Principal
By John F. Didden, Principal
| Hardly a day goes by without an article or news report appearing commenting on the need for higher standards in education. New York State has been in search of higher standards and greater accountability from schools for the last several years. The state has gone so far as to issue public report cards for every school in the state. Mepham’s report card continues to show how well our students are doing academically. Newsday recently printed an honor roll of Long Island schools that excel in Regents Diplomas and Advanced Placement Scholars. Bellmore-Merrick and Mepham High School was one of only six schools on all of Long Island that was honored on both lists. This is quite an honor for our school and our students. Science department chairperson, Laura Maitland was selected by the Tandy Corporation (Radio Shack) as one of the top 100 teachers of math, science or technology in the nation. Colleges from all around the country continue to accept our students eagerly. | | Principal |
Mepham students continue to excel outside of the classroom as well. Our drama students presented Arsenic and Old Lace and Bye, Bye Birdie this year. The Band garnered numerous awards at a national music festival in Virginia Beach. Last year, the district launched a district-wide lacrosse team for girls. This year we saw the debut of Mepham’s own girls’ lacrosse team. The girls recorded Mepham’s first-ever victory by winning the first game they played. Next year Mepham will have its own golf team for the first time. Our boys’ tennis and track teams had undefeated seasons. Our clubs continue to offer our students a wide variety of activities from which to choose. Once again this year, the International Culture Club joined with the A World of Difference Club and the Gay Straight Alliance to present a variety show which presented music, dance, poetry, and fashion, highlighting the diversity of our increasingly more multicultural society and school community. This wonderful show was performed during school and again in the evening for parents. Mepham clubs give back to the community by conducting blood, food, clothing, and toy drives for the community.
As the year closes, we get ready to say farewell to retiring staff: social studies teacher Bernie Stein and special education teacher, Gloria Wilson are this year’s retirees. Both Bernie and Gloria have made exceptional contributions to the education of our students and to the professional development of our staff. We will miss them. Our staff continues to get younger and younger. We have hired fourteen new teachers for next year. Approximately three quarters of our staff has “turned over” in the last eight and a half years. Our enrollment is expected to increase from 1,200 to 1,450 over the next three to four years.
This annual report would not be complete without acknowledging the outstanding support that we at Mepham receive from the incomparable Mepham Alumni Association. The Who’s Who alumni are a constant inspiration for our students of the great things that can be accomplished through hard work and dedication. No one can match the generosity of the Mepham Alumni Association for the scholarships and gifts you give to the school. Thank you for all that you do for us and particularly for continuing to be such a wonderful example for us all.
From Scuttlebutt, Summer 2001.
