Update 3-11-08

Hi,

Let's start with a correction.

From Barbara Blitfield Pech:  Just a quick note to say that Ryki Zuckerman and the recent Florida reunion participants were from the class of '66.  Although when I saw Ryki again, I realized she still could pass for a kid from the class of '67.

    [Rich -- Sorry, of course.  Part of the problem is I've been updating the class mailing list, finally deleting the names of anyone we don't have an e-mail address for or who we've lost contact with again in the past seven years.  And of the two-hundred names, fifty-or-so belong to people from other classes.  Since I don't always know exactly which class, if I think these people are older than we are, I put them in the class of '61, and if I think they're younger, I put them in the class of '67.  I kind of accidentally put the Florida party in that last category, too.]
   
    Next, a letter from Nell Landman and Michael Mahler, coordinators of South's upcoming Career Day -- in case anyone's wondering what that program entails:
        On Wednesday, March 19th, we will be having a Career Day at Valley Stream South High School.  Your commitment to our students on this day is truly wonderful, and we look forward to having you spend time at our school.
        Regarding the schedule:  The arrival time will be 7:30 AM, breakfast will be served, and the presentations will continue until 10:30.  Our target audience of ninth graders will assemble in the cafeteria for a brief introduction and keynote address, and then we will divide into smaller, more personal groups, so the students may benefit from your presentations.
        You will be part of a group panel making a presentation to two different groups of students.  Time will also be allowed for questions during each presentation.  We ask that you address the following information:
            Which courses did you have to take in high school and college?
            How did your high school courses or teachers help you decide on your profession?
            In what way or ways was high school important to your career path?
            What college or trade school did you attend, and why did you select that institution?
            Why did you choose your particular profession?
            Explain the details of your job, including your daily responsibilities and duties.
            Explain why you find fulfillment in your position.
            What challenges should students expect if they pursue your profession?
        If possible, any materials you can bring to distribute to the students for further understanding of your profession would be appreciated.  If there are any questions, please feel free to contact us.
   
    Third, from Amy Lieberman, who assures me she only sends these reminders to me, not to the class.  And I assure her that other people are also interested in Boston Legal singer Billy Valentine's career:
        Music time again, with our very own Billy Valentine and the Stuart Elster Trio.  One very special date:  Tuesday, March 25th at the Vibrato Grill & Jazz.  2930 North Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles, California  90077.  Phone:  310-474-9400.  From 6:30 on.  We really want this place to see how loved our Billy is, so do try to make it to this one if you can.
        Also, every month now at the Casa Del Mar Hotel, this month on Monday, March 24th.  1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, California  90405.  Phone:  310-581-5533.  6:30 -- 10:30 PM.
        Hope to see you soon.
   
    Fourth, a note from Emily Kleinman Schreiber:  Hello, everyone.  I'm attaching the minutes of the February Alumni Association meeting.  These were approved at our March 6th meeting.  The section referring to the Act of Kindness is quite different now since Maureen Henry, South's principal, has recently discovered a student who has a brother in Iraq.  We will be able to send him some wanted or needed items.
        Also, the "Wall of Service" showcase will probably cost a good deal more than we wanted to donate, so we're not going ahead with that at this time.
         A giant Thank You to those of you who have renewed your memberships.  Your much-needed support is absolutely appreciated.
        Last, if there's anything you'd like me to include in the next Alumni Association Bulletin, please send it to me as soon as possible.  My e-mail address again is:  Cre8em@aol.com.  These articles could include good news, a piece about something or someone South High School-related, or a fond memory of South.

    Finally, highlights of those February 7th Alumni Association meeting minutes, as usual, respectfully submitted by Roberta Brill Birnel
        President Emily Kleinman Schreiber called tonight’s meeting to order at 7:30 PM.  Present:  Roberta Brill Birnel, Peter Caparelli, Paul DeMartino, Booker Gibson, Karen Grimm, Linda Tobin Kettering, Irwin Kotcher, Patricia McGivern, Enid Koss Parness, Claire Brush Reinhardt, Ray Richford, Emily Kleinman Schreiber, and Dennis Shapiro.  Also present was South’s principal Maureen Henry.  Regrets were received from Laura and Ken Ulric, Robin Feit Baker, Arlene Lynn, and Joe Anfora.
        A correction was made to the minutes of the meeting on February 7th:  Irene Sundal volunteered to be a
    fifth trustee of the Alumni Association, not Eileen Howell.
        Dennis Shapiro presented the Treasurer’s report.  We now have twenty-two lifetime members. 
        New Business:
        Claire Brush Reinhardt attended South's Culture Committee meeting as our representative.  The
    committee is looking for a service project for next school year.
        There will be several alumni speaking at South's Career Day.  The keynote speaker will be Lawrence Levy from Hofstra University.  Others are:  Harold Gribbin, Betty Hanson Singer, Steve Harris, Rich Eisbrouch, Victor Sesman, Salvatore Interlandi, Declan McSheffrey, and Emily Kleinman Schreiber.
        Pat McGivern, a teacher at South from 1966 to 2001 and now a substitute teacher there, told us how well South is being run and that many diverse groups of students are getting along well together.
        Acts of Kindness update:
        Principal Maureen Henry said that there are no South students who have direct family members in the war zones.  Therefore, our Act of Kindness will have to be changed.  We asked about particular student needs, thinking perhaps to donate money for students to attend the junior dinner, prom, or to help pay for college
    applications.  Another suggestion was a Wall of Service, to be put up in the school and donated by the Alumni Association at a cost of no more than $200.  If this is approved by the school board, the Wall would be placed at the Gladys Street entrance.  Maureen Henry will e-mail us about the cost.
        Another suggestion was for an Athletic Hall of Fame, covering from 1958 to the present.
        Maureen Henry told us of other activities at South:
            The Southern Bell has a new advisor.
            Terence Wagner, who was head of the student group that worked on the inner courtyard, is planning to do some plantings in the spring.  There is also going to be a formal dedication of the courtyard and a new time capsule "planting."
            In response to our asking for a list of new graduates and their addresses for our membership drive, Maureen Henry suggested that a letter to graduating seniors from the school and the Alumni Association could be given out in classes and then collected.  Linda Tobin Kettering volunteered to write our letter.  It was also suggested that we give new graduates a free year of membership in the Alumni Association.
            Steven McDonald, the injured police officer, will speak about “Forgiveness” at a South assembly for
    tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders.
            BOCES will present a musical on anti-bullying.
            Two hundred parents attended the induction ceremonies of five honor societies.
            There was a day of Valley Stream service.
            ELA testing is scheduled for next month.
            Scholarship applications are due back on March 26th.  There was some discussion about the recipient selection:
            Irwin Kotcher asked if we could award our choice B if our choice A gets many other awards.
            Pat McGivern suggested encouraging students to write the necessary essays.
            It was suggested that Ross Lipsky, the audio-visual expert faculty member, produce a commercial to advise students about the Alumni Association’s scholarship.  That could be aired during their morning announcements.
            The date of the Alumni Association’s Scholarship Committee meeting will be decided during the March meeting.
        Next, we discussed the need for us to complete a 501C3 application to attain non-profit status.  A committee was established to meet for this purpose.
        Old business:
        Irwin Kotcher will let Emily know about a price for our Alumni Association banner.
        We will ask for nominations for new officers at our next meeting.
        The last three meetings of the Alumni Association for this school year are on April 3rd, May 1st, and June 5th.  Please try to attend. Your participation is needed.
        The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.