The Glen Cove Board of Education recognized the Class of 2012's top-ranking students during their public business meeting at Gribbin Elementary School Monday.

Superintendent Dr. Joseph Laria commended the students on their achievement, and offered words of advice for the future:

"I believe in the young people I see here 100 percent," he said. "Though class rank does not necessarily set your future in stone, over the years I've learned that if you all stay focused and work hard, if you believe it, anything is possible in this miracle of a land called America."

The Board named Alison Abrams as Valedictorian, Alexandra Gerin as Salutatorian and Gorov Sodhi as Honorarian.

District Approves SAT/ACT Prep Program

The Board approved Method Prep to provide professional SAT/ACT preparation for high school students on Saturdays.

"We put a lot of research into selecting a program, considering hours of instruction, flexibility and face-to-face instruction," said Laria.

The program will cost up to $300 for students who wish to take the course. Some students may qualify for a reduced price on the course.

Student Assessment Scores 

Trustee Joel Sunshine showed concern for student assesment scores, particularly in the middle school, and solicited discussion on how the district can improve them.

"For years, way before current adiministrations, we determined that the biggest problem has been the middle school," he said. "The trend appears to be that third through fifth grade scores are really high, then in the sixth grade, the scores plummet. That, to me, means that there's something different happening, as opposed to a natural occurence. I'm wondering what can be done about this."

Laria added: "I think your points are right on target. At this point, it's still a work in progress."