Jericho High School Senior Named Intel Finalist

One of only 40 nationwide

Neil Mehta, a senior at Jericho High School was named a finalist in the 2012 Intel Science Talent Search, which represents the nation’s most promising high school seniors with the greatest potential to solve pressing challenges in the world. Mehta is one of only 40 students nationwide to be named a finalist.

Mehta’s project, entitled “Co-restoration of Type III Nrg1 back signaling through depolarization: Implications for schizophrenia,” analyzed a mutation of the protein Type III Nrg1 statistically linked to schizophrenia, and how a novel tool in neurology called optogenetics, which uses light to depolarize cells, can be used to restore the defects present, ultimately implying a novel path for schizophrenia therapy.

“The idea for my project came from my Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2011 project, where I was actually partners with Savina Kim, another Intel Finalist this year from Commack,” said Mehta. “We looked at Type III Nrg1 effect on neuronal receptors. After reading, we both formed our own questions and interests, and conducted separate projects this past summer.”

Joshua Lafazan Running for Syosset School Board

Senior class president calls for major change in district function

This statement was submitted by the candidate:

“I am Josh Lafazan and I am running for the Syosset School Board of Education in the election on May 15th, 2012.  I am the current senior class president at Syosset High School, and I am the founder and CEO of Safe Ride Syosset, a community outreach program helping to keep Syosset students safe from alcohol and drug related driving dangers.  I will be attending Nassau Community College in the fall of 2012 and with the voting support of the Syosset citizenry, I intend to effect positive change from within the system.

“Please Google Joshua Lafazan or Safe Ride Syosset to learn about my commitment to making a difference in our community.  Many students have joined me in the fight to help keep our students and roads safe, but without leadership and direction there is no change.

“I intend to fill that void in our school district and be a fresh voice for the 21st century!

Local Officials Debate New York State Tax Cap Issues

NYCOM, NCVOA, Comptroller’s Office convene to discuss
2 percent tax cap and how it affects local municipalities

The year 2012 is still in its infancy, but an issue that dates back years in New York State and other states, is dominating its first steps into the New Year. Local municipalities and school districts will work to get under the inaugural 2 percent property tax cap that was enacted by Governor Andrew Cuomo in June.

La Marmite in Williston Park went from a fine dining restaurant to debating ground on Jan. 10. The Nassau County Village Officials Association (NCVOA), New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) and the State Comptroller’s Office hammered out the issues and implications on the property tax cap and its affect on municipalities.

The tax cap limits the increase in property taxes each year for school districts and local governments to 2 percent, or the rate of inflation. New York City is exempt from the tax cap.

Mangano Unveils ‘Nassau Now’ Mobile, Web Application

On Thursday, Jan. 12, County Executive Edward Mangano announced the ‘soft launch’ of “Nassau Now,” the County’s newest mobile and web application for residents to use an iPhone, iPod, iPad, or Android smartphone or tablet to contact Nassau County directly. The government app features requests, events, information, news alerts, traffic advisories, and forms.

The system is up and operational; it is being monitored by system administrators to collect data about how the service is being used and tally the volume of inquiries being submitted through the new application. Mangano expects that there could be some ‘bugs’ to work out of the system within the initial 60 days, but is confident that this will streamline the process and eliminate a lot of liabilities resulting from nonemergency reports, such as a request for pothole repair. The county will assess the service in a couple of months and identify any issues with the software that need to be corrected.

Seven Jericho Students Named INTEL Semifinalists

Represents LI’s largest number of semifinalists

Anuja Shah, Christine Kim, April Pun, Jill Dolowich, Sagar Rambhia, Anirudh Chandrashekar and Neil Mehta, all seniors at Jericho High School, were recently named seven of the 300 semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search 2012, a program of Society for Science & the Public. Jericho’s seven students represent the largest number of students from any school on Long Island this year.

The semifinalists of the Intel Science Talent Search were chosen from over 1,800 entrants nationwide. Each of the semifinalists, as well as their schools, receives $1,000 for this honor.

Able Newspaper for the Disabled Celebrates 20 Years

Written for, by and about people with disabilities

Twenty years ago, Able Newspaper’s publisher Angela Miele Melledy wondered if there would be enough content about people with disabilities to fill a monthly newspaper. Today, she wonders how she will fit it all. Two hundred and forty issues later, Able Newspaper, based in Old Bethpage, is written for, by and about people with disabilities, is being called “my bible” by people with disabilities.”

Able Newspaper enables people with disabilities to read about people facing the same issues they are and see the possibilities that are out there. It features all the news that pertains to people with disabilities, including a calendar of events, columns written by various experts and a variety of informative articles and is printed in a larger type format for those with visual impairments.

Grishman Selected as NYS School Superintendent of the Year

Jericho’s superintendent selected by statewide superintendents council

The New York State Council of School Superintendents has announced that Superintendent Hank Grishman of the Jericho Union Free School District has been named the 2012 New York State School Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Marilyn C. Terranova, President of The Council and Superintendent of Eastchester Schools, said, “Hank’s selection recognizes his career of successful school district leadership serving diverse communities across our state, as well as his support for colleagues through wide-ranging contributions to the council’s work.”

Nassau’s Newest Legislators Sworn In

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton representing the 18th Legislative District

On Monday, Jan. 2, a ceremony was held at the Nassau County Legislative Chamber for the inauguration of representatives of the 9th Nassau County Legislature. The hour long event welcomed the addition of two new Legislators:  Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D- Glen Cove) and Carrie Solages (D-Elmont).

DeRiggi-Whitton, who will represent the 18th District, which encompasses Glen Cove, Sea Cliff, Bayville, Locust Valley, Brookville, Glen Head, Greenvale and Jericho, defeated Republican challenger, Robert Germino Jr., by a 29-vote margin. DeRiggi-Whitton, a former member of the Glen Cove City Council, will replace Legislator Diane Yatauro who did not run for re-election.

Local Businessman Gives LuHi Sports Memorabilia for the Holidays

In the spirit of giving this Christmas season, Long Island Lutheran Middle and High School was pleased to be the recipient of sports memorabilia from local businessman Jack Britvan of Commercial Realty Services of Long Island, Inc., located in Woodbury. These items will be auctioned off to raise funds for the school’s second annual Haiti Meal Packing Event.

This is the second year Long Island Lutheran High School is organizing/hosting this event on their Brookville campus. The event is open to all churches, religious denominations, youth groups, community organizations, schools business, scouting or other groups, family or persons who want to participate. The goal is to pack 200,000 food packets, enough to feed 500 Haitian children every day for a year. In addition, ten percent of the food packets will go to local food pantries on Long Island. Past participants were excited to pack 300,672 meals in 2011, and the school is grateful for Britvan’s donation to help them raise funds for packing supplies for the 2012 event.

Seven Jericho Students Named All-State Musicians

Seven Jericho musicians recently traveled to Rochester for the New York State School Music Association’s Winter Conference. Each year, New York’s finest musicians perform in concerts at the Eastman Theater.

This year, Austin Boral and Deeba Khorrami (chorus), Jae Han Jeong (orchestra), Sarah Barsky and Sonia Joshi (symphonic band) and Michelle Rosenthal and Jordan Shenker (wind ensemble) represented Jericho. Diane Costello accompanied the students to Rochester.