Shame on Community Board 11. Instead of embracing the fact that Bayside High School, which has been maligned in past years, wants to crow about its tremendous successes of late, the CB 11 picks on a petty annoyance and votes to have the school’s new sign removed (“Bayside High should remove sign: CB 11,” Bayside Times, Jan. 7).
Bayside is our community school. Recently it has won the citywide chess championship, two PSAL championships and had more students selected to compete in the New York Greater Metropolitan Math Fair than any other city high school.
In addition, the sign is used to promote upcoming events, including those open to the public. Last year, with no sign only a handful of neighborhood children showed up for the annual Halloween pumpkin festival. This year, with the sign advertising the event, more than 100 people came.
Even though Bayside HS was willing to compromise by shutting off the sign after school hours, CB 11 would not budge. One reason it used for voting to remove the sign was that it was a danger to students because drivers are distracted by its bright lights.
But why then is there a similar sign at Holy Cross HS on Francis Lewis Boulevard — a more congested road than Corporal Kennedy Street? No community board is asking Holy Cross HS to remove its sign.
A comprise would be to tone down the bright colors used on the sign and keep it off when it gets dark outside so the illumination does not cause a distraction to drivers and neighbors.
But let Bayside HS announce its upcoming events and accomplishments.
Erika Freed
Bayside
