Letter: A Lesson In Teacher-Student Relations

My name is Patricia Block. I teach sixth and seventh grade students at Salk Middle School in Levittown. I’d like to share a lesson I did with my colleague, Mrs. Clingen, that stood out to me as brilliant demonstration of teachers working closely with students to help them succeed in the classroom. I think it is important to share some insight into one class through one experiment that takes part within a full day of learning so many different things.

This lesson was an experiment entitled, “M&Ms Melt in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hand and Here’s Why....”.

Editorial: Jack O’Lantern Tour Thrills Long Island Again

This weekend, I chaperoned a Girl Scout Troop to see Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns tour at Old Westbury Gardens where more than 5,000 carved pumpkins returned to Long Island for its annual display; the carving talents are unreal. The girls were most impressed with the commercial character carvings such as Angry Birds and the Disney princesses. The fathers who chaperoned were attracted to the sports team carvings, although everyone was in amazement at the “tribute” pumpkins, carved to honor the greats like Neil Armstrong, Lewis Carroll, Albert Einstein, and Whitney Houston. Others adored the scenic carvings like Coney Island, Statue of Liberty, the Montauk Lighthouse, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Letter: Farm Bureau Thanks McDonough

I am pleased to announce that New York Farm Bureau has recently named Assemblyman David McDonough to our annual “Circle of Friends” list. This legislative award is granted based upon his record of legislative support for New York agriculture and the Farm Bureau. New York Farm Bureau is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse elected officials or political candidates.

Assemblyman McDonough joins a number of other legislators in the Senate and Assembly that have a superior voting record on issues and have shown strong support for New York farming during the 2012 state legislative session. Each member of the Farm Bureau “Circle of Friends” has demonstrated an understanding of the important issues impacting farmers and the considerable impact the industry has on our economy and quality of life.

Letter: Heroin Prevention Task Force

(Police Chief Charles Gennario of the Rockville Centre Police Department, is a member of the Nassau County Heroin Prevention Task Force and submitted this letter on behalf of the Task Force.)

Prescription drug abuse in the nation is at an unparalleled height and it’s having a detrimental impact on our society.  Nassau County is no different than the rest of the country and we are seeing ever-increasing abuse in our communities.  It is affecting people of all ages, but is having the greatest impact on our youth.

From the desk of Dr. James Grossane: October 4, 2012

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome you back to the 2012-2013 school year. The district’s administrators, teachers and staff worked hard to ensure a smooth opening for our students, who arrived at their respective campuses ready to learn and grow.

During my first year as superintendent, our district realized many notable achievements by both our students and staff. Both U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek placed Division Avenue and MacArthur high schools on their lists of the top-ranked high schools in the nation. Most recently, Summit Lane Elementary School was identified as one of 250 New York State Reward Schools for its high performance. This honor places Summit Lane in the running for federal grant monies in accordance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. These honors are indeed a testament to the supportive families and committed educators who assist students in reaching their goals each day. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Board of Education who have continually provided our students with opportunities for educational growth and success.

From the desk of Dr. Charles Murphy: October 4, 2012

New York State has adopted a new curriculum K-12 – The Common Core.  The Common Core is a nationwide effort to introduce new rigorous content and knowledge-based problem-solving standards into all subject areas. The Common Core initiative is intended to produce students who are prepared to compete with students from high performing international educational systems. In fact, 45 states have signed on and are modifying their curriculum to meet these new lofty expectations.

Earlier this summer, the New York State Education Department (SED) finally provided a few sample questions for the upcoming “Common Core” assessments, grades 3-8, planned to rollout in April.

Letter: Leave Levittown Alone

Levittown is under attack.

Highly organized, well-funded groups, such as the Rauch Foundation, International Coalition for Local and Environmental Initiative (ICLEI), and Long Island Vision are trying to destroy our zoning laws.

Letter: Decision On October 3 Could Change Levittown Forever

Josato Builders is scheduled to appear before Kate Murray, Gary Hudes, and the entire Hempstead Town Board, to request a special zoning change of the land in between Orchid and Blacksmith Roads in Levittown. The change is necessary to build a private multi-dwelling attached condo complex of approximately 50 units and parking for 117. The current zoning of the land allows only single-family houses.

If the town board allows the land to be changed from the current zoning, the builder will be allowed to build multi-family attached condos. What would stop Josato or another builder from buying several Levitt houses on any other block, knocking them down, and appearing before the town board requesting the same zoning change?

Letter: Hearing About Crocus Estates

We the people of Levittown oppose the changes that will come when Josato builds “Crocus Estates” located west of Crocus Lane, north of Orchid Road, and south of Blacksmith Road. Levittown was planned and developed as a whole community by Mr. Levitt. Crocus Estates will change the physical character of the residential area and reduce open space.

We object to the increase of traffic to the area, as Orchard Road has heavy traffic already. Parking is also a big concern, as they will not have enough parking spaces they will need extra parking on our streets.

Letter: Proposal To Build Apartments In Levittown—Town Hearing to Partially Nullify Levittown Zoning Code

I am writing on behalf of my parents, Daphne and Vladimir Rus, in connection with a matter involving the Levittown Property Owners’ Association (LPOA). The matter is urgent, because there will be a hearing before the Board of the Town of Hempstead on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 10:30 a.m. at One Washington Street.   

The situation is as follows:  

A developer, Josato, Inc., proposes to develop a strip of land along Crocus Lane in Levittown. Josato is the successor in interest to Terra Homes, which had previously attempted (unsuccessfully) to obtain variances to develop the same property.