THE SAGA OF THE FAMED BAYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL FOLK/ ROCK FESTIVAL OF 1970- A RICH BUCKLAND PRODUCTION WHICH FEATURED SOME OF THE GREAT ICONS OF THE 1960'S INCLUDING DAVID BLUE, IAN WHITCOMB, BARBARA DANE AND THE FUGS!

Bayside High School in Queens, New York began an early celebration of its 80th anniversary, making it one of the oldest public schools in the five boroughs. At a ceremony Saturday, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing), state Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) and state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) gathered with students, staff and alumni of the storied school to mark the occasion. The lawmakers presented proclamations declaring the importance of the school and the significance of the anniversary. Opened in 1936, and built during the Great Depression, Bayside High School was the first in the city to be constructed with federal funds from the New Deal-era Public Works Administration. The school cost $2.5 million. Gregg Sullivan, chairman of the Friends of Bayside High School, ran through many of the great historical events the school had borne witness to. “This school takes us through a number of great human events,” he said. “The Great Depression, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars and the J.F.K. assassination. The school was also home to the very first Folk and Rock Concert to benefit education in Native American schools in the United States as produced by student Rich Buckland. The historical significance of the school, and its 80 years as a single entity, were themes each speaker touched on. “You have to love what Bayside has been and is for the community,” Avella said. “It is a historic school.” Principal Michael Athy, speaking about his vision of the school—past, present and future—said the success of Bayside is due to its legacy as one of the most rigorous and community-oriented schools in the city.