Friday, February 21, 2020
Vol. 80, No. 8
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A NEW AUDITORIUM
Levittown teacher pens children’s book in memory of colleague BY GARY SIMEONE
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonie McDonald (right), surrounded by the Levittown board of education and central administrators, cut the ribbon to officially open MacArthur High School’s newly renovated auditorium. See page 10
Plainview - Old Bethpage school board to hold special election
The Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Board of Education announced today that it will hold a special election on Monday, April 6, to fill an open trustee position on the Board following the resignation of Vice President Jodi Keller. “The Board of Education is grateful to Ms. Keller for her many years of dedication and leadership to the Plain-
view-Old Bethpage school community,” said Debbie Bernstein, president of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Board of Education. “Over the years, Jodi has played a significant role in making the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District one of the premier school districts on Long Island. We wish her well and look forward to welcoming a new member to the
Board of Education to help build upon our recent successes fostering student achievement today and in the future.” Voting on April 6 will take place at Jamaica Avenue School and the Administrative Offices in Mattlin Middle School. The polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. “It has been an honor serving on the Plainview-Old BethSee page 18
When Division Avenue High School teacher Dave Goldman was rocking his three-year-old son to bed one night, he tried to think of a bedtime tale that would help put him to sleep. He thought of his good friend and colleague Mike Verdi, who unexpectedly passed away last year, and came up with the idea for the Great Blue Dragon. “I told him the story of this mighty dragon whose job it is to teach other dragons how to fly shoot flames roar and do all the things that dragons do,” said Goldman. “He does all of these things and then at the end of the story he has to leave.” Goldman said that his late friend Mike was the fictional dragon in the book because he reminded him of all of the attributes that he possessed when he was alive. “Mike was an English teacher at the school and he was truly the center of the building. Everybody at the school loved him and he did so much for the school community. He was an emcee at the spirit events, coached two varsity sports, coordinated the SAT exams and served as a faculty advisor for over ten student clubs. He was truly like the Blue Dragon’s mascot.” Verdi died last September at
the age of 45, leaving behind a wife and three children. His death came as a total shock to the school and the community. “His death really had a tremendous impact on the school and the community as a whole,” said Goldman. “I know he had developed an infection and was under medical care, but the suddenness of it all was really very tragic for everyone.” After Goldman told his son the story, he posted his idea on Facebook and said that it really resonated with people. See page 18
Division Avenue High School teacher, Dave Goldman
Kramer Lane travels back in time PAGE 8 Summit Lane holds STEM party PAGE 6