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Audit shows Farmingdale's Horizon program is meeting needs of students Overall the Farmingdale School District's Horizons is meeting the needs of students, according to the results of a review that were presented at the school district's November board meeting. The Horizons Program, which serves gifted and talented students, underwent an extensive review. Program director Barbara Pandolofo said the review included everything from the curriculum and teaching methods, to how the students feel about the program and its affects their emotional and social needs. According to a survey of students and their parents the program "meets the academic needs of students," but many said that the students' "social/ emotional needs should be emphasized and more fully addressed". Many of the students enrolled in the Horizons Program are under some additional academic stresses. For example, at the elementary level it was found that, due to the program, students missed regular classwork and instructional time and that at the middle school level, students have a rigorous workload. In light of these results, the Horizon's committee recommends that more social and emotional standards be integrated into the program and "additional strategies and resources designed to reduce identified students stressors" be implemented and incorporated into the program. In other business, the school district's annual audit findings were presented.The independent audit was completed this year by Nawrocki Smith LLP. Mike Nawrocki presented the findings, showing, that basically everything was in order. "The audit ran very smoothly," said Nawrocki. Nawrocki said there were no weaknesses nor deficiencies uncovered on the program and that no major changes were recommended. Superintendent John Lorentz, gave his update on the district's handling of an incident of MRSA. The school sent letters home to inform parents of the news and a flier was available at the board meeting, giving parents further information. Lorentz assured residents that the school is doing everything it can to stop the infection from spreading, by keeping the school clean and orderly. "No additional cases of MRSA have been reported other than this one student," said Lorentz. The student that is infected is doing well and is recovering. Lorentz also spoke to the public about the handling of rumors throughout the district of threats being made against some students. Lorentz said the schools have been working along with the Nassau County Police to address the issue. "At this point, the rumor continues to grow and change on a daily basis," said Farmingdale High School Principal Glen Zakian, in a letter that was sent home to parents. "I am confident to report that all leads, names and tips that were investigated have not developed into actual events," added Zakian. Lorentz reported that each tip has been investigated thoroughly and any new tips will be investigated as well. "When student safety is involved, you can never be too cautious," said Lorentz. Parents and residents were told to contact the school to report anything of concern. The next Farmingdale board meeting is on December 12, at 8 PM in the cafeteria of Howitt Middle School.
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