At a town hall meeting in Oakland Gardens last week, city Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott discussed topics such as parent involvement and overcrowding with a packed auditorium at MS 74. Community Education Council 26 President Jeanette Segal reminded those who had come to meet the city’s top education official of Feb. 15, that the week of Feb. 13-17 had been designated Respect for All Week and asked that “we all fully engage this initiative tonight.” “I know lately it’s been a back-and-forth confrontation,” Walcott said, acknowledging the recent public ire over Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s education policies. Comment.

After speaking with Bayside activist Mandingo Tshaka, U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) sent a letter to President Barack Obama last week, urging him to recognize the role enslaved African Americans played in the construction of the White House. Comment.

With all due respect, Dee Richards’ Feb. 9-15 headline is incorrect. Comment.

The warm weather and year-round training proved to be too much for Lateisha Philson to pass up. Comment.

The brightest young scientific minds at Benjamin Cardozo High School were busy at work last week preparing for the final round of the New York State Science Olympiad after beating out some notable competition a few days earlier. Comment.

Before Jermaine Lawrence became a national prospect, when Cardozo’s junior varsity was making it to the city championship game two years ago, Kyle Credle was thought of just as highly. As a freshman, he averaged over 20 points per game, before limited playing time and a serious Achilles injury set him back last year. Comments (1).

Bowie (l.) and Harley, 10-year-old cats owned by the Chasen family of Bay Terrace, are the winners of this edition of the TimesLedger Newspapers’ Queens Critter contest. Harley is named after a Harley Davidson motorcycle because he purrs loudly, and Bowie is named after David Bowie because she has two different colored eyes, which is similar to the rock star’s injured pupil in one eye, the family said. Comment.

When Gleason’s auto repair shop on Bell Boulevard closed down in December — seemingly overnight — customers were left scratching their heads and wondering where to go to have their vehicles’ head gaskets replaced. Comment.

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) said he believes that when the state legislative task force on reapportionment releases its congressional district maps, his will contain more of Queens while the district held by his newest colleague, Rep. Bob Turner (R-Middle Village), may be eliminated. Comments (1).

Activist Mandingo Tshaka has probably earned his weight in proclamations and awards over the years, but the Bayside Historical Society, which honored him for Black History Month, thinks he is worth every ounce. Comment.

Before last week, Bayside had not defeated Cardozo in 11 years. But just minutes into the second quarter, with a large lead, it was evident that the losing streak was coming to an end. Comments (1).