News From The Manhasset School District

BOE Reviews District’s Special Ed Program

At a public meeting of the Manhasset Board of Education on Feb. 7, Allison Rushforth, executive director of district special education programs and services, Jodi Shapiro, assistant director of CPSE (preschool) and elementary special education, and Stewart Grabelsky, assistant director of secondary special education, presented a comprehensive analysis of the district’s special education programs and services. The presentation provided an historical perspective, a thorough summary of the programs and services being provided during 2012-2013, and the anticipated needs for the 2013-2014 school year.

Letter: Commitment, Involvement And Experience Count

The upcoming March 19 election in the Village of Munsey Park is a contested one. Three residents are vying for the Mayor’s seat and two trustee positions. 

Mayor Nicolaides has led our village for the past 19 years. He has brought us through many difficult moments, and most recently Hurricane Sandy and the nor’easter that followed.  His calls and emails to residents were constant throughout that time and he was in close contact with the PWMOEM, the local emergency management group, and North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman. No one could have done more to keep us in touch with reality  - rather than just passing along the LIPA misinformation. During our most recent snow storm our crew worked 30 hours straight and our roads were clear by morning.

Letter: Support Munsey Park Candidates For Reelection

I write today to ask you to join me on Tuesday, March 19 in supporting for re-election the in supporting the Village Party candidates, Mayor Harry Nicolaides, Deputy Mayor Al Jaronczyk, and Trustee Sheila Brennan. The election will be held at  who are up for reelection and to mark your calendar to vote on Tuesday, March 19th at Village Hall between 12 and 9 p.m.

I am As a 12-year resident of Munsey Park and have worked with the village and having worked with the village for many years--, first as a volunteer on traffic and safety matters, later as a liaison to other municipal government groups, and most recently as a trustee. I can say with firsthand experience how capable our current Board of Trustees is. Harry, Al, and Sheila  and how the board leads our village with a quiet and deep competence, which will be invaluable as the village meets the challenges of the upcomingnext four years.

A Look On The Light Side: February 22, 2013

Once upon a time, there was a cobbler whose child ran around town without any shoes.

“Look at her,” one villager whispered to another. “Barefoot again! Is he such a workaholic he can’t make his own daughter one pair of shoes?”

“Maybe he’s lazy,” continued a third. “Or greedy, and wants to keep all the merchandise for himself.”

Letters: Nemo And Geezers

Late evening February 8, through early morning of February 9, on the heels of Sandy, another giant weather pattern was pushing a blizzard our way. Hello Nemo. Three feet of snow churning east to west at speeds from 40 to 60 mph and we were in its path. Roughly the same pattern as Sandy but not as ferocious.

A few flurries on Friday were the overture. The curtain went up a bit after sundown at King Kullen and Whole Foods. A heavy snow opened the gates about 8 p.m. Our nightlight was on in the wee hours so we’d know whether or not the power was still there. No trees down, but steady blasts of heavy snow were charging from the east.

Letter: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

On Friday night, during the storm, my car was stuck on a hill on Dogwood and Manhasset Woods Road. It was snowing, getting progressively worse and I was about to create a major traffic problem. Four or five high school students appeared and proceeded to shovel the snow and push my car over a hill. It took all of them at least 20 minutes of hard work to get me free and on my way. I told them I would walk back and pay them for their efforts. When I got back they were gone.

It is a testament to these fine young men that they acted, not for financial gain, but out of a sense of kindness. It is because of these small acts that I enjoy living in Manhasset. The parents and teachers of these gentlemen have done a magnificent job in raising them. I am truly appreciative and I will not forget their efforts.

Robert Carrozzo

Editorial: Wow

What a spectacular turnout Sunday at Manhasset Valley Park for the Annual Old Timers Day. What a joyous, amazing gathering. What a slice of history it is.

Picture 50 inhabitants of Spinney Hill, and African-Americans in surrounding communities, deciding to have a picnic in 1969.  Linked closely together as they were—a much smaller community surrounded by a more privileged, larger one—their picnic was both the celebration of family and acknowledgment of the strong bond that existed within their extended community.

Letter: Funds From Red Light Cameras Supposed To Fund Health And Human Service Programs

On June 4 the Manhasset/Great Neck EOC received a letter from County Executive Edward Mangano informing us that, as the result of “certain actions” taken by the Democratic Legislators, our youth program contract with the county might be terminated. On June 6 we received a letter from Margaret Malito, executive director of the County’s Office of Youth Services, informing us that “Nassau County hereby elects to exercise its right… to terminate said contract effective July 6, 2012.” On June 12 we received a letter from the Minority Caucus of the County Legislature (the Democratic members) detailing, from their perspective, everything the Republicans have done that have brought us, once again, to the point of losing our county contract to provide services to at-risk youth in Manhasset and Great Neck.

Letter: Parking Lot In Manhasset Country Club In Roslyn

On May 29, we, the residents of Manhasset whose properties abut the old Village Bath Club site were indeed stunned by the Town of North Hempstead’s decision to convert this greenspace, which reaches so deeply into our neighborhood and into our very lives, into a parking lot for the Apple store.

The overwhelming majority of a standing-room only group of residents spoke passionately and convincingly against this project, and asked the town board to vote “no.” Amazingly, the board voted 5 to 1 against us (one member was absent and one voted with us). Five votes were all it took to destroy a neighborhood.

Editorial: July 4th

What a grand holiday July 4th is, so patriotic, so casual and so programmed; barbecues are obligatory so there’s very little discussion or confusion as to how to celebrate.

Manhasset has never looked better, lawns are green and provide a lush background for the dazzling impact of banks of flowers blooming everywhere.