The Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District Board of Education pictured in the back row from left to right Trustees Rose Peltonen, Laura Trentacoste, Michele Vincent, Board
President Jaclyn O’Donohue and Vice President Michael Culotta with students in honor of Board Appreciation Month. (Photo courtesy of the Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District)
During the board of education meeting on Oct. 10, the Floral Park-Bellerose School District honored its board members for Board Recognition Month, its principals for National Principals Month and celebrate recently tenured teachers.
Interim Superintendent Lisa Ruiz acknowledged Board Recognition Month and thanked the board for their service.
“Our members are extraordinary volunteers and tonight we are highlighting them for their dedication, commitment and the many hours of hard work they put in; we are truly fortunate to have such a strong, supportive team guiding our schools to ensure the success of all our students,” Ruiz said. “Even though we make a special effort to show our appreciation in October, their contribution is a year-round commitment.”
Following Board Recognition Month, meeting attendees and board of education members were praised the achievements of elementary teachers Marissa Critelli and Rachael Sutherland for their recent tenure appointments.
The evening presentations closed with Ruiz acknowledging Floral Park-Bellerose School Principal John DeKams and John Lewis Childs School Principal Kristina Lynch for National Principals Month.
Hillside Grade School first graders tasted Red Delicious, Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples and voted on their favorite flavor on Oct. 2. (Photo courtesy of New Hyde Park-Garden City Park Union Free School District)
Hillside Grade School first graders tasted a variety of apples as the culmination of their science unit on the popular fall fruit on Oct. 2.
After learning about the different parts of an apple — such as the skin, stem and core — and reading “Johnny Appleseed,” the first grade classes tasted Red Delicious, Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples. Each student and their teacher then voted on which flavor was their favorite one.
This lesson was interdisciplinary, as it involved reading, counting the number of votes and coloring in graphs, along with learning how an apple grows.
State Assembly Member Edward Ra is currently serving his seventh term in the state Assembly, representing parts of the towns of Hempstead and North Hempstead in Nassau County.
Ra serves as ranking minority member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. The committee vets all bills with fiscal implications, most critically the legislation that comprises the state budget. He previously served as assistant minority leader pro tempore, a role in which he coordinated and led floor debate for the Conference.
Ra graduated from Loyola College in Maryland in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science. He received his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law in 2007 and his Master of Laws in Intellectual Property Law from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2008.
Ra is admitted to practice law in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Prior to his election, Ra served as a deputy town attorney for the Town of Hempstead and as a legal aide in the Office of the New York State Attorney General.
Ra is a member of the Franklin Square Kiwanis, a 3rd Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the 12 Apostles Council and a member of the Cellini Lodge no. 2206 Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America.
Ra is a resident of Garden City South, where he lives with his wife Laura and their shelter dog Carter.
Political party affiliation: Republican
Top 3 Issues:
1. Public Safety:
Public safety remains a top priority for me because it’s a pressing concern for New Yorkers. 87% of New Yorkers say crime is a serious problem in NYS and 61% worry about
becoming a crime victim.
Ra said progressive policies passed in Albany have created a dangerous cycle of repeat offenders, leaving people afraid to walk down their own streets. Instead of allowing these policies to persist, he said we must repeal them, hold criminals accountable and address the root causes of crime, including the opioid crisis.
Equally important to Ra is ensuring that law enforcement officers have the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. Ra said restoring public safety is critical for the well-being of our communities, and he is fully committed to providing solutions that protect New Yorkers and return a sense of security to neighborhoods.
2. Affordability:
Ra said affordability is another crucial issue affecting families across the state. As the ranking republican member on the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, he said he’s seen firsthand how decisions made in Albany directly impact the financial health of New Yorkers. The cost of living is rising rapidly, with families facing higher prices for everything from groceries to energy bills and housing-related expenses.
On top of this, new taxes to replace congestion pricing threaten to make living and working in New York even more difficult. Ra is advocating for immediate relief through measures like the “Inflation Relief and Consumer Assistance Plan,” which aims to reduce energy bills and provide direct financial support to families.
Ra said we need tax cuts, not tax hikes, to protect households from future cost increases and ensure New Yorkers can keep more of their hard-earned money.
3. Child Care:
The cost of child care is an urgent issue that affects families in every corner of the state, especially on Long Island.
With some families paying up to $20,000 annually per child, child care has become a significant financial burden that prevents parents from returning to the workforce and hampers economic mobility. Even families earning at or above the median household income are struggling to keep up with these rising costs.
This is why Ra spearheaded the ABC Plan, a comprehensive proposal to address this crisis by increasing tax incentives for families, expanding early childhood education and boosting child care provider options.
The plan is designed to save the average family more than $2,300 each year while ensuring every child has access to high-quality, affordable care. Ra said he is committed to making child care more accessible and affordable so parents can balance work and family without sacrificing financial security.
The American Legion Post 304 will be holding its annual Veterans Day Service this year at Mary Jane Davies Park at 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 11.
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is a Federal Holiday observed on Nov. 11. This holiday honors all veterans of the US Armed Forces.
Services are held at 11:00 a.m. to commemorate the end of formal hostilities in World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the armistice with Germany went into effect.
It was renamed Veterans Day at the recommendation of the major US veteran organizations in 1954. Everyone is invited to the Memorial Service.
Floral Park-Bellerose Elementary School heating system failure in 2018. A proposed bond vote in January will update the heating systems in the district. (Photos courtesy of Floral Park-Bellerose School District)
The Floral-Park Bellerose School District is considering converting the heating systems for John Lewis Elementary School and Floral Park-Bellerose Elementary School from steam to hot water and cooling various spaces.
The project will involve converting the heating and ventilation systems, adding unit ventilators with air conditioning in offices and classrooms, adding auditorium air conditioning and other piping and mechanical repairs. It is estimated at $28,602,940 for heating conversion and AC systems or $20,276,715 for only a heating conversion system and prepares for future AC units.
It will be up for a bond vote on Jan. 28.
Ralph Cassetta, president of Campbell Cassetta Architects, presented recommendations for the heating and cooling systems to the Floral Park-Bellerose Board of Education.
Also, Campbell Cassetta Architects and Energia Engineering — both of whom have 15 years of experience working in the two elementary schools — prepared a study for the board.
“Our task was to assess the existing heating and cooling systems, recommend a replacement system to the current heating system, recommend various cooling systems and develop a construction schedule and cost estimates,” Cassetta said.
Cassetta said the age of the steam heating system is the “biggest reason” for this project. Much of the steam and condensate piping in the buildings is approaching 100 years old, and many of the classroom unit ventilators are from the 1950s.
“Most of the piping is inaccessible — behind walls, below concrete slabs, in vertical chases and that includes the steam traps for the system, which some of them we don’t even know where they are because they’re behind locations that have been renovated and there’s no record of it,” Cassetta said.
Cassetta said the district has experienced several failures over the past decade with the steam heating system. The failures resulted in costly repairs and made spaces unusable until the problem was repaired.
One of the system failures occurred at John Lewis Elementary School in 2013, costing over $160,000. As a result, three classrooms had to be shut down temporarily.
In 2018, one of the pre-k classrooms in the Floral Park-Bellerose Elementary School needed to be renovated entirely due to deteriorated steam and condensate piping failure. Construction costs exceeded $300,000.
This year, the piping in the boiler room of John Lewis Elementary School failed. It needed to be re-piped, and this was the second time the piping system had to be repaired.
The piping in the boiler room of John Lewis Elementary School failed this year. Pipes needed to be repaired.
Cassetta said it’s difficult to be proactive with system maintenance because the timing and location of the next failure are almost impossible to predict and budget for.
Cassetta recommended a hydronic heating system, which he said is more energy-efficient, longer-lasting, evenly distributes heat better, lower maintenance and has no steam traps. This system can also provide air conditioning. Its lifespan is estimated to be about 40 to 50 years, with occasional maintenance starting at 20 years.
“Based on our reviews of the buildings’ piping systems and layout, we believe that the best approach is to maximize the work installed prior to converting from steam to hot water, minimizing the amount of time the heating system will be out of service,” Cassetta said.
Under the proposed project, the first phase of construction would start August 2026 through July 2027. This would involve installing hot water mains and piping. The existing heating system would remain in operation throughout this phase.
The second phase would be from November 2026 to November 2027. The equipment would be replaced in April 2027, and construction would occur after normal class hours. All existing unit ventilators, air handlers, steam coils, convectors and fan coils with hot water equipment will be replaced during the summer. The new heating system would then be operational by October 2027.
In construction phase three, from July 2027 to February 2028, all of the boilers would be completely renovated. The out-of-service piping would be removed after normal class hours. In the spring of 2028, the new AC systems would be operational.
If the bond passes, the bid date for this project is in June 2026.
'Set player celebrating a touchdown on the field during homecoming game (Photo courtesy of the Manhasset Public Schools)
Sun shined brightly overhead as the Manhasset community came together to celebrate its inimitable spirit at Manhasset Secondary School’s annual homecoming parade and game on Oct. 19.
Led by members of the color guard from American Legion Post 304, the parade stepped off on Colonial Parkway with administrators, board members, community members, faculty, staff and students proudly marching down Plandome Road as supporters lined the streets to cheer them on.
Manhasset High School Class of 2025 with their decorated jeep ready to join the homecoming parade (Photo courtesy of the Manhasset Public Schools)
The air was filled with rhythm and melody as the high school band kept the route upbeat and lively with their musical performances.
Rolling along behind the band were members of the freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior classes who decorated their cars with balloons, banners and streamers, showcasing their school spirit.
The pre-game ceremony started with the Senior Day recognition of twenty-three varsity football players of the Class of 2025 who were each greeted with loud applause.
Manhasset High School girls lacrosse team bring their spirit and smiles to the homecoming parade (Photo courtesy of the Manhasset Public Schools)
Following the senior introductions, the announcers made special mention of the Class of
1984 alumni who were celebrating their 40-year reunion over the weekend and in the stands to enjoy the game.
Before the official coin toss, all eyes were on the flag as students Catie Tepedino and Adriana Chan sang the National Anthem.
After a dominant first half by the ‘Set, the crowd enjoyed food and purchased Manhasset gear from our Booster Club members and were entertained with selections performed by the high school band.
After a long day of marching and celebrating with family and friends, fans were thrilled to close out the homecoming festivities with a ‘Set win of 42-0 over the Mineola Mustangs.
Manhasset High School Band sets the tempo as they perform during the homecoming parade (Photo courtesy of the Manhasset Public Schools)Manhasset ‘Set players make a grand entrance to kick off homecoming (Photo courtesy of the Manhasset Public Schools)‘Set fans in the stands celebrating homecoming (Photo courtesy of the Manhasset Public Schools)More ‘Set celebrating as they expand their lead over Mineola (Photo courtesy of the Manhasset Public Schools)Manhasset High School Band performs during homecoming halftime (Photo courtesy of the Manhasset Public Schools)
Community Service Leaders from the John F. Kennedy Elementary School are pictured
with Principal Ron Gimondo and faculty advisors Lisa Keen, Perri Taxin, and Assistant
Principal Ai-Hui Chang (Photo courtesy of the Great Neck Public Schools)
At the October meeting of the Great Neck Public Schools Board of Education, 17 fifth-grade students from John F. Kennedy Elementary School were recognized for their commitment to serving their school community.
JFK Principal Ron Gimondo introduced each fifth-grader who will serve as a Community Service Leader for the 2024-25 school year. Students were selected based on their leadership skills and dedication to the school community.
They will work closely with faculty members and their fellow students to implement various service projects, including food drives, art murals and promoting districtwide and school-based events.
JFK’s Community Service Leaders are mentored by faculty advisors Lisa Keen, Perri Taxin and Assistant Principal Ai-Hui Chang, who volunteer their time to meet with students, nurture their ideas, encourage collaboration and ensure the success of each
service project.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the state will invest $1.8M in the South Floral Park Fire Department. Pictured from left to right is South Floral Park Mayor Nyakya Brown, Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Assembly Member Michaelle Solages. (Photo courtesy of Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced new investments in Long Island’s volunteer firefighter community, including the South Floral Park Fire Department.
The state invested $1.85 million to expand the South Floral Park Fire Department’s Training Center. In just a decade, this department transformed from a unit with 20 members to a thriving organization of 51 volunteers. Hochul’s goal of this investment is for the department to construct facilities that match its impact and service to the surrounding communities.
“This investment in the South Floral Park Fire Department not only improves the fire department’s capabilities and training, it is an investment in the safety of our entire community,” Nyakya Brown, mayor of South Floral Park, said at a conference on Oct. 15. “I am grateful to our partners in state government for securing this transformational funding for South Floral Park.”
According to Hochul, New York is home to more than 1,600 volunteer fire departments, with nearly 91,000 volunteer firefighters serving their communities. On Long Island, she said volunteers run nearly all of the 179 departments, saving local taxpayers billions of dollars each year. At the conference, she emphasized the importance of supporting these volunteers, not only through training programs, but also by addressing their health and well-being.
At the conference, Hochul said New York’s firefighters serve with unparalleled bravery and dedication. She said every day, they risk their lives to protect others, often on a volunteer basis. She said she wanted to recognize their “extraordinary contributions” by investing in critical resources for them.
“And this fire department is a model for all that is possible,” Hochul said about the South Floral Park Fire Department.
Hochul said the department, which provides mutual aid and service for neighboring communities, deserves to have facilities that match the caliber of their impact.
“Today’s announcement brings vitally important resources to our community,” State Assembly Member Michaelle Solages said at the conference. “Our volunteer firefighters sacrifice so much to protect our communities — they should be given the necessary support to ensure they have everything they need to train for and handle emergencies. I am grateful to Gov. Hochul for her support of Long Island fire departments and to Mayor Brown and the South Floral Park Village Board for working tirelessly to deliver for our heroic firefighters.”
The Village of South Floral Park said on Facebook that they are thrilled to have been awarded this money, as part of Hochul’s initiative to support and invest in Long Island’s volunteer fire departments. They said these investments reflect Hochul’s commitment to empowering volunteer firefighters.
“This incredible funding will help enhance our facilities, improve firefighter training and provide the equipment needed to keep our community safe,” the Village of South Floral Park said on Facebook.
Long Island Scholar Artist Merit Award recipient Su Qi Tian is pictured with North High
orchestra teacher Dr. Esther Noh (Photo courtesy of the Great Neck Public Schools)
Two seniors at Great Neck North High School have been honored through the 2025 Long Island Scholar Artist Awards program, sponsored by the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA).
Su Qi Tian is a Merit Award recipient for Music, and Katherine Zhao is a Merit Award winner for Visual Arts.
Each year, the Long Island Arts Alliance honors a select group of exceptionally accomplished high school seniors for their outstanding achievements across five disciplines: Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Dance and Media Arts.
Long Island Scholar Artist Merit Award recipient Katherine Zhao is pictured with North High lead art teacher Joseph Giacalone (Photo courtesy of the Great Neck Public Schools)
Selections are made from a pool of students nominated by Long Island’s public school districts and independent and parochial schools.
From these nominees, the Scholar-Artist selection committees choose twenty Award of Distinction recipients and twenty Award of Merit recipients. All honorees are recognized at a year-end LIAA recognition event.
The LIAA Scholar Artist program is endorsed by the New York State School Music Association, the New York State Art Teachers Association, the Nassau and Suffolk chapters of the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education and the Nassau and Suffolk Art Supervisors Associations.
Adrienne Hoshino and Lisa Malfi presenting at the 2024 Long Island Technology & Education Summit (Photo courtesy of the Great Neck Public Schools)
Three elementary technology teachers from the Great Neck Public Schools presented innovative STEM programs at the 2024 Long Island Technology & Education Summit (LITES), held on Oct. 18.
Great Neck’s presenters included Laura Goldstein, technology teacher and staff developer at John F. Kennedy School, who shared her use of LEGO to teach computational thinking and coding skills; and Adrienne Hoshino and Lisa Malfi, technology teachers and staff developers at E.M. Baker School, who presented together on their 3D printing projects that teach the engineering-design process while also connecting Baker students to the GNPS community.
Laura Goldstein presenting at the summit (Photo courtesy of the Great Neck Public Schools)
LITES is the premiere event for educators on Long Island to share new ideas, innovations and trends. This annual conference is co-sponsored by Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Nassau BOCES, and Western Suffolk BOCES together with the New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE).
Both Great Neck high schools were awarded recognition in the AP School Honor Roll (Photo courtesy of the Great Neck Public Schools)
The College Board has named North High School and South High School to the 2024 Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, which recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access.
North High received the Gold distinction and South High received the Platinum distinction.
Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
North High School earned Gold distinction in recognition of 77% of the Class of 2024 taking at least one AP exam during high school, 64% of seniors earning college credit by scoring a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam and 24% of seniors taking five or more AP exams across their high school years.
South High earned Platinum distinction in recognition of 85% of the Class of 2024 taking at least one AP class during high school, 79% of seniors earning college credit by scoring a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam and 40% of seniors taking five or more AP exams.
North High and South High offer AP courses in a wide range of subject areas, including art, economics, history and government, languages, math, psychology, sciences and more.
Each school offers at least two dozen AP courses every year.
Harborside raly to overturn the state health department's decision to deny the sale, making residents fearful of evictions (Photo by Cameryn Oakes)
Nearly 200 residents of Port Washington’s Harborside, a retirement community that has been plagued by bankruptcy issues for years, now potentially face eviction after the state Health Department struck down the sale of the community.
“It’s not just a building, a piece of real estate,” resident Rhoda Finer said. “It’s a community – a stimulating place buzzing with activity. A meeting place with my friends, my extended family, my home.”
Harborside residents, their family members, employees and elected officials gathered Thursday morning to rally for the sale to be honored to protect its 181 residents from having to leave their home and community.
Attendees, most of whom were residents, chanted “save our home” and held up signs demanding action by the governor to help them.
Multiple residents expressed fear of potential eviction, especially couples who reside in separate facilities at the Harborside due to their medical needs.
Bob Curtis and his wife of 59 years, Sandra Curtis, moved to the Harborside three years ago when his wife began experiencing cognitive impairment. They live in separate facilities with his wife housed in the memory unit.
He praised the services and care provided by Harborside and its staff, including the ability to see his wife every day and the enjoyment and support the two both have there.
“I do not think I can replace what I have here,” Bob Curtis said. “I say that because I have friends with spouses in other communities, and I hear their complaints about the level of care all the time. I do not complain.”
He attributed the high level of care in Harborside’s memory unit to the years the staff has spent together and their love for their residents.
He said the risk of eviction also comes with the threat of a diminished level of care for his wife and greater costs.
Multiple elected officials spoke in support of helping the retirement community. This included Rep. Tom Suozzi, state Assembly Member Gina Sillitti and state Sen. Jack Martin’s chief of staff who spoke on behalf of him.
“This place is more than just a retirement community,” Sillitti said. “It is truly a home.”
Suozzi praised the community rally, saying that “quiet diplomacy” has not worked, which therefore calls for speaking out about the issue.
He called for the governor to appoint someone to resolve this issue.
The Harborside, which provides for seniors’ varying care needs, including independent and assisted living, memory care, nursing care, hospice, and rehabilitation, filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2023, the third time in nine years.
The sale of the financially unstable community was awarded to Life Care Services, otherwise known as LCS, in late December after the Des Moines-based company won an auction for the 329-unit development earlier in the year.
Residents of the retirement home hold up signs reading “Please help us” (Photo by Cameryn Oakes)
The deal was then revoked by LCS in August, according to Newsday, due to prolonged waiting for approvals by the state Health Department and Department of Financial Services. The Department of Health denied the application earlier this month due to a lack of information, according to Newsday.
A Change.org petition was started on Oct. 19 to challenge the state’s decision to block the sale, and garnered nearly 2,000 signatures within five days. It was started by Ronnie Cardno whose 87-year-old grandmother resides at the retirement home.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a Q&A earlier this week that she is working to ensure that the residents have housing and will not face eviction. But she said this cannot come as a compromise to illegal conduct.
“My concern is, No. 1, the safety and well-being of the residents,” Hochul said. “They don’t deserve to be played as pawns in this negotiation, which has led us to conclude that there are safety and health considerations that cannot be overlooked. We cannot overlook state law – which says that in order for there to be a transfer there have to be certain conditions met.”
Hochul said coming to an agreement with the buyer is not a possibility as it would compromise state laws that she said are in place for the safety of the residents. She said there are other “prospective partners.”
Constance Miceli, a resident and member of the Unsecured Creditors Committee involved in the sale, said that Hochul is “totally misinformed” by the Department of Health. She claimed that deficiencies cited by the Health Department are either false, irrelevant or solvable and expressed faith in LCS’s transparency.
“If they really wanted to save us, they would have continued to negotiate instead of dropping us like a hot potato,” Miceli said.
Miceli said letters from Hochul’s aide have offered the residents help with finding them a new place to live. She said she and other residents don’t want this.
“No, we would like to stay here until the end of our lives,” Miceli said.
