On a lovely, bright autumn day in October, the Oyster Bay High School students of the Academic Career Exploration Program (A.C.E.) took a stroll to Dodds & Eder in the town of Oyster Bay. The trip had been planned to deliver homemade treats and cards to graciously thank the staff for providing the students with the supplies necessary to undertake the greenhouse project at Oyster Bay High School. Associates of Dodds & Eder, Sarah Frankel, Dottie Simons, Carrie Leopold and Norma Gattulli, were on hand to greet the students and show them around the beautifully decorated store.
The greenhouse at OBHS was built and maintained by science teachers Greg Bilello and Robert Bennett. Since they retired a year ago, the greenhouse has been in desperate need of tender loving care. At the beginning of this school year, teaching assistants Paula Norton and Kathy Brown brought this to the attention of Ellen Rotolo, the A.C.E. teacher. Both the science and special services departments enthusiastically agreed this would be a great project for the class to undertake. The A.C.E. program students were quickly off and running to reclaim this tired space and transform it into a peaceful oasis.
The custodial staff had been caring for the fish in the Koi pond. They graciously offered to show the students how to care and maintain it. The custodians also made improvements and asked what they could do to help. Pete Diez, Andy Testa and Jose Guzman fixed the broken door, installed soap dispensers and much more. All they asked in return was that they find a companion for the little frog, Peggy Sue and name him or her Jose or Josie.
All that was needed were the plants, soil and pots. That is where the generosity of two local businesses came in. Petals of Locust Valley was among one of those that donated clay pots, orchids, a kumquat tree and many other plants. Diana Ringrose and Brian Schiebel offered these donations and their knowledge and expertise. Dodds & Eder donated soil, perennials, African violets and much more, including a palm tree.
The group included Patrick Farrell, Megan Keffer, Vijetha Lingechetty, Matt Peitz, Evan Torti, Nick Viscovich and Abigail Santiago, who all received pumpkins to decorate later. They were joined by their teacher, Ellen Rotolo, and Teaching Assistants, Melissa Betz, Kathy Brown, Paula Norton, Fran Sotiriou and Michael Waxman.
Not only has the staff of Dodds & Eder donated numerous plants for the OBHS greenhouse, but recently donated two beautiful umbrellas for the tables in the courtyard to be enjoyed by all of the students and faculty.
The A.C.E. students work quietly to the sound of soft music amongst the plants. They are learning cooperation and patience as they watch their plants grow and thrive. This training and the enthusiasm of the students may hopefully lead to further exploration of plant and aquatic life and instill a desire in the students to continue to pursue these interests.
