Science is the study of the physical and natural world by using observation and experimentation. It is the process of acquiring knowledge from the surrounding environment through instructional and hands-on activities. South Side High School provides students with the opportunity to expand their scientific boundaries with classes and clubs. But the sharing of knowledge is limited by the available science facilities in our school. The space granted to science education is inadequate for thorough instruction. It is evident that the science facilities require an update. more

The Rockville Centre Youth Council is hosting a presentation and discussion with Phoenix House staff and teen clients about substance abuse among teens on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Rockville Centre Public Library, 221 N. Village Ave. more

Saul Lerner, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District athletic director, recently resigned his post as coordinator of the Nassau County Boys' Basketball Committee because, he said, the Section VIII Athletic Council rejected a proposal of his to fine-tune the seeding process that ultimately determines teams' playing schedules. In 2006, Lerner was the architect of an ability-grouping system that determined a team's conference by its record. Previously, teams were assigned to conferences without much regard to their records. Rather, officials used what they called the "snake," in which teams were seeded and then laid out on a grid that wound back and forth in serpentine fashion. more

My parents chose to move to Rockville Centre because of its reputable school system and its strong sense of community. To protect and to perpetuate our long tradition of providing an excellent education, we must adapt our school to better meet 21st century learning needs and safety standards. The structural and security problems facing South Side High School affect every student’s learning experience. The temporary solutions and quick fixes of the past can no longer provide the best educational experience for our students. more

After 10 days and 150 miles, village resident George Wenk made it from the steps of Oceanside High School all the way to Manchester High School in Connecticut. more

Village stars were shining as Rockville Centre residents took to the stage in three recent productions. more

Rockville Centre's five school board trustees voted unanimously to accept a State Environmental Quality Review Act study that concluded that the proposed renovations of South Side High School would have “no significant adverse environmental impact.” The vote paved the way for the board to authorize, also unanimously, a special district meeting on Thursday, Dec. 17, for the public to vote on the proposed $31.8 million bond issue referendum. Ballots will be cast that day, in the South Side High School gym, between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. more

On Oct. 1, 25 students were inducted into South Side High School’s newly-established chapter of the New York State Science Honor Society. more

Science researchers at South Side High School were busy this summer investigating a variety of problems ranging from health and medicine to producing green energy. Some even came up with environmentally friendly plastics that take less space in our landfills. While high school seniors are consumed with developing and submitting college essays and applications during the fall, Science Research students have the added task of submitting papers for the Siemens-Westinghouse Science Competition. more

I’d like to devote my 750 words this week to shamelessly promoting two books by a former colleague and good friend, Michael Otterman. They are “American Torture” (Melbourne University Publishing, 2007) and “Erasing Iraq: The Human Cost of Carnage,” to be published in 2010. more