Coalition for Glen Cove

James Lethbridge, Glen Cove Finley Middle School Principal, speaks at December meeting of Coalition

In introducing James Lethbridge, Coalition vice president Helen Kotzky said that he has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the State University of New York at Oswego and an administrative certification from Hofstra University. He taught for seventeen years in the Bellmore-Merrick district as a technology teacher, director of a youth recreation program, dean of students, and assistant principal. Mr. Lethbridge’s experience has been in the middle school throughout his career. He became principal of the Glen Cove Finley Middle School in September.

Mr. Lethbridge stated that changes in the middle school will improve student learning. The curriculum is being unified. More students are being encouraged to participation in extra curricular activities, although the problem of how to provide buses for students who stay after school for extracurricular activities has not been solved.

Mr. Lethbridge informed the Coalition of his goal of expanding to a nine-period day at the middle school. This would be accomplished by shortening current classes by about five minutes, from 46minutes to 41minutes. A nine-period schedule would enable music and chorus rehearsal to take place during the school day rather than after school and would also enable students who need extra help to take advantage of academic intervention services without losing opportunities to take unified arts classes.

Helen Kotzky discussed the importance of giving students choices on how they are asked to present information and demonstrate their knowledge. Bob Desiano felt that classroom instruction is being driven by the assessments. He is also concerned that students scheduled for academic intervention services do not have the time to take advantage of computer classes. Ted Holmes stressed the acquisition of computer competence both to help students with academic subjects and help them function in the world. Betty Cammisa inquired about science courses in the middle school that have no scheduled lab periods. She is concerned that few students are interested in participating in science fairs or science research. Ms. Cammisa also asked how Glen Cove will provide graphing calculators for the courses that require them.

Ted Holmes and Don Scarl asked how students learn to treat others with respect and never to bully, harass, or haze other people verbally, emotionally, or physically. Mr. Lethbridge said that guidance counselors go to classrooms to discuss that. The rules against harassment are presented clearly in a student conduct book that is given to members of athletic teams.

Don Scarl asked Mr. Lethbridge what his budget needs were for the 2004/2005 school year. Mr. Lethbridge explained that there would need to be capital improvements to the middle school and that increased staffing might be needed in order to expand to a nine period day. Increasing the number of honors classes and reducing the size of large sections of some courses might also affect the budget.