Peekskill High School Cracks Down on Tardiness

Efforts to improve student behavior at Peekskill High School in the wake of a are under way with a crackdown on tardiness and a planned review of student use of electronic devices in classrooms, the Board of Education was told last week.

The crackdown followed a Jan. 17 meeting of teachers, administrators and board members as part of what board President Joseph Urbanowicz described as an effort to “change the culture” in the school.

Parents and guardians can expect morning (covering periods 1-4) and afternoon (covering periods 5-8) telephone calls if a student is tardy or absent, said Joseph Mosey, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Parents and guardians are supposed to notify the school if a child will be absent – because of illness, for example.

Superintendent of Schools James Willis said the district planned to review student use of electronic devices in classrooms. Board member Douglas Glickert suggested surveying teachers regarding which devices are enhancing learning and which are proving disruptive.

In other action Tuesday, Jan. 24:

• As part of its continuing review of district policies (listed on the district Web site) the board adopted updated policies on declassification of students with disabilities; homeless children and regulation; and prohibited student conduct. The board also received first readings of updated policies on athletic eligibility; management of student activities funds; Medicaid compliance; and public report on revisions to district policies, practices and procedures upon a finding of significant disproportionality. Willis will seek answers to board members’ concerns about the athletic eligibility policy – a student suspended for a “serious violation” of the code of conduct (questioned by Marcela Bobe) and whether the contract covering basketball cheerleading should specify supporting the girls team as well as the boys team (advocated by Michael Simpkins).
• The architect is putting the finishing touches on the work planned under the bond issue approved in May, including the wellness center and the expansion of the cafeteria at the high school. The state Education Department is expected to review the plans in February and, if all goes well, approve them by April, after which the district will seek bids for the work.
• The district’s deadline for responding to the Joint Intervention Team report has been extended to March 1, Mosey told the board.
• Urbanowicz urged renewed effort to ensure that all content on the district Web site is current and that all links are operational. Board member Tuesday McDonald said the site had “fallen by the wayside,” with nothing about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (whose birthday holiday was observed Jan. 16), and urged the district not to “miss the boat” on Black History Month (February). Willis promised to follow up.
• The board approved the following retirements, effective June 30: Alice MacLennan, director of special education; Susan Buchanan, special education teacher; John Cooley, science teacher; Susan Mahoney, home and careers teacher.
• The board accepted the resignations of Dina Akhnoukh, substitute teacher, effective Jan. 25, and Margaret Conklin, teacher aide, effective Jan. 27.
• The board approved the following appointments: Susan Smith, replacement nurse; Kathleen Barthelmes, Bria Cianci, Danielle Urbanowicz and Cori Witkiewicz, substitute teachers; Heather Franchino and Andrew Hernon, student teachers; Vanessa Garcia, intern; Claire Herzberg, volunteer.
• The board approved the following teachers for Regents review classes: April Kellam, Enid Lopez-Nieves, Wilton Mason, David Mueller.
• The board accepted the following donations: $3,000 from Marylou Staropoli to be distributed to graduating high school seniors on behalf of the John Devins Scholarship Fund; $2,000 from Staropoli to the Jason Paige Fitness and Wellness Center; $200 from Carlos A. Butler to be distributed to graduating high school seniors by the Black Culture Club on behalf of the Kevin Gerard Butler Scholarship Fund; $50 from Marlo S. Gantt to be distributed to graduating high school seniors by the Jason C. Paige Scholarship Committee.
• The board approved the following contracts: School Alliance Continual Improvement, $16,506, grant funded, for analysis and evaluation Feb. 7-10 of services to limited English proficient students and English language learners, including the dual-language program; consultant Elivra Scotto Padavanto, not to exceed $20,000, to help the district develop a PreK-grade 12 math standards-based curriculum for the 2012-13 school year.
• The board accepted a gift of musical equipment from Thomas Piliouras.
• The board authorized payment of $127,280.46 to 3 Corporate Drive LLC to settle a tax certiorari claim.
• Bobe suggested encouraging student volunteers to read to younger children to help them develop enthusiasm for reading.