The student leaders of Birch Lane Elementary School in the Massapequa School District know a little something about trying to make a difference in their community. On April 1, they got to meet two officials who have the same goal.
Town of Oyster Bay Parks Department Commissioner Joseph Pinto and Deputy Commissioner Gregory Mangino met with Birch Lane’s student council for an afterschool question-and-answer session. It was a chance for youngsters to learn more about local government and hear from decision makers that impact their community.
Advisers Meghan Reedy and Allison Rifkin said that they invited the two leaders to come in because children naturally have a connection to their local parks, whether to enjoy the playgrounds or play sports. Student council members asked several questions about town facilities in Massapequa including John J. Burns Park, Marjorie R. Post Park, Field of Dreams and TOBAY Beach. Their inquiries ranged from the rules about dogs in parks to playground design to the process for making improvements to athletic fields.
The commissioners also provided insight on some of the other town departments. They presented each student with a gift including a Town of Oyster Bay drawstring bag, two parks T-shirts, a miniature American flag and a jar of slime.
The student council consists of representative from each fifth grade class. Before the meeting, they brainstormed questions for Mr. Pinto and Mr. Mangino.
“We wanted the students to understand their local government and see how they can have a say in it,” Ms. Reedy said.