.gardencity.k12.ny.usSUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYSecondary LISFAFestival at Massapequa• Middle School Winter ISports Begin• Stewart Mini-Book Fair through11/8• Stratford Book Fair through11/156:30 pm to 8:30 pmALL SCHOOLSParent/TeacherConferences9 am to NOONALL SCHOOLSParent/TeacherConferencesELECTION DAYNO CLASSES• December SAT• 3:15 pm to 4 pmMiddle School Winter ISports Meeting• 6:30 pm to 8:30 pmHigh School Parent/Teacher• Senior Portrait SelectionsDue Online• High School PhotoMake-Up Day• Deadline to Submit HealthHistory Permission Form toMiddle School Nurse• 7:30 pm 8 th Grade Party1 2Conferences 3 4 5• Middle School/High SchoolEnd of 1 st Quarter• 7:30 pm SEPTA K-12Information Meetingin High School Library• 8 - 10 pm Senior CitizensBig Band Dance Concert in• Senior Yearbook AdsDue Online• 9:30 am Middle SchoolPTA MeetingVETERANS DAYSCHOOLS CLOSED• 7:45 am High SchoolSAT Reasoning and SubjectTests• 10 am SEPTA CelebrateCalm Workshop - MiddleSchool Auditorium6 7 Registration Deadline 8 High School Cafeteria9 10 1112• High School Fencing,Wrestling and Boys’ Swim Begin6:30 pm to 8:30 pmPrimary SchoolsParent/TeacherConferences• 7:30 pm High School GuidanceMeeting for Parents of• 9:30 am High SchoolPTA Meeting8:15 pmBoard of EducationMeeting• All Other WinterHigh School Sports Begin• 9:15 am High SchoolBreakfast for Champions• 9:30 am StewartPTA Meeting6:30 pm to 8:30 pmElementary SchoolsParent/TeacherConferences• 9:15 am StratfordPTA Meeting13 Sophomores 14 15 16 1718 19• 7:30 pm SEPTA K-12Information Meeting• 9:30 am and 1:30 pmStewart 3 rd GradeThanksgiving Program• 8:15 pmBoard of EducationWork Session• 9 am and 10 amStratford 2 nd GradeThanksgiving ProgramTHANKSGIVING DAYTHANKSGIVING RECESSSCHOOLS CLOSED7 pm High School Fall Theatre ProductionSecondary LISFA Festival at Massapequa• PTA/SEPTA SportswearPick-Up20 in High School Library 21 22 2324 25 26• Stewart School 2 nd GradeCraft Day - Lunch Hour• Stewart School 3 rd GradeCraft Day - Lunch Hour• 7 pm High SchoolFinancial Aid Night in• 7:30 pm High School -District StudentAchievement Report27High School Library28 29 306

JANUARY 2012SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYNEW YEAR’S DAY• 12 noon Tilles CenterNMEA All-CountyFestival ConcertDivision I• 12 noon Tilles CenterNMEA All-County FestivalConcert Division II w/Jazz18• 4 pm Hillwood Recital HallNMEA Jazz Concert DivisionIV and VHOLIDAY RECESSSCHOOLS CLOSEDMARTIN LUTHERKING, JR., DAYSCHOOLS CLOSEDSCHOOLS RE-OPENwww.gardencity.k12.ny.usParochial Schools)2 3 4 5 6 7• 9:30 am Middle SchoolPTA Meeting8:15 pmBoard of EducationWork Session9 10 11 12 13 14• Middle SchoolWinter II Sports Begin8:15 pmBoard of EducationMeeting• 6:30 pm High SchoolOrientationfor 8 th Grade Students andParents (Public, Private, and• 7 pm High SchoolWinter Concert II (Bands)• Middle School HealthHistory Permission FormDue• 8 pm Tilles CenterNMEA All-CountyFestival ConcertDivision III w/Jazz• Middle School/High SchoolEnd of 2 nd Quarter• 10:15 am SEPTA GeneralMeeting - Garden CityPublic Library• 2 pm Division IV;• 7:30 pm Division VTilles CenterNMEA All-CountyFestival Concert15 16 17 18 19 20 21• 7 pm Stewart/Stratford5 th Grade ParentHuman Growth andDevelopment Meeting• High School AlumniReturn DayScoliosis Screening at High School• 3:15 pm to 4 pmMiddle School 7 th GradeWinter II Athletes SportsMeetingKindergarten Registration at Hemlock (for All Primary Schools)High School Midterm and Regents ExamsMiddle School Midterm Exams• 9:15 am JointStewart/StratfordPTA Meeting at Stratford• Elementary Report Cards22 23 at Stratford 24 25 26 27 28• 7:30 pm High School PTAMeeting29 30 318

MARCH 2012www.gardencity.k12.ny.usSUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY• 9:30 am Locust PTAMeeting7 pm High School Spring MusicalElementary LISFA Festival at Uniondale• Middle School/ HighSchool Progress Reports• 9:15 am Hemlock PTAMeeting1 2 3• Elementary LISFA Festivalat Uniondale• High SchoolMost Spring Sports Begin• 9:30 am Homestead PTAMeeting• 9:30 am Middle School PTAMeeting• April ACT RegistrationDeadline• Stratford Science Fair• 7:45 am High SchoolSAT Reasoning Test(No Subject Tests)• 7:30 pm12 th Grade Parent Skit8:15 pmBoard of EducationBudget/Work SessionRehearsal4 5 6 78 9 10• 6:30 pm to 8:30 pmPrimary SchoolParent/Teacher Conferences• 7:30 pm12 th Grade Parent Skit• 6:30 pm to 8:30 pmHigh SchoolParent/ Teacher9 am to NOONParent/TeacherConferencesALL SCHOOLSNO CLASSES• 6 pm to 10 pm PTA DinnerThe Chateau, Carle Place• End of PTA MembershipDrive• 6:30 pm to 8:30 pmMiddle SchoolParent/Teacher• 9:15 am StratfordPTA Meeting• 7 pm High SchoolBattle of the Bandsin High School Cafeteria11Rehearsal12ConferencesConferences13 14 15 16 17• 12 noon to 4 pm All CountyK-12 Art Exhibitat Adelphi University• High School Boys Tennis;Girls Badminton &Boys & Girls Golf Begin• 7:30 pm12 th Grade Parent SkitDress Rehearsal18 19• Middle School SpringSports Begin• 9:15 am High SchoolPTA Meeting8:15 pmBoard of EducationBudget/RegularMeeting• High School BOCESApplications Due• 3:15 pm to 4 pm MiddleSchool Sports Meeting 7 thand 8 th Grade Athletics• 6:30 pm to 8:30 pmElementary Parent/Teacher• 10:15 am SEPTA GeneralMeeting - Garden CityPublic Library• Middle School Health HistoryPermission Forms Due• Primary Report Cards7 pm Middle School Spring Musical20 21 Conferences 22 23 24Bridge Days -8 th Grade Student Visits to High SchoolStratford Musical 9:30 am and 7 pm• 7:30 pm12 th Grade Parent Skit• 7 pm Stewart/StratfordPTA Reflections Awards• 7 pm Primary SchoolPTA Reflections AwardsCeremony at Homestead• 7 pm to 10 pm12 th Grade Party and ParentDress RehearsalCeremony at StewartSkit Night25 26 27 28 29 30 3110

APRIL 2012www.gardencity.k12.ny.usSUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY• 7 pm Middle SchoolSpring Concert Iat High School (Band)Primary and Elementary Unplugged Week• Middle School/ High School • 9:30 am Stewart PTAEnd of 3 rd QuarterMeeting• All Primary Schools ReadAloud Day8:15 pmBoard of EducationDistrict-wideEarly Dismissal(Unless April 5 th is a RegularSchool Day)SCHOOLS CLOSEDSNOW MAKE UP DAYIF NEEDEDSPRING RECESSSCHOOLS CLOSED• May SAT RegistrationDeadline1 2 Budget/Work Session 3 4 5 6PASSOVER7EASTER• 7:30 am High SchoolACT ExaminationsSPRING RECESS SCHOOLS CLOSED8 9 10 11 12 13 1415SCHOOLS RE-OPEN• 7 pm Annual 8 th Grade ArtReception at Middle School8:15 pmBoard of EducationMeeting• Budget Adoption• Nassau BOCES BudgetKindergarten ScreeningNYS ELA Assessments Grades 3 through 8• NYSESLAT Testing Begins -through May 18 th• 6:30 pm to 8 pm High SchoolLibrary Advanced Placement• PTA Plant Sale Orders Due• PTA/GCTA Race for a Cure16 VoteArt Reception17 18 19 20 21Kindergarten ScreeningNYS Math Assessments Grades 3 through 8NYSSMA Classical Guitar at Island Trees• 9:15 am High SchoolBreakfast for Champions• 7:30 pm SEPTA K-12Information Meeting in• 7 pm High SchoolSpring Concert I at High• 9:30 am Stratford PTAMeetingNYSSMA All State at Freeport22 23 24 High School Library 25 School 26 27 28• PTA Site BasedApplications Due• 7 pm Stratford SpringConcert29 3011

MAY 2012www.gardencity.k12.ny.usSUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYMOTHER’S DAY• 9:15 am and 10:45 amHemlock 1 st GradeSpring Sing• Open Houses:Primary: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pmElementary: 7 pm to 8 pm• 7 pm High School LibraryMiddle School/High SchoolPTA Reflections Awards andGeneral PTA Meeting• June SAT Registration Deadline• 9:15 am and 10:45 am HemlockKindergarten Spring Sing• Homestead Staff AppreciationLuncheon8:15 pmBoard of Education• 9:30 am Middle School PTA VolunteerBreakfast/MeetingStudent/Parent Sports Meetings:• 7 pm Middle School AuditoriumCurrent 6 th and 7 th Grades• 7:30 pm Middle School Cafeteria 8 th to2 Parent Orientation 3 4 56Budget Public Hearing/ 98 th Grade Transition Meeting79 II at High School (Chorus) 10 (9 11 12th and 10 th Grades)13Board of Education14 15 Award Ceremony 16 1718 19• 7 pm High SchoolMandatory Prom Meetingfor Seniors and Parents inHigh School Auditorium• Grades 4 and 8 Science PerformanceTest through June 1 st• High School Staff AppreciationLuncheon• 9:15 am Hemlock VolunteerBreakfast/ PTA Meeting• 7 pm Middle SchoolSpring Concert III at Middle School• 9:15 am and 10:45 amHomestead 1 st Grade Spring Sing• 9:30 am Locust PTA Meeting• Hemlock Staff AppreciationLuncheon• 7 pm Middle School Spring ConcertWork SessionHigh School AP Exams• 9:15 am LocustDistrict Art Exhibit at High School - 3 pm to 9 pm1 st Grade Spring Sing BUDGET VOTE6 am -10 pm• 9:15 am Locust• Stewart/Stratford• 9:30 am Homestead PTA Volunteer Kindergarten Spring Sing Incoming 2 nd GradeBreakfast/MeetingOrientation for Students• 3 pm to 9 pm Primary/Elementary • Stratford Book Fair throughSnack VoteMay 24 th• 7 pm Jazz Night in High School Library• 7 pm High School8:15 pmWorld Language Honor• 7 pm Middle School ServiceMeetingNYSSMA Area 6 at Chaminade1• 9 am High SchoolVolunteer Breakfast/PTA Meetingin High School Library• 7 pm Middle SchoolNational Junior HonorSociety Induction inHigh School AP ExamsNYSSMA Piano Only at C.W. Post7 th Grade ERB WrAP3 rd Grade ERB WrAP• 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm HighSchool CafeteriaAfternoon Tea forSenior Citizens and PastParents• 7 pm Stewart/StratfordIncoming 2 nd GradeSociety Induction inAuditorium• 7 pm High SchoolNational Honor SocietyInduction inHigh School Auditorium• PTA Plant Sale Pick-up• June ACT RegistrationDeadline• Middle School/ High School4 th Quarter Progress Reports• 9:15 am and 10:45 amHomestead KindergartenSpring Sing• 7 pm to 10 pm High SchoolSpring Fling• 10:15 am SEPTA GeneralMeeting - Garden CityPublic Library• Locust Staff AppreciationLuncheonSCHOOLS CLOSEDSNOW MAKE UP DAYIF NEEDED• 7:45 am High SchoolSAT Reasoning andSubject TestsHigh School Auditorium20 21(Strings/am Jazz/Guitar)22 232425 26MEMORIAL DAYSCHOOLS CLOSED• 9:15 am Stewart Beginners’Concert - 2 nd Grade Chorus;3 rd Grade Recorders/Strings;4 th Grade Band• Stewart/Stratford StaffAppreciation Luncheon• Memorial Day Parade• 7 pm High School ScienceResearch Symposium inHigh School Library• 7 pm High School SpringConcert II (Choir/Orchestra/Symphonic Band)27 28 29 30• 7 pm High School SeniorAwards Ceremony in HighSchool Auditorium3112

Inspiring MindsEmpowering AchievementBuilding Community16

PARENT GUIDE 2011—2012 17The District At a GlanceTheGarden City Union Free School District has a long-standing tradition of high achievement. It is the onlyschool district on Long Island with full Middle States accreditation for both its middle school and high school.Every eligible district school has been recognized by the United States Department of Education as a School ofExcellence. In a ten-year analysis of student achievement completed by the New York Times, Garden City PublicSchools ranked 6 th out of nearly 700 school districts in New York State.The District is a completely separate unit of government and operates under a separate authority. It is nearlycoterminous with the Incorporated Village of Garden City, measures approximately eight square miles, and has apopulation of approximately 21,836*.There are seven school buildings (three primary schools, two elementary schools, one middle school, andone high school), an administration building, and a school bus garage. Public school enrollment for 2011-2012 isprojected at 4,066* students in grades K through 12. Approximately 99 percent of the high school’s graduates go onto post-secondary education.Curriculum: The District is dedicated to providinga superior education in an environment that meetsthe academic, social, and emotional needs of all studentsthrough every developmental stage. Faculty strive to integratethe curriculum across classrooms, grades, and buildings.Easing transitions from first to second-grade, fifthto sixth-grade, eighth to ninth-grade, and twelfth-grade tocollege is a major focus, and the curriculum is rigorouslyevaluated on an ongoing basis.Primarycurriculum guides that quickly became models for neighboringschool districts. Garden City’s Foreign Languagein Elementary School (FLES) program begins in secondgradeand was recently named as a model program for theState. The elementary schools support an active Mathletesteam and participate in Science Olympiads. Elementaryschool students can participate in band, orchestra, chorus,and jazz band. All fifth-grade students see a professionally-producedopera in Manhattan. Fifth-graders at StewartSchool perform an opera in the nation’s oldest continuouselementary school opera program (73 rd consecutiveyear). Fifth-graders at Stratford Avenue School produce amusical in the spring. Students can take advantage of theschool library, media center, and learning center.school: The three primary buildings aresmall by design to enable all children to adjust to theschool environment and foster a lifelong love of learning.Academic instruction in literacy, mathematics, the sciences,and humanities begins in the full-day kindergartenprogram. Balanced Literacy is practiced to establishiddle school: The middle school was recentlyM reading and writing as a function for communication and named an Essential Elements School to Watch andknowledge acquisition. Character education and enrichmentprograms (including Arts in Education programs in by the State’s Department of Education. This summer,designated a S 3 TAIR Effective Practice Mentor Schoolcooperation with the Garden City Parent-Teacher Association)are introduced at the primary level. Other activi-the middle school. When complete, the gym will offer aconstruction of the new gymnasium addition began atties include field trips to museums, the public library, and bright new athletic space for students and sports teams. Atnature centers; visits to extended care facilities to perform the classroom level, acceleration, in accordance with thespring and winter concert programs; and visits from older State’s Regents Action Plan, is an option in mathematicsstudents who share language skills, anti-bullying strategies,environmental lessons, and other topics.dents with the opportunity to conduct inquiries applyingand science. The science research program provides stu-Ethe scientific method. The language program intensifieslementary school: Garden City’s elementary and students may begin studying German, French, Italian,schools implemented a new science research program or Latin, or continue with Spanish. The music curriculumin 2010, premiering upgraded facilities, equipment and utilizes SmartMusic, a web-based, interactive music soft-* Figures compiled by Dr. Jonathan Hughes for the District’s 2011 demographic update.www.gardencity.k12.ny.usHelping those in need is integral to Garden City PublicSchool’s mission statement. Pictured above are studentsfrom the high school’s Miracle Club who raised $17,000to help children with cancer. More on page 19.ware program that provides students with real-time feedbackand permits teachers and parents to monitor progress.The art program culminates in an installation of eighthgradeworks. Other offerings include family and consumerscience, technology and computer education, and extensiveinterscholastic and intramural sports programs. Themiddle school has a robust anti-bullying program that includescyber-bullying instruction and strategies.Highschool: Garden City High School was recentlyranked as 115 th out of 1,623 selected schools onNewsweek’s list of America’s Best High Schools. Studentsare recognized for prestigious awards annually across thecurriculum, from Intel to the arts. The high school offers22 Advanced Placement opportunities in art, mathematics,science, and science research. Electives include courses inmusic theory, health education, American history, worldhistory, photography, and business. This fall, a new languagelab, a generous gift from the District’s PTA, will beopened to students to enhance language studies. More than95 extracurricular activities are available, including specialinterest clubs, service organizations, publications, concerts,and art exhibitions. There are 32 varsity athletic teams.Ninety percent of students participate in at least one extracurricularactivity, and 70 percent participate in at least oneinterscholastic sport. High school enrollment for the 2011-12 school year is projected to include 1,181* students, with312* seniors.

Policies and Procedureswww.gardencity.k12.ny.usAttendance: Education Law permits excusedabsences or tardiness for the following reasonsonly: sickness or death in the family, impassableroads or weather, religious observance, schoolsupervised trips, and required presence in court.Absence or tardiness for any other reason is consideredunexcused. If your child will be absent or late,please advise the school by telephone between 8 a.m.and 9 a.m. (see page 25 for contact information).Staff will telephone the homes of unreported absenteesafter 9 a.m. and/or during the evening. Education Lawdoes not permit the school to make a distinction betweenlegal and illegal absences for attendance policy purposes.Bicycles: Bike riding is not permitted on schoolproperty. Students who ride to school must walktheir bikes to and from the bicycle racks. Students under14 years of age must wear bicycle helmets—it’s the law!Building Inspections: As required by federal lawCFR763-84, building inspections and asbestosmanagement plans for all District-owned buildingsare updated each year. Copies of approved plans aremaintained in each school’s main office, and a masterset is maintained at the Administration Building in theOffice of Facilities and Operations. Plans are updatedregularly, including required semi-annual re-inspectionsand any response action changes. Warning notices areplaced in maintenance areas where there are asbestoscontainingmaterials. All cleaners, custodians, andmaintenance personnel have received required trainingin asbestos awareness. These measures comply with theDistrict’s public notice requirement that all workers andbuilding occupants or their legal guardians be informedabout inspections, response actions, and surveillanceactivities that are planned or in progress. For informationregarding these plans and response actions, contactthe Office of Facilities and Operations (478-1080).Home Instruction: Home instruction is providedfor students when an illness or an accident makesattendance impossible for an extended period of time.Parents or guardians should contact the principal of theschool to make arrangements. A medical confirmation isrequired; medical clearance is required to return to school.Lunch: Parents or guardians may send their childrento school with lunch or high school seniors canopt to eat lunch off-campus. At the end of August,the primary and elementary schools mail informationto parents concerning lunch vouchers for sandwichesand lunch schedules. Excellent facilities and acompetent staff provide a variety of lunches to middleschool and high school students at nominal prices.Pesticide Application: The District adoptedan Integrated Pest Management Program inaccordance with NYS Law Section 409-H effectiveJuly 1, 2001. This regulation requires writtennotification to all parents and staff who wish to receive48-hour written notice of certain pesticide applications.Please advise the Buildings and Grounds Departmentat the Administration Building, 56 CathedralAvenue (478-1080), if you wish to receive notice.Physical Examinations: An annual physicalexamination is required by New York State law ofall students entering grades K, 2, 4, 7 and 10, and allnew admissions. This examination must be completedby a licensed health care provider no more than 12months prior to the beginning of the school year inwhich the examination is required. Documentationshould be submitted to the school nurse within 30days of school entrance. After 60 days, the schoolphysician may provide this examination unless theparent or guardian otherwise notifies the respectiveschool nurse. Physical examination, medicationadministration forms, and immunization formscan be downloaded at www.gardencity.k12.ny.us.Physical examinations are required for all students participatingin the Interscholastic Athletic Program, opento students in grades 7 through 12. Seventh- and eighthgradestudents participate at the middle school; highschool students participate on junior varsity or varsityteams. Parents and eligible students must receive noticeand may opt-out of non-emergency invasive physicalexamination that is required for attendance, administeredby the school or its agent, and not necessary toprotect the immediate health and safety of a student.continued belowHigh School/Middle SchoolPhotos: Newsphoto.comAthleticsFor game dates, times and locations:www.gardencity.k12.ny.us;High School or Middle School; AthleticsHomecoming Football GameOctober 15 th - 2 PM18

Policies, continued from page 19Records Law for the orderly retention and dispositionof student records. Parents, guardians, or eligible studentshave the right to inspect and review instructionalmaterials related to educational curriculum (excludingacademic tests and academic assessments), student surveysfunded in whole or in part by the Department ofEducation (prior to survey administration), and reviewand request amendment of a student’s educational records;limit the disclosure of personally identifiableinformation (a) by prior written consent (b) as DirectoryInformation (c) under certain circumstances permittedby FERPA; request that records be amendedto ensure accuracy; file a complaint with the U.S. Departmentof Education alleging failure to comply withFERPA and its regulation; obtain copies of the StudentRecords Policy (#5500) and Regulation (#5500R).Directory Information: The District has determinedthat certain information designated asDirectory Information shall not be considered confidentialinformation. For this purpose DirectoryInformation shall mean a student’s name, address,telephone number, date and place of birth, majorcourse of study, participation in school activities orsports, weight and height of a member of an athleticteam, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received,most recent school attended, photographs(still or moving images), audio clips, and class roster.Directory information may be used for marketingpurposes, including social media, and released withoutthe consent of a parent, student, or former studentover 18 years of age to which such information relates,including to military recruiters, unless such parent orstudent or former student objects in writing to the releaseof all or part of such information within the firstweek of school each year to the Coordinator of PublicInformation, 56 Cathedral Avenue (478-1079).Student/Parent Information Forms: Parents whoneed to update student information can downloadforms from the “Forms and Policies” link under the“Information” heading at: www.gardencity.k12.ny.us.Working Papers: The District cooperates with theNew York State Labor Department to issue workingpapers required by law for all persons under theage of 18 who seek employment. All resident childrenwho need these papers may apply for them in the HighSchool Counseling Center. The child should completethe Application for Employment Certificate, which requiresparental consent and certification of physical fitness.District residents not attending Garden City HighSchool must provide proof of a physical examinationperformed by a physician, a birth certificate as proof ofage, and a copy of the Social Security Card. Workingpaper applications are accepted from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Equal Access and Opportunity for AllRehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504:The Garden City School District, Garden City, NewYork, hereby gives notice that it does not discriminateon the basis of disability in violation of Section504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Districtfurther gives notice that it does not discriminate onthe basis of disability in admission or access to itsprograms and activities, including vocational educationprograms. No person shall be denied employmentsolely because of any physical, mental or medical impairmentwhich is unrelated to the person’s ability toengage in the activities involved in the job for whichapplication has been made.A grievance procedure is available to the public. Inquiriesconcerning this policy may be referred to theDirector of Pupil Personnel Services, 56 CathedralAvenue (478-1050).Title IX: The Board of Education of the Garden CitySchool District does not discriminate on the basis ofsex, race, color, age, national origin or disability in theeducational programs or activities which it operates asrequired by Title IX of the Education Amendments of1972 and Part 86 of the Rules and Regulations of theUnited States Department of Education. The protectionsagainst discrimination assured by Title IX andPart 86 requiring the absence of discrimination ineducational programs and activities extend to employmenttherein and to admission thereto. A grievanceprocedure to Title IX and Part 86 is available to thepublic. Address inquiries concerning the applicationof Title IX and Part 86 to the Assistant Superintendentfor Personnel, 56 Cathedral Avenue (478-1020) or tothe Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the UnitedStates Department of Education.A Sampling ofRecent Academic DistinctionsPictured here with high school principal Nanine Cuttitta(left) and science research teacher Dr. Steven Gordon(right), are Alina Ranjbaran (center, left) and Jan Gongwho were grand prize winners in Intel’s 2011 Long IslandScience and Engineering Fair.They were #1 in this year’s Music in the Parks competitionin Fleetwood, Pa. - the middle school’s Late Night Jazz Ensembleand Eighth Grade Band, as well as soloist AndrewAndron. Each brought home a first place trophy.Locust first-graders in Anne Hayes’ class won the NassauCounty Sports Commission’s essay contest with the prize of avisit from two members of the Harlem Globetrotters.20

Pupil Personnel Services 478-1050 www.gardencity.k12.ny.usPupil Personnel Services (PPS) is an integral part ofeducational services in Garden City Public Schools.PPS provides district-wide health services, psychologicaland social work services, speech and language services,home instruction, and special education programsand services. The Board of Education appoints the Committeeon Special Education (CSE), the Committee onPreschool Special Education (CPSE), and the Subcommitteeson Special Education, all of which are under theauspices of PPS. These committees make recommendationsto the Board of Education for specialized programsand services for children with special needs who live inor attend school within the Garden City School District.IEP deadlineParents of students who have an IndividualizedEducation Program (IEP) and who enroll theirchild in a non-public school (both private and parochial)where they are paying tuition, must notifythe school district where the non-public school islocated, in writing, no later than June 1 st before theschool year in which services are to be provided, thatthey are requesting special education services. Thismust be done each year.Committee on Special Education—MembersChairpersonsCatherine Wheeler ......................................... 478-1050Director, Pupil Personnel ServicesKimberley Liguori ........................................... 478-1050Assistant Director, Pupil Personnel ServicesDr. Kelly Spagnola ...........................478-1700/ 478-1600School Psychologist, CSE ChairSubcommittee ChairpersonsAudrey Bellovin, Principal, Hemlock School.........................................................478-1400Suzanne Viscovich, Ed.D., Principal, Homestead School......................................478-1700Jean Ricotta, Principal, Locust School....................................................................478-1800Mandi Gorodess, Psychologist................................................................................478-2000Dr. Angelo Ippolito, Psychologist...........................................................................478-1400Dr. Nancy Mannion, Psychologist...........................................................................478-3000Dr. Melina Mendleson, Psychologist......................................................478-2618/ 478-3000Maura Cashin, Psychologist......................................................................................478-1050Jessica Berenbroick, Psychologist...........................................................................478-1500Dr. Gina Tornincaso, Psychologist......................................................478-1600/ 1700/ 1800Committee on Preschool Special Education—ChairpersonsCatherine Wheeler • Kimberley Liguori • Irene McCoy ................. 478-1050Each Committee on Special Education also includes a psychologist, a general education teacher,a special education teacher, a parent member, and the parent of the child.A representative of the municipality and, for a child in transition from early intervention,an appropriate professional from the age 0-to-2 agency may be part of theCommittee on Preschool Special Education.District PhysicianDr. Ronald Feinstein, M.D., F.A.A.P.Special Education Assistive Technology Specialist Ruth Fullerworks with special education students and a wide range of softwareto facilitate the learning needs of all students.Child Find ProceduresSchool Age Children (ages 5 to 21): If you suspect that your school-age child has a disability, contact the schoolpsychologist in your child’s school or Pupil Personnel Services (478-1050).Preschool Children (ages 3 to 5): If you suspect that your preschool child has developmental delays, contactPupil Personnel Services (478-1050).21

Community ServicesContinuing Education: The office offers the communitya variety of learning opportunities, includingclassroom instruction, day trips, and domestic and internationaltours. You can learn how to speak a foreign language,teach your dog to stay put, edit and print digitalphotographs, knit a sweater, or rejuvenate an old chestwith a faux finish–all without ever leaving Garden City.If you do wish to venture beyond Village boundaries,day trips include excursions to Broadway shows, historicmansions, museums, and botanical gardens. A cataloguedescribing the courses offered is mailed to all District residentstwice a year. The fall term starts the end of September.The spring term begins in March. For more information,contact Continuing Education (478-1070).Winter Program for Kids: Students in kindergartenthrough sixth-grade can participate in a seriesof activities held eight Saturday mornings at the middleschool starting in January. For more information, contactContinuing Education, 478-1070.After School Childcare Program: Children in kindergartenthrough fifth-grade (subject to enrollmentand availability) residing in the District are eligible to applyfor the After School Child Care Program. The programoperates from public school dismissal to 5:30 p.m. on dayswhen school is in session for a full day. For fees and otherinformation, contact Continuing Education (478-1070).Summer Enrichment Program: This program isconducted during July and is open to all Garden CitySchool District students entering kindergarten in the followingfall through fifth grade graduates. Activities includescience, music, sports, arts and crafts, computers,and various other courses. Select enrichment courses areavailable to middle and high school students. For moreinformation, call 478-1540.Use of School Facilities: The use of public school facilitiesby non-school groups is carefully regulated bythe Education Law and by School Board policies. The latterprovides that such use shall not interfere with school purposesor impose inordinate expenses on the taxpayers for thebenefit of a small segment of the community. Applicationsfor permits to use school facilities may be obtained from theOffice of Facilities, 56 Cathedral Avenue. Requests for useof facilities must be received 30 days before the date desired.Requests for use of facilities starting in September of the followingschool year must be received by June 1st since suchrequests are not processed during the summer. Please notethat fields may not be used Sundays until after 1:00 p.m. Formore information, call 478-1070.Public Information: On The Line, the official publicationof the Board of Education, is sent to all residentsof the District several times a year and posted tothe District’s website. Additionally, an online news briefwww.gardencity.k12.ny.usis periodically emailed to parents and residents who signup for its receipt (available on the Superintendent’s webpage). A budget postcard and budget On The Line editionis distributed each year prior to the annual District vote.Timely information is sent to local newspapers and webbasednews sites. The Public Information Office can bereached at 478-1079.Especially for Senior Citizens: Senior Citizens whoreside in the District may request complimentary ticketsto high school drama productions. For more information,contact the Office of Public Information, 478-1079.ANNUAL ELECTION AND BUDGET VOTEMay 15, 2012 • 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.High School GymnasiumSCHOOL DISTRICT VOTER REGISTRATIONVoter registration is continuous. Voters may usethe link on the District website or apply in personat the office of the District Clerk any day that theDistrict Offices are open.FOR MORE INFORMATION478-1040Annual Election and Budget VoteVoters must register in advance to be eligible to participate in the election of school trustees and budget vote. Thenames of voters who voted for the 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011 Annual Budget Vote with the Garden City UnionFree School District Board of Registration remain in the registration books for the forthcoming Annual Vote. In addition,persons who are currently registered from a local residence with the County Board of Elections are eligible tovote. The Annual Budget Vote and election is held on the third Tuesday in May in accordance with State law. At thistime, members of the Board of Education are elected and the proposed annual school budget is placed before the voters.Voter qualifications: a person shall be a citizen of the United States; 18 or more years of age; a resident within theDistrict for a period of 30 days or more preceding the meeting at which he/she offers to vote; and personally registeredto vote in the School District.Parents who attended the 2011 Budget Vote watchedas their children voted, too. The students voted electronicallyfor their choice of snacks to be served onField Day at their home school.23

Parent Teacher Associationwww.gardencitypta.orgThe Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in Garden City is unique in its functioningfrom other PTAs in the state and nation. It operates on a district-wide basis ratherthan school-by-school. This format allows the organization to focus its efforts on theentire educational spectrum. Our programs, lobbying and fund-raising efforts benefit allschools, and our members join only once, regardless of how many schools their childrenattend. Each school maintains its own PTA organization headed by a director whodevelops programs that meet the particular needs and interests of the individual school.The organization at each school consists of a PTA Board, teacher representative, graderepresentatives, and class parents. The PTA Executive Committee consists of the PTApresident and officers, and the PTA directors of each school, who meet regularly to coordinatethe business and activities of the organization. Each school PTA has regularlyscheduled meetings to conduct PTA business and discuss issues and concerns of theparticular school. In addition, the by-laws require a minimum of four general membershipmeetings annually, which are open to all Garden City PTA members. These meetingsare often combined with programs, such as Reflections, or guest speakers.PTA Executive BoardPresident....................................Gail Madigan................gmadigan@gardencitypta.org..................................877-7577President-Elect..........................Cristina Kilberg...............ckilberg@gardencitypta.org..................................742-4553Executive Vice President..........Colleen Tariche...............ctariche@gardencitypta.org1st VP/Budget............................Yvonne Varano...............yvarano@gardencitypta.org2nd VP/Curriculum..................Stefanie Granville.........sgranville@gardencitypta.org3rd VP/Technology...................Brian O’Neill.....................boneill@gardencitypta.orgSecretary....................................Michelle Kaiserman..mkaiserman@gardencitypta.orgTreasurer...................................Laura Roukis.....................lroukis@gardencitypta.orgDirectorsHigh School............................................Beth Kramer.....................bkramer@gardencitypta.orgMiddle School.........................................Dina Muldoon...............dmuldoon@gardencitypta.orgStewart....................................................Dori Mehling..................dmehling@gardencitypta.orgStratford.................................................Stacy Stankey..................sstankey@gardencitypta.orgHemlock.................................................Eileen Kinney....................ekinney@gardencitypta.orgHomestead..............................................Randi Decicco..................rdecicco@gardencitypta.orgLocust.....................................................Nicole Archer.....................narcher@gardencitypta.orgSEPTA - Special Education PTAwww.gardencitypta.org/septa/he Garden City Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) bringsT together parents, teachers, learning specialists, and others with an interest in theeducation of all of the children in our community. Special education is defined as a speciallydesigned educational program for children with identified needs. The special educationprograms in our district include services such as special educational classes, cotaughtclasses, resource room, consultant teaching, and related services such as speech/language therapy, counseling, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Our studentpopulation extends from age 3 to 21 in both in-district and out-of-district placements.As an active PTA, SEPTA offers parents help in understanding the special educationsystem. Parents new to special education will benefit greatly from the SEPTA supportnetwork. Parents already involved are continually learning new information andare eager to share their extensive knowledge and experience.SEPTA coordinates parent information presentations led by professionals in the fieldof special education. Monthly SEPTA General Meetings provide updated informationand discussion of issues concerning all of the schools in our district. Notice of thesemeetings can be found in this calendar.If you wish to become a member, or if you need contact information for SEPTA officersand school representatives, please go to the SEPTA web page of the GardenCity PTA web site: www.gardencitypta.org. For further questions, you may contactGarden City SEPTA Co-President, Melanie Donus, at (516) 587-9365; or email atthe address below.For SEPTA Executive Board and School Representative contact information, pleasevisit the SEPTA web page at: www.gardencitypta.org/septa/SEPTA Executive BoardCo-President..............Mary Lou Keating.................DEMARCOM@BrooklynDA.orgCo-President..............Melanie Donus.........melanie.donus@rightexecutivesearch.comVice President............Gina Fornasar.............................................gforn@optonline.netAdvisor.......................Mary Timmins..............................racearoundmom@yahoo.comTreasurer....................Chris Ryan..............................................ryanlall@optonline.netAsst. Treasurer...........Margaret Romeo.................................mags0805@hotmail.comSecretary.....................Joanne Agrippina..................................jagrippina@verizon.netSpeaker/Liaison..........Stella Cristoforo.......................................christoforoj@aol.comTeacher/Liaison..........Irene McCoy...............................................mccoyi@gcufsd.net24

2011 — 2012 DirectoryCentral Administration:Superintendent of Schools..........................478-1010Assistant Superintendents:Business/District Clerk..................478-1040Curriculum & Instruction..............478-1030Personnel.......................................478-1020Curriculum Coordinators:English........................................................478-2054Guidance.....................................................478-2029High School:Grades 9, 10, 11, 127:40 a.m. to 2:43 p.m.170 Rockaway Avenue..............................478-2000Principal............................................Nanine CuttittaAssistant Principal..............................David PerrottaAssistant Principal....................Kevin SteingruebnerAthletics, Nancy Kalafus, Director............478-2070Attendance..................................................478-2040Cafeteria.....................................................478-2780Guidance, Gina Christel, Director..............478-2012Nurse..........................................................478-2030Fax.......................408-7251Middle School:Grades 6, 7, 88:29 a.m. to 3:17 p.m.98 Cherry Valley Avenue...........................478-3000Principal.....................................Peter Osroff, Ed.D.Assistant Principal....................................Susan LeeAssistant Principal..........................William T. MarrAttendance.................................478-3009/478-3088Cafeteria.....................................................478-3080Guidance....................................................478-3020Nurse..........................................................478-3060Fax.......................294-8531Email addresses for all personnel:lastnamefirstinitial@gcufsd.netBuildings & Grounds..................................478-1080Facilities Permits........................................478-1073Fax.......................294-5631Public Information......................................478-1079Pupil Personnel/Census..............................478-1050Technology/Staff Development.................478-1060Transportation............................478-1900/483-9297Mathematics................................................478-2062Music & Art................................................478-2546Science........................................................478-2091Elementary Schools:Stewart School:Grades 2, 3, 4, 58:10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.501 Stewart Avenue....................................478-1400Principal................................................Linda NortonAssistant Principal............................Mary Ann BlissNurse...........................................................478-1420Fax.......................294-5781Stratford School:97 Stratford Avenue....................................478-1500Principal...................................................Eileen VotaAssistant Principal.............................Janet GonzalezNurse...........................................................478-1520Fax.......................294-9061www.gardencity.k12.ny.usContinuing Education;After School Child Care;Winter Program for Kids...........................478-1070Summer Enrichment..................................478-1540Social Studies.............................................478-2057Special Education.......................................478-2097World Languages.......................................478-2087Primary Schools:Hemlock School:Kindergarten:8:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.First Grade8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.78 Bayberry Avenue..................................478-1600Principal.........................................Audrey BellovinAttendance/Nurse......................................478-1620Fax.....................747-4767Homestead School:2 Homestead Avenue.................................478-1700Principal..........................Suzanne Viscovich, Ed.D.Attendance/Nurse......................................478-1720Fax.....................616-0906Locust School:220 Boylston Street...................................478-1800Principal................................................Jean RicottaAttendance/Nurse......................................478-1820Fax.....................747-458625

Garden City Public Schools56 Cathedral AvenueGarden City, NY 11530www.gardencity.k12.ny.usBoard of EducationColleen E. Foley, PresidentBarbara Trapasso, Vice PresidentAngela Heineman, TrusteeLaura Hastings, TrusteeTom Pinou, TrusteeNon-Profit OrganizationU.S. PostagePAIDGarden City, NY 11530Permit No. 22Robert Feirsen, Ed. D.Superintendent of SchoolsCatherine KnightCoordinator of Public InformationTara WalshPTA Calendar Coordinator