Cross Street Parents Stay Positive

It is just a reality for the parents who have been involved in the Cross Street PTA – when the elementary school closes next year they still plan on staying active within the district, just not at the same building.

It will not be an end to their hard work and dedication within the PTA, rather a matter of relocating to follow their children. These members say they trust the decisions made by superintendent Dr. Michael Nagler – especially PTA co-President Matt Miller.

“We’re hoping to do what’s in the best interest of our kids,” Miller said during a joint meeting of the respective PTAs Monday night at the . “We as parents should encourage teachers, principals and administrators to be creative because that’s how we raise our children at home.”

According to school officials, parents will have the option to move with their children and be absorbed into the new PTA at whichever school their child moves to: , or the .

A member since her daughter started kindergarten at Cross Street, Cathy Bongiorno said although she will continue to be involved, a lot will be missed in the group.

“Without a doubt I will be there and be involved in the school that my kids are moving into,” she said. “For the past 6 years I’ve loved working with this tight knit group, but the changes that are being made are positive.”

Parents were of the opinion that when Cross Street closes it is simply a new opportunity to use the money for new programs like the  and in order to enhance students’ education.  

“Initially we were upset after hearing that Cross Street was closing,” said Christine McGuire, a Mineola mother who has four children in the district. “It’s only my instinct to be nervous at first, especially when it involves our children.”

McGuire said she is optimistic about the upcoming changes and transitions.

“I’m looking ahead and concentrating on the positives,” she said. “Even though three of my kids will be going to different schools with different schedules, as long as it doesn’t affect the quality of their education I am happy.”

Many members of the Cross Street PTA view the closing as part of a “bigger change” to the district as a whole, expressing a willingness to pass it since “it is the best thing to consolidate” the buildings.

“We know the district is moving forward, we’re spreading the word and assisting the administration to expand technologically, socially and reduce costs,” Miller said.

With the majority of PTA parents reportedly on board to vote for the budget, the looming issue surrounds the who have fixed level incomes and fear higher taxes.

According to PTA member Cliff Datys, the people that should be angered should be the parents whose children are being separated and sent to different schools, saying that if they do not have a problem with moving forward no one else should either.

“There are those people in the community who talk to the seniors about the tax levy but it’s a terrible thing to manipulate some of the most vulnerable members of the community,” he said.

Next year three of Eileen Braun’s four children will be going to school separately.

“The past is already behind us,” she said, adding that she is most concerned about her children’s transitions, hoping it will be easy and they will fit into their new surroundings.

The budget vote will be on May 17.