New Superintendent Issues Welcome Letter

The following is the full text of the "Welcome Letter" issued to the public by Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Superintendent Lorna Lewis:

Today we opened our doors to 4897 excited students and a staff that eagerly anticipated their arrival. The class of 2025, our new Kindergartners, entered briskly with all the high hopes and dreams of their parents, as the seniors, class of 2013, returned with the enthusiasm and visions of being accepted to their reach schools. Between these bookends we have a commitment of an invigorated staff to leave no stones unturned in making their dreams possible.

We move forward together to begin another chapter in the history of our district, with an eye on building on our successes of the past. This year we have selected four priority areas to help us focus our work in making the Plainview-Old Bethpage CSD a premier district on Long Island.

• Priority 1: High Academic Standards All students will have access to a challenging and rigorous instructional program that is aligned to Common Core Standards and embeds 21 st century skill demands.
• Priority 2: Safe School Climate The district will support and sustain a safe, nurturing, respectful environment where staff and students are supported to bring out the best in each other.
• Priority 3: Fiscal Prudence The district will provide an educationally sound and fiscally responsible budget that supports students in achieving the mission of the district and is reflective of the community’s support for our schools.
• Priority 4: Community Involvement The district will engage the community in meaningful ways so as to foster support of district programs and services.

We take seriously our responsibility for creating pathways for learning so that we can bring out the unique gifts in each student. What we do in our classrooms matter and efforts to test us away from leaving memorable, magical moments with our children, will not deter us from nurturing curious minds and engaged learners. Developing students who are engaged in our classrooms, stages, athletic fields, as well as in our community, reaffirms the extent to which we have been successful in achieving our mission. It is after all what binds us together as a school community.

Schools are a reflection of a community and in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Schools the success of our students comes as a result of the unwavering support of our community of residents, parents, students and dedicated staff.

Our current economic climate poses a challenge for all of us to work together to sustain the level of achievement and progress in our schools. With increasing state mandates, unaccompanied by the requisite resources, a greater financial burden has been shifted to communities. We will respond by using our resources wisely and building the capacity of our staff to withstand the even greater demands of the future. I will also count on members of the community to serve on advisory committees, lending your talents to moving us forward.

Please use our website to remain updated on the events in our schools. We welcome the community at all of our student performances and athletic events. You may contact the district office at 516-937-6301 or e-mail me at llewis@pobschools.org. I welcome your suggestions as to how the district can better serve your needs.

We are eager, anxious and ready to make this year their best ever!!!