Parents Meet To Talk Track, Share Info at Greenport High

As back-to-school lists begin to take shape, it's time for parents to think about the coming year.

To that end, a Parent Information Meeting regarding Greenport track and field will be held on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium.

Jim Caliendo, the school athletic director, will be onhand to answer questions.

Caliendo said the goal of the meeting would be to discuss plans for the coming school year.

First off, Caliendo said Greenport and Southold will team up this year for boys and girls track teams. 

Since the district is no longer using the Mattituck track, work has been ongoing to spruce up the Greenport track, Caliendo said.

So far, new utility wire has been installed under the track.

Volunteers Steven and Gretchen Mezynieski, owners of Driftwood Darms, have offered to come in with a tractor to weed and rototill the track; the district will borrow rakes from the Mattituck track, so the Greenport track will be up and running in a few weeks.

Also, he said, another volunteer, Costello Marine came by the school and cleared about 12 telephone poles in the back, making room for track equipment.

Caliendo said with track growing as a sport, joining forces with the Southold school district, is "the best thing for us."

Also on the agenda is a new shot put circle, a discus throw, and a new fence for safety. A runway for a long jump will be cleaned up and sand from the district's new playground will also be used for the long jump pit; mats will be garnered for a high jump.

"We're also looking to get some hurdles," Caliendo said. 

The track work is prioritized, Caliendo said, because he does not want the equipment around when school starts and small children will be present. 

Of the future plans, Caliendo said, "I"m excited."

Thursday night's meeting, he said, is aimed at quelling rumors and sharing information.

On the Greenport Union Free School District's Facebook page, a post from Lisa DeLuca and Heather Walker urges parents to attend the meeting.

According to the post, Mattituck school officials informed the Greenport district in the spring "that our students will no longer be allowed to practice at their track.

"Since then, the administration and school board, along with Greenport’s new Athletic Director Jim Caliendo, have been scrambling to enlist community members to help restore the practice track at Greenport. Since the announcement from Mattituck was made in the spring, there was no time to plan and budget for this."

The letter says that the school is committed to all of the students that signed up for track and do not want to let the kids down.

"The work needs to be completed this fall. In addition to refurbishing the track equipment needs to be secured and coaches hired. Some local contractors have generously agreed to help," the post said.

At the meeting, Caliendo will be onhand to discuss progress, to listen to ideas and feedback, and discuss the future of Greenport track. Students who are on the track team and parents are encouraged to attend the meeting to show support, the post concludes.

What do you think of the new track plans? Share your thoughts with Patch.