Co-Curricular Activities Approved in Schools

At Wednesday's board of education meeting in the Sachem Central School District, the board voted to restore co-curricular activities for the 2011-12 school year.

All clubs have been restored in the high schools and most in the middle schools. Elementary teachers can volunteer to be advisors for clubs in their buildings. The board voted 8-1 to approve this and did not have a discussion or debate during the meeting as they met earlier in the week to fully discuss the plan. This has been an ongoing debate on the board for months.

Also at the meeting, Sachem Director of Athletics Pete Blieberg presented the district with news regarding their new from the Carol M. White Physical Education Program.

The grant, which was first reported by Sachem Patch, will be dispersed to the district over the next three years. It will be used to promote healthy lifestyles for Sachem students, staff and community members.

Recognitions at the meeting included several individuals involved with the district's Relay For Life event, as well as students from Lynwood Elementary's "Leader in Me" program. Students from the program presented themselves to the Board with their examples of proactive leadership initiatives.

"I think before packing my lunch in the morning with my mom so I don't pack any dairy products so I can sit with my friend who has a milk allergy," one student said.

Notes and News

• The Charms Music Assistant, an online portal for faculty and students in Sachem's music program that was approved in August, will cost the district $4,950 this first year, and costs in future years will be discounted. The program will be introduced to music students some time this year.
• The Board approved of John P. Grillo Architect, P.C. for the 2011-2012 Capital Improvement Program.
• Naviance, a program that develops a Web-based planning and advising system for the high schools, will be extended to the four middle schools. The program costs $12,840.
• The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 16 at the Board of Education annex at Samoset Middle School. A discussion item at this meeting will be the issue of the vandalism occurring on some of the playgrounds at the elementary schools.