Jericho BOE Celebrates School Board Recognition Week

Board Discusses Opposition to

Nassau County Tax Shift, Class Sizes

On Thursday, Oct.14, despite gusty winds and torrential rain, the Jericho Board of Education meeting drew a large number of parents, students, and teachers alike. 

In recognition of School Board Recognition Week (October 25-29), Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs personally thanked the board for all their hard work throughout the year. She expressed pride in representing such an outstanding district and assured the board, “None of us takes for granted what the district does for our children. My hat goes off to you. You make it all work. Thank you on behalf of the county legislature.” 

Jericho High School Holds Homecoming

“It was great to see how successful our idea was and how many kindergarteners came to Homecoming and showed up smiling at our booth,” said Jericho High School’s Student Council President Zach Leighton. The idea was to give Jericho kindergartners a free Jayhawks souvenir. “Our goal is to foster a sense of community pride and unity among our district’s youngest students,” Leighton continued.

Syosset Man to Run NYC Marathon to Raise $25,000 for Lustgarten Foundation

After Friend’s Mother’s Death, Jeff Blick Runs to Raise Funds, Awareness for Pancreatic Cancer

Jeff Blick of Syosset is not planning on beating his time from the 1996 New York City Marathon of 3 hours and 52 minutes when he runs the race again this November. In fact, his time isn’t terribly important, since he’s primarily running to raise $25,000 dollars for pancreatic cancer research- although a time somewhere between four and four and a half hours would be nice, he said.

Jericho Fire Department Holds Open House

On Oct. 3, the Jericho Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Fire Prevention Open House. Hundreds of residents attended and learned about fire prevention and what to do in case of an emergency. There were many demonstrations for adults and children including firefighters using the Jaws of Life in a mock auto accident, the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s arson dog, a Nassau County Police aviation unit, a bouncy ride, rides on the fire trucks, opportunities to use a fire hose and lots more. The annual event was a success and a great educational tool for the community.

Candidates Answer Resident’s Questions at LWV Forum

Incumbents and Challengers Alike Criticize High Taxes, Albany Dysfunction

At the Monday, Oct. 4 “Know Before You Vote” Forum, hosted and moderated by the League of Women Voters, incumbents Carl Marcellino (R-5th SD), Kemp Hannon (R-6th SD), Joseph Saladino (R-12th AD) and Charles Lavine (D-13th AD) had a difficult game to play: blame Albany for high taxes and dysfunctional governance, yet portray their continued presence there as an asset to the Long Island taxpayer. Incumbent Michael Montesano (R-15th AD), only in office since February, had the benefit of being able to present himself as both newcomer and experienced politician. Meanwhile, challengers Larry Silverman (D), Francesca Carlow (D), Leon Hart (D) and Robert Germino (R) could attack the alleged failings of the state government with few reservations.

Paul Gordon, Beloved Syosset High School Teacher, Remembered

There are teachers who make a difference, teachers who change dozens of lives, and teachers who are simply a force of nature. And then, there was Paul Gordon, a retired teacher who taught physics at Syosset High School for 18 years, and to all appearances, never slowed down for a moment.

“Paul was really a glorious person,” said his wife, Fran Gordon. While Fran may not be the most impartial judge, the countless colleagues, former students, friends and neighbors who have stepped forward to remember Gordon since his death in a car accident on Tuesday, Sept. 14, demonstrate how one person can touch an entire community.

Town of Oyster Bay Holds Opening Ceremonies for New Turf Field

TOB, BCA and JAA Officials Come Out to

Celebrate New Athletic Field on Robbins Lane

During a beautiful morning on Saturday, Sept. 25, opening ceremonies were held for the new turf field, recently constructed at 300 Robbins Lane. While the field is technically located in Syosset, it is a field intended primarily for the use of the children of Jericho- a fact made obvious by the scores of children in blue and yellow athletic gear, the Jericho High School Marching Band, and the Jericho Jayhawk, the community’s favorite fuzzy blue mascot.

Joel Sweetbaum of the Jericho Athletic Association (JAA) was the first to speak during the day’s festivities. Sweetbaum extended his gratitude to both Supervisor John Venditto and his predecessor in the JAA, Jack Schnitt. “And now, the Jericho community has their very own sports facility for children of all ages,” said Sweetbaum.

Syosset Board of Education Welcomes Students and Families Back to School

Board Congratulates Nine National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

The Sept. 20 Syosset Central School District Board of Education meeting may have been brief, but there was much to be proud of as the board honored and congratulated nine Syosset High School students who were named 2010 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists: Daniel Bach, Eric Collet, Daniel Kim, Katherine Kuang, Clarissa Li, Belinda Wang, Harris Weber, Catherine Ye and Sumayya Younus. The district prides itself on its high academic standards and the outstanding academic achievements of its students. Out of 1.5 million students nationwide, only 16,000 are selected as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.

Vito After Documentary Screens at Syosset Public Library

Filmmaker, Star of Documentary Answers Questions on 9/11 Anniversary

On Saturday, Sept. 11, nine years to the day after the attack on the World Trade Center, Vito After: A 9/11 Responder Copes in the Aftermath, a documentary chronicling the day-to-day challenges faced by former NYPD detective Vito Friscia in the years following the attack, was screened at Syosset Library. While it’s been close to a decade since that infamous day, the questions posed to Friscia and Syosset filmmaker Maria Pusateri after the film- as well as the strong emotion that was nearly palpable in the theater during the showing- made it clear that memories of the event are still very close to the surface for local residents.

Local Officials Attend Syosset Chamber Speaking Event

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto (second from right) and Town Councilman Chris Coschignano (far right) recently attended the Syosset Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Speaking Event, designed to give elected officials a chance to come out and speak with local business leaders, and discuss community issues that are important to them. Among those on hand for this successful event were those pictured here, including (from left to right): Brian Goldberg, Syosset Chamber of Commerce board member, Danielle Delgrosso, president of the Syosset Chamber of Commerce, and Legislator Judy Jacobs.