Athletic Complex Named After Santo Barbarino; Baseball Field Nears Completion

At the Oct. 9 meeting of the Lynbrook Board of Education, board members recognized student achievements and approved a proposal to rename the Marion Street sports complex after Dr. Santo J. Barbarino. In addition, the board heard two reports from the Strategic Planning Committee and acted on new resolutions.

In honor of School Board Recognition Month, the meeting began with two student presentations. The first was a robotics demonstration flawlessly executed by members of the high school’s Robotics Club. The students thanked the board for their progressive and open-minded support of advanced technology instruction at the high school. 

Next, representatives of the high school’s Culinary Arts Club presented board members with homemade apple pies and oatmeal to thank them for their support of a wide range of extracurricular activities that provide students with a well-rounded high school experience.

Two groups of high school students were recognized for outstanding achievement. Joshua Burton, Joseph Cappadona and Tim Hung were recognized as semifinalists in the 59th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Daniel Gomm, Matthew Paris and Joshua Tierney were recognized for being selected as All-State musicians.

Under old business, the board discussed the naming of the Marion Street sports complex, which is home to the district’s new turf field. Board members unanimously approved a proposal to name the athletic complex the Santo J. Barbarino Athletic Complex, in memory of past superintendent Dr. Santo J. Barbarino, who served the district for 32 years and passed away in August 2012. The complex was officially named in a public ceremony at the start of the homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. 

Dr. Paul Lynch, assistant superintendent for finance, operations and information systems, then presented a facilities report summarizing the smooth completion of the turf field at Marion Street, the near completion of the baseball field at South Middle School and the progress that has been made toward getting state approval for the new addition at North Middle School, which is slated for completion by the end of the 2014-15 school year.

In new business, Dr. Lynch announced that the URL for the district website has been changed to www.lynbrookschools.org. 

The launch of an alumni page on the district website was also announced. The purpose of the page is to connect with alumni who are interested in speaking with students about their experiences in college or sharing information about their careers. In other new business, the board adopted its 2013-2014 goals for curriculum and finance, which can be viewed on the district website.    

In addition, the board heard two presentations from members of the Strategic Planning Committee. The first report on communications was presented by Dr. Lynch. He highlighted the progress the committee has made toward meeting its goal; namely, the improved communication with the community at large, including launching an expanded communications system, launching a district Facebook page, assisting the superintendent in presenting the first State of the District address and finalizing communications protocols. 

The second presentation, by Thomas Graham, the district’s director of physical education, athletics and health, dealt with combatting substance abuse. Mr. Graham touched on the many initiatives launched by the district, such as increased community outreach, guest lecturers, expanding peer-to-peer programs and elementary health instruction. 

To view copies of the two presentations, visit www.lynbrookschools.org