LOVE FROM TEACHERS
Stay Strong
BY GARY SIMEONE
In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, there have been many stories of people performing acts of kindness to help others in need. The recipients of many of these acts include people on the frontline of this epidemic such as doctors, nurses and other essential workers.
Two teachers from the Levittown school district are doing their part to help others by assembling and distributing protective equipment such as face masks and headbands.
Patty Coppola, a teaching assistant at Division Avenue High School, has been using her sewing skills to make over 200 masks for people who are in dire need of them.
“I am a seamstress and I have a lot of extra fabric on hand, so I figured why not put my skills to good use,” said Coppola, who is a Massapequa resident. “I have donated these masks to coworkers, family members, friends and healthcare facilities. It has been a great experience doing this because I’m happy to help people and I hope I’m able to protect some-
one from getting the virus.”
She said that she’s assembled masks in a range of sizes and has donated to distribution centers and even a veterinary hospital.
“I had animal related fabric that I was able to make masks and send out to a veterinary hospital and I’ve even made masks in different colors and ones for New York Yankees and Mets fans,” said Coppola.
The masks that she’s made are not the N95 respiratory or medical grade but are meant
See page 21
Businesses face challenges from Covid, stimulus programs
BY RIKKI MASSAND
Dr. Diana Callesano, an audiologist and business owner of Hearing and Tinnitus Center in Woodbury located at 113 Crossways Park Drive #101 had so much to be thankful for last week as her mother survived two weeks’ of hospitalization and treatment after falling ill with Coronavirus. To cheers from frontline healthcare workers, her mom was released from NYU-Winthrop Hospital on April 16 and will be in rehab. Dr. Callesano is caring for her and her family members while managing to keep her small business operating as best as she can during mandated closure, and while waiting for a federal loan to shine some light on dark days at her workplace.
“To be a business owner right now you really must get crafty. You have to assess your business from several angles and consider where your strengths and weaknesses are, what you think can cut costs on going forward. It seems that we’re living in a movie. We must step back and say, OK, how can we weather the storm over the next six months or one year?
Realistically people need to start thinking in this manner -- COVID19 problems and ramifications for
the economy will not be solved by May 15 or whenever governing officials choose to end stay-athome orders,” she explained.
Keeping all non-essential businesses closed until at least May 15 sets her business back and creates for makeshift operations. The H & T Center closed its doors on March 21 but Dr. Callesano continues her work, taking emergency visits from existing patients -- those who have hearing aids that may have broken or needed immediate adjustments so they can hear.
Revenues for the business are down about 70% from the first weeks of March 2020. Dr. Callesano said February was a tremendous month for the Center as many appointments and services were booked. Since St. Patrick’s Day, cancellations and hesitancy to book future appointments have prevailed.
There were discussions over whether or not the Hearing and Tinnitus Center is an essential business and service to the community as the doctor noted, “everyone should be able to hear and has a right to hear.” In some cases, a person’s hearing loss
See page 21
This is a combined issue of several of Litmor Publishing's newspapers, bringing you news and information from eastern Nassau County.
Healthcare workers show appreciation for the masks sewn by Levittown teachers.
Town of Oyster Bay delays deadline for tax payments
BY RIKKI MASSAND
Town of Oyster Bay officials announced this week that the deadline for tax payments, collected by the Town, will be extended from May 11 until likely June 11, 2020, after letters and communications to and from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office indicated that he would sign an executive order declaring the extension.
Town of Oyster Bay Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato was among the three people joining Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino in-person for the morning meeting at Town Hall on Audrey Avenue Tuesday, as all Town Board members participated via conference call during the meeting. He explained the current change in the expected tax deadline, noting that some time on April 21 itself Gov. Cuomo was expected to sign the new executive order. Since mid-March Pravato’s office has received over 3,300 phone calls from residents and business owners asking for some form of tax assistance or relief.
“A week ago we held a press conference in Mineola asking for Gov. Cuomo to extend the school tax collection period for at least another 30 days (from the original due date of May 11). After I sent two letters and Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll sent a letter, others followed up. Yesterday (April 20) the Nassau County Legislature acted to extend the tax period although they don’t have authority to establish it. This really got Governor Cuomo to notice us and actually give the tax extension although as of now details were not released on the end date of the executive order -- we are hopeful it will be at least 30 days, until Wednesday June 11. I know it is not a lot but it is
something that we can say residents and businesses will have extra time to pay their taxes, as hopefully they can get back to work soon,” Pravato said.
Announced by the Town on April 8, the online provider of ACH (eCheck) tax payment processing agreed to reduce the fee charged for online property tax payments made within the next 60 days. Taxpayers are generally charged up to $6 by the vendor for eCheck (ACH) payments. Now they will be charged 75 cents for online payments up to $100,000.
Supervisor Saladino said Pravato’s tax collections team “continue to deliver responsive constituent services and advocate for our residents in these uncertain times.” The Town is encouraging residents to pay taxes this spring through the ACH check system, which requires user registration and can found on the Receiver of Taxes’ page on the Town website, OysterBayTown. com/departments/receiver-of-taxes/ Pravato and Saladino noted that the 75 cents this is just 20 cents more than the current cost of a U.S. stamp. It would save residents from getting in their cars, driving to Town Hall to drop off payments; going to a bank to take out a bank check or going to the post office.
Supervisor Saladino added that paying online makes for another good way to practice social (physical) distancing as residents would not have to leave home to take care of tax bills. He directed residents to utilize the “Live Chat” option on the Town website, as he knows there could be questions coming in on how residents can access the ACH checks for payments online.
For anyone who needs to call, the direct phone number to the Town
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Receiver of Taxes’ office was provided during the April 21 meeting -- (516) 6246400. Residents can also send emails to receiveroftaxes@oysterbay-ny.gov
Supervisor Saladino also reminded residents that the Town government only keeps a small portion of property taxes being collected, and at the current time the taxes collected “all go towards the local school districts.”
He says the Oyster Bay Town Board prides itself on taking responsibility for continued functions of town government, “with protective actions and measures established” during the pandemic. Members of the Town workforce whose jobs require them to work in the public sphere are provided with PPE (gloves, masks, and cleaning materials). “We appreciate their heroic actions to keep government functioning as we continue to deliver essential services to residents,” he said.
On Tuesday Saladino thanked TOBAY Sanitation and Recycling workers as the town continues routine services with pick-ups of trash and recy-
LETTERS
Keep Birchwood Beautiful
To the Editor:
As I walk around East Birchwood, I notice a disturbing sight: many stretches of sidewalks don't have a single tree by the curb, while many streets have at least a half dozen or more. The sight of barren streets in front of million dollar homes is a true eyesore and embar-
cling, “when other towns are shutting down recycling or sanitation pick-ups we are doing it in the Town of Oyster Bay.”
“On behalf of myself and most importantly our residents, I want to thank every Town official, department head and every single employee. Town employees are working diligently in Town and Parks facilities to keep people at the appropriate, safe social distances -- this is not always easy but the Town of Oyster Bay has a resilient, very bright group of residents who have been paying attention and have been very responsible. We thank our residents very much but a special thank you goes to our Parks employees and our Office of Public Safety led by Commissioner Justin McCaffrey, for all they bring to the table to continue with all the functions of our Town. It is so important to keep services going, and the safety of our residents is of the utmost importance to myself and our Town Board members,” he said.
rasses the homeowners and the entire community, which in places resembles a bland, stark, recently built 55+ community in New Jersey!
Homeowners and certainly the civic association should show some effort to "Keep Birchwood Beautiful" for the sake of current residents and potential home buyers!
George Haber
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Syosset Public Library's virtual doors are wide open
Has cabin fever got you? The Syosset Library has the antidote: plenty of live, interactive classes and lectures for people of all ages, along with fun social media postings, COVID-19 information, and many online resources for researchers, readers, and film-lovers.
For this Lego Challenge, the library posted the challenge (to build a car) on Instagram. Participants responded at home and emailed photos of their project to the Children’s Department.
Although some offerings may be limited to Syosset Library cardholders, many are available to everyone. And if you don’t have a Syosset Library card and are a resident of the Syosset School District, you can apply for a digital card online.
For adults, there are book discussions, author visits, cooking lessons, and more. Watch a video about how to bake Irish soda bread muffins. Then download the recipe and try it at home. Or join a live presentation by an award-winning author or a stimulating book discussion led by a Readers’ Services Librarian.
Children can participate in live music and movement classes or join a storytime. Teens have attended test prep and essay-writing classes and gathered online to decide on projects that will earn community service hours. Already they have made thank you cards for healthcare workers and signs with encouraging messages to hang in windows.
Even before the building closed in mid-March, staff had begun to find new methods for offering live, original, online programming and for moving existing programs online. As a result, as soon as the building closed, the virtual doorway opened even wider. Within the first week dozens of classes had
migrated from library meeting rooms to virtual online rooms, and social media platforms were populated with book review videos and positive messages from staff, who are sharing their pet photos, book reviews, technology expertise, and hobbies.
“These new, intensified online options have seen a remarkable rate of participation, and social media traffic has also increased dramatically,” Library Director Christine Belling said. “There has also been an increase in the use of traditional online resources.” For example, patrons can stream concerts, movies, and television programs, download eBooks and audiobooks, and take online craft classes. There are also resources for academic and resume help, looking up financial information, searching for a job, brushing up on professional skills (Lynda.com), and more.
In addition, the library parking lot was the site of a medical supply donation drive organized by Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan and the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, and two 3D printers have joined a bi-county library effort to print face shield replacement parts that have been donated to Long Island hospitals.
“We’ve learned many new methods for delivering online programs and intend to keep using them going
Children’s Department Librarian Amy Amy Badagliacca presents a live, interactive, online storytime.
forward,” Ms. Belling said. Meanwhile, visit www.syossetlibrary.org for details. And, if you need assistance, chat with a librarian who will be happy to help. Just click on the chat bar located on the library home page weekdays between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., or send an email message to spladministration@ syossetlibrary.org.
6 Ways The $2 Trillion Stimulus Package May Help You
In response to the severe economic fallout stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, a record $2 trillion fiscal stimulus package was enacted at the end of March. The wideranging CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act is designed to help ease the financial hardships many Americans are facing. You may be wondering what, if any, economic relief is available to you. Here are some possible ways you may qualify for support.
#1 – Direct payments to many Americans
The CARES Act includes a provision to send most Americans direct payments of $1,200, or $2,400 for joint filers, plus $500 for each child. The amount of the payments will be reduced for those with higher incomes. For individuals filing taxes as singles, the reduced amount begins at an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 per year and is completely phased out at $99,000. For joint filers, the reduced amount begins at $150,000 and payment is eliminated at $198,000. Your AGI will be determined by your 2019 tax filing (or 2018, if 2019 is unavailable). These payments will primarily come via direct deposit within weeks, but when you actually receive the rebate may vary depending on your circumstances.
#2 – Enhanced unemployment compensation
For those collecting unemployment benefits, the federal government will bump up your weekly benefit by $600 for up to four months. Laid off workers who file for unemployment would usually need to wait a week to receive benefits. However, the act now allows for that week to be funded by the federal government. Benefits are also extended to selfemployed individuals who often don’t qualify for coverage.
#3 – Penalty-free distributions from retirement accounts
If today’s circumstances require you to tap your workplace retirement plan or IRA to meet current financial needs, you may have more flexibility to do so. Affected, eligible participants in workplace retirement plans and IRA owners can take an aggregate distribution in 2020 of up to $100,000 from all retirement accounts without incurring the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty. The affected participant or IRA owner (including a
Advisor, Chief Executive Officer
spouse or dependent) would need to either be diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing adverse financial consequences that meet a broad-set of COVID-19-related criteria. Income taxes will still apply to the distribution but can be spread out over three years. You also have the option to refund your retirement accounts any or all of the distribution within three years of the initial withdrawal and adjust your tax liability accordingly.
#4 – No required minimum distributions in 2020
Those who are required to take minimum distributions (RMDs), can ignore RMD rules this year. RMDs for 2020 are suspended for certain defined contribution plans and IRAs to help retirement accounts try to recover from stock market losses. Check with your tax advisor about other options you may have related to RMDs.
#5 – Tax-deductible charitable contributions
As a result of the 2017 tax reform, the vast majority of taxpayers lost their ability to choose itemized deductions due to a dramatic increase in standardized deductions. That eliminated the ability for many to write off charitable contributions on their taxes. The new CARES Act allows for a $300 above-the-line deduction for charitable contributions made to 501(c)(3) organizations for taxpayers who take the standard deduction or those who itemize. The deduction applies to cash contributions. The changes go into effect beginning in the 2020 tax year. The tax savings may be modest, but it helps.
#6 – A break for those with student loans
All federal student loan payments are deferred until September 30, 2020. However, you need to contact your loan provider and inform them that you plan to pause payments as allowed under the CARES Act. There are additional benefits for borrowers and grant recipients as well, so check with your loan provider or school administration for more information.
This is a time when you want to be sure to balance decisions that address your shortterm financial obstacles with your long-term financial plan. Touch base with your financial advisor to discuss your situation and best strategies to cope with this challenging time.
Levittown teachers keep conservation alive for students
The global pandemic did not stop Jonas E. Salk Middle School’s Spanish Club advisers Kirsten Anderson and Veronica Miller from following through on their students wishes. Prior to the closure of schools, members Jonas E. Salk Middle School’s Spanish Club in the Levittown Public Schools planned to raise money to adopt a turtle. After doing some research, the students narrowed down where they wanted to send donations and adopt to three organizations, including the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida. The students planned to raise money for all three by making and selling turtle charm bracelets and other turtle-themed items during school.
Due to the quarantine, there was no opportunity for the club to raise the funds but Anderson and Miller wanted to show the students that they could still make a difference. Together, the teachers donated $60 so that the school could have their own turtle to follow on
his journey to recovery. Anderson followed the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on social media and noticed that they were offering personalized videos with an animal of your choosing for adoption. With their donation, Jonas E. Salk Middle School adopted a threeyear-old loggerhead sea turtle named Snorkel and received a video from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium featuring the animal. The conservation center rescues injured and sick sea turtles, nurses them back to health and releases them back into their habitat.
“This aquarium does terrific work for rehabilitation of animals and education of visitors,” said Anderson. “We know we can’t fix the fact that we can’t go to school right now and we can’t follow through with our club’s plans this year. But we wanted to show our students that we could think outside the box and follow through with taking action to save sea turtles which was important to them.”
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Jonas E. Salk Middle School adopted a three-year-old loggerhead sea turtle named Snorkel from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium thanks to Spanish Club advisers Kirsten Anderson and Veronica Miller. Photo courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools
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11 Hicksville HS artists named among Long Island’s Best
Eleven Hicksville School students have been named among 100 young artists selected for this year’s Long Island’s Best: Young Artists at the Heckscher Museum high school student art competition, including one that was named Best in Show.
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Congratulations to the following students, whose exemplary artworks were chosen for the exhibit: Aqsa Ansari, William Fisher, Cailin Hoang, Viveka Jain, Katarina Kobetitsch, Stephanie Lopez, Taylor Murphy, Jessica Rotondi, Kelly Ryan, Sanamjeet Singh and Amshitha Sivarajah.
Additional kudos to Stephanie, whose work won Best in Show, and Aqsa, who received the Achievement in Oil Painting honor.
“We are so thrilled to have students that are not only talented, but obviously have so much love for what they do,” said Hicksville School District’s Supervisor of Fine Arts Chad Wyman. “The young artists are rightfully recognized, but are just the captains of a huge team of artists throughout our schools. Congratulations to them and the teachers that have fostered their artistic souls every step of the way.”
This is the 25th year of Long Island’s Best: Young Artists at the Heckscher Museum exhibition and the 100th anniversary of the Heckscher Museum of Art. Although the in-person exhibit has
Hicksville High School’s Stephanie Lopez won Best in Show in Heckscher Museum’s Long Island’s Best: Young Artists high school student art competition.
been suspended, the museum is launching a virtual gallery of these works beginning April 17.
Hicksville High School’s Aqsa Ansari received the Achievement in Oil Painting honor in Heckscher Museum’s Long Island’s Best: Young Artists high school student art competition. Photos
courtesy of the Hicksville School District
Yes, this is a tough time. No getting around that. Some of us are sick. We all know someone who has died. Some folks are truly worried about not only their health, but their finances. We are isolated from our friends, neighbors and family. Some are doing their jobs from home while also home schooling their children. And some are suiting up with face coverings and gloves to do their “essential” jobs or just to go shopping. We are all grateful. We are all affected.
Throughout our nation’s history, the resilience and spirit of Americans in times of hardship have been proven over and over again. We will come out on the other side of this. In the meantime, we are a country that has faced crisis many times, and standing strong and standing together, we survived and thrived. We will survive this crisis, but it will be much easier if we do it together, taking care of each other, lending a helping hand to our neighbors.
We are in this together!
Stay Home. Stay Safe. Stop the Spread.
from Congressman Tom Suozzi
Town golf courses, beaches & parks to reopen with distancing
BY RIKKI MASSAND
At the conclusion of the Town Board’s virtual meeting Tuesday, April 21, Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino announced that starting this Friday, April 24, the Town will open its golf courses in coordination with Nassau County and Town of Hempstead officials’ plans to open municipal courses.
“We have lots of golfers and people passionate about golf -- the Town of Oyster Bay will reopen golf courses this Friday. We will not permit any use of golf carts. There are strict rules for paying for golf in-person as we aim to protect golfers, residents and employees,” he said.
TOBAY marinas were kept open and will remain open. The Town asks residents to remember not to congregate or host groups on their boats. “Strict policies for sanitation at marinas and social distancing at docks and on water must be practiced. Boat ramps are open for residents and for emergency response purposes. The chartered watercraft services are prohibited and restaurants at marinas are closed for in-dining, some are open for takeout. These sites must be limited to just that. We need folks to continue to respect strict social distancing rules mandated by the Governor,” Saladino explained.
TOBAY parks are open however athletic courts, fields and playgrounds are not. “None of the playgrounds in the Town are open, and we ask residents not to use them or remove protective tape,” he said.
On TOBAY Beach no night fishing will be permitted, the Beach park has hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents are notified that gates will be locked at 7 p.m. but recreation and walks are allowed up to that time, with social distancing rules in place. All dog parks and dog runs are closed but at TOBAY parks dogs are permitted on a leash. Smaller Town parks including Robbins Lane park in Syosset, Field of Dreams in Massapequa and Borella Fields in Plainview are closed.
“As the weather gets warmer I ask residents to continue to limit social contact -- it is so important as we hopefully are past the plateau of the curve in COVID-19 infections. I pray to God there is only one curve and we do not get a second spike. All of that comes down to what our residents are doing. The further we stay away and the more we follow the rules, the less chance of a second spike and the better chance we get through this and put this terrible tragedy behind us,” the supervisor said on Tuesday.
“Remember that you are not only protecting yourselves but you are protecting others. We are so proud of our residents and our workforce coming together during this terribly difficult time. These may be uncharted waters but the Town has a moral compass here which will direct us through this
pandemic to protect you, your family, your community and our Oyster Bay community and family as we are one family in this town. Be safe, drive safely, follow the rules and be well -- let’s all be T.O.B. Strong,” Supervisor Saladino announced.
Town Councilman Louis Imbroto took time to thank first responders, healthcare workers, essential workers and local employees in police, fire and first aid. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everybody that is out there, day to day, dealing with this virus and getting us through this, making sure that life goes on. From all our 300,000-plus residents in the Town of Oyster Bay we thank you,” he said.
Councilman Steve Labriola praised the effort of Supervisor Saladino for providing firsthand, local information for residents as much of the information comes from the New York State level with Gov. Cuomo, local news airing New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s press conferences or daily briefings by President Trump.
“We are keeping in touch with residents directly through the Town website, OysterBayTown.com and on social media, our recorded phone calls. This is important for our Supervisor to communicate with residents on the Town’s behalf, as much as possible. and let them know what facilities are open or closed, what operations continue and what is done locally. We are in our sixth week of having to ‘PAUSE’ many
nonessential services and stay-at-home orders and I congratulate residents for their respective adaptations in order to help flatten the curve,” Labriola said.
In turn, Supervisor Saladino commended the Town Board members for their leadership despite the isolation of remaining at home during this pandemic.
“You all have been incredibly helpful and diligently working on Town matters. Each Board member brings a lot to the table with their business acumen, legal experience and governmental knowledge at many levels -- working together, albeit remotely, proves to Town of Oyster Bay residents where our hearts
are and where our heads are. Our heads are thinking about the safety of our residents and our workforce, making sure that we continue to protect and look out for our employees in every way possible. We are ensuring that we do everything legally and properly through either phone calls or Zoom meetings, with the guidance of our legal staff and Inspector General Brian J. Noone -- making sure our Councilmembers are briefed and that they participate in decision-making. It is not easy for every day, through uncharted waters, to keep every aspect of our Town government running,” Saladino said.
In a nearly empty Town Hall in Oyster Bay, Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (center) was joined by Town Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato (far left), Town Clerk Richard LaMarca (front left) and a stenographer during the April 21, 2020 Town Board meeting as all other Councilmembers participated via conference call.
Businesses, community feed healthcare workers
BY RIKKI MASSAND
During the Covid-19 pandemic frontline healthcare workers are gaining support and encouragement from special deliveries made by residents, local food establishments and restaurants and a major New Yorkbased Fortune 500 corporation.
All employees of Northwell Health’s Syosset and Plainview Hospitals are receiving fresh meals from a variety of great local restaurants, thanks to the strong support of Syosset, Woodbury, Jericho and Plainview community members and Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. What started as a grassroots effort by local business owners and residents has grown exponentially to provide four meal deliveries per day and over 14,000 meals in total delivered every week to Syosset and Plainview Hospitals.
Christine Patti, community relations manager for Northwell Plainview and Syosset Hospitals and an active participant in the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, said the hospital system is thankful for both food and beverages provided through an innovative program.
Current sponsorship from Goldman Sachs covers four meal deliveries per day to both hospitals, enough to nourish and hydrate all workers at both community medical care facilities. Goldman Sachs began the program in mid-March as a genesis of local residents’ and restaurants’ efforts to provide free meals to the hospitals’ staff.
“Before Goldman Sachs became involved, residents in the community created a Facebook page -- ‘Staff Meals for Plainview and Syosset Hospitals’ -- the group did so much fundraising, reaching up to $35,000. Residents kicked off this initiative by working with local restaurants and food stores, sending meals over to both hospitals. Prior to that, people who wanted to help just showed up at random times with food for our healthcare workers,” she said.
Goldman Sachs works directly with local restaurants to provide full financing and delivery of meals to the hospitals, organizing logistics four times per day with any vendors used. Goldman and the healthcare
system coordinate with restaurants “on who sends food, and on what date, at what time,” Patti said. Deliveries arrive at Northwell Health’s Plainview and Syosset Hospitals for breakfast, for lunch, and for the late afternoon/early evening and night shifts.
“When Goldman Sachs decided to become involved we all worked together, from Northwell Health leadership in Syosset and Plainview to the community group to ensure a smooth, successful transition. We ensured that Goldman Sachs would work with local residents in central Nassau County and along the north shore, as their support is valued by local restaurants struggling during this time. The financial support and patronage allows our community to stay strong,” Patti explained.
In terms of the meals provided, each is individually packaged and stringent food and safety standards are always prioritized. Many of the items supplied are packed well for normal takeouts such as bagels, sandwiches, lunch boxes and deli food. According to Patti, individually-packaged meals and items are coordinated with health and safety protocols.
“The spread of germs is well-prevented with individually packaged meals, instead of people sharing from catering, communal trays or buffet service. Our employees are able to go to the cafeteria at their own times -- whenever they are hungry -- and do ‘grab and go’ to pick up their food. With such great support from Goldman Sachs we are able to provide an ongoing, continual food supply of recent deliveries. Having employees working so hard over such long hours at a time, the convenience of this program provides one less thing they need to worry about. It may seem like a small gesture to provide a meal, but it is lifting the weight off Northwell employees’ shoulders as day-today they’ll have so much weight to carry. It is such an amazing thing for our employees to grab a meal in that individually-packaged container. This way they can eat a little bit, keep the rest in the fridge, finish meals on their break if they choose to or even take the meal home with them,” Patti said.
In addition Goldman Sachs created Hydration Stations at both area hospitals, as the need was rec-
ognized among staff members. With an intense fastpaced setting to treat patients, added equipment, and layers of PPE (facemasks, face shields, gloves and protective gowns) layered on top of their scrubs, several healthcare workers were experiencing dehydration.
“When Goldman Sachs initially reached out to us, they wanted to understand what issues our employees and operations were facing in the hospitals. They thought of more they could do to help. We heard complaints of people feeling dehydrated so the Goldman Sachs team came to us with an idea of adding Hydration Stations all over each hospital building, in different areas and on the various floors. These are little tables and makeshift areas where we lay out a variety of beverages -- water, apple juice, orange juice and other drinks -- and these are situated for access by staff in all the high-traffic portions of the two hospitals. This makes it very easy for staff to access refreshments and stay hydrated,” she said. Pepsi and Coca-Cola are also involved for supplying Hydration Stations.
In addition to the 14,000 meals provided each week, Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Business Program partner Lola Granola Bars provided Syosset and Plainview Hospitals with a total of 1,500 snacks to distribute during the first week of the partnership. The food deliveries and patronage of restaurants is expected to last through Memorial Day at the least, setting up a minimum of a two-month span of local support to healthcare and local businesses.
“We have enough meals and beverages for everybody at both hospitals. We get in shipments of beverages and we keep cases in storage, so any time we run low we replenish them as needed. Goldman Sachs has made it clear that they will ease the burdens and help our staff for as long as they are able to,” Patti said.
In addition, residents living near to the two locations continue dropping off PPE, supplies, care packages, and even greeting cards for frontline healthcare workers.
Patti says all of Northwell Health’s staff and administration are touched by the generosity the community is displaying. “We are noticing and appreciating everything that our community, local businesses and Goldman Sachs is doing for us,” she said,
Recently there have been more and more “clapouts” for recovering COVID-19 patients discharged at both Syosset and Plainview Hospitals.
Everyone is looking for positive signs and moments to look forward to. When a patient is discharged the staff will gather in the lobby and clap for each patient as they leave and are taken home to their loved ones. This is great for the staff’s morale, having moments where we are seeing patients going home healthy and going to be home with their families -- this is encouragement for our staff and a reminder of why we are doing what we’re doing,” she said.
Local Restaurants in Goldman Sachs Partnership supplying to Northwell Health Syosset and Plainview Hospitals:
Sandwich Express, The Hero Joint, Brendel's Bagels & Eatery, Capers Catering & Delicatessen, Dugan’s Sandwich Shop, Gabby's Gourmet Bagelatessen, Sabeli, Town Bagel, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, B & D Deli & Catering, Bella Vista Pizza & Pasta, Coliseum Kitchen & Caterers, La Bottega Plainview, Iavarone Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria, Monaco's, TAJ Indian Fusion, Mario's Pizzeria Syosset, Way Of Life Healthy Cafe, Pete The Greek, Bareburger, Family BagelsPlainview, Butera's Restaurant of Woodbury, Cirella's Restaurant, Craft, George White, Lia's Pizzeria, Nostro Posto Pizzeria & Ristorante, Pizzabar 141, QDOBA Mexican Eats, Rajbhog Café, and Yiasou Yeeros
Healthcare workers keep hydrated with some of the donated drinks from Goldman Sachs.
Filename: Northwell_w321181g_Plasma donation ad_Blank Slate Media & Litmor
2020 Summer Programs – Coming to You Online
Your Columbia, Your Community
Columbia is your premier resource to continuing your studies at an Ivy League university this summer. We will miss our beautiful campus, but we are glad we can help students proceed with their educational goals by offering our world-class curriculum online.
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County officials deliver words of thanks to health care workers
Earlier this month, Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti spearheaded a program to send ‘Letters to Our Heroes’ to the brave medical professionals, public safety, correction officers and first responders that are working to keep us healthy and stop this virus. He encouraged residents around the county to send letters, drawings, and emails to his office thanking healthcare workers for all they do. On April 15th, Legislator Ferretti joined with CSEA Regional President Jerry Laricchuita, CSEA Local 830 President Ron Gurrieri, and hospital officials to deliver thousands of letters to healthcare workers, doctors, nurses and EMTs at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC).
"I was proud to deliver close to 2,000 letters I received as part of my 'Letters to Our Heroes' drive today, to the doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals at Nassau University Medical Center,” Legislator Ferretti said. “NUMC is an often-overlooked hospital that serves some of our most vulnerable here in Nassau County. Thank you to everyone from across the county that participated, and thank you to the doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, first responders, and corrections officers on the front lines keeping Nassau safe during the COVID-19 outbreak."
Ferretti plans to deliver more letters to other healthcare workers, first responders, and correction officers.
Students send heartfelt emails to people with COVID-19
BY GARY SIMEONE
Nicholas Fasulo, a senior at Bethpage High School was excited to have the opportunity to write to people in Spain who have contracted the deadly Coronavirus disease.
“During this unfortunate time, my Spanish teacher, señora (Kathryn) Oak, gave us this opportunity to reach out to individuals in Spain who have unfortunately contracted COVID-19, with their chances of survival below optimal,” said Fasulo. “She encouraged us to write these letters in order to help lighten this overwhelming burden by writing a little bit about ourselves and a short story.”
Oak said she gave out the assignment to all of her 10th, 11th and 12th grade
classes as an online learning lesson.
“We have been doing four weeks of online learning and I wanted to switch things up a little for the kids,” said Oak. “I thought it would be nice for them to reach out to people in need and also as way for them to brush up on their Spanish skills.”
She came up with the idea after learning about the letter writing initiative, which was started by a doctor working at a hospital in Madrid, Spain.
“This doctor, Christina MarinCampos, came up with the idea to send emails to hospital patients suffering from the Coronavirus,” said Oak. “These patients are all alone and are separated from their families because of the contagiousness of this disease.
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Within the first week over 30,000 emails were sent out to six different hospitals throughout Spain.”
Oak said she has a brother who works as an ICU nurse in a hospital, so she understands how isolating it can be for patients suffering from the disease.
“This was a good way for my students to use their Spanish skills to give someone else a little bit of hope and bring a little light into their lives.”
Peter Tsavaris, a junior, said the emails were a good way to help someone else going through a dark time in their lives.
“I think the emails were a great way to show people that we’re all going through the same things and that in a world of sickness, you can find
hope,” said Tsavaris. “I liked the idea of encouraging people I didn’t know and showing kindness and support during these difficult times. I hope the people received the letters and they know we’re all in this together.”
Nicole Zacchia, a senior student, said that she hopes her letter would bring comfort and stability to someone else’s life.
“Amid the chaos that COVID-19 brings to the world, I decided to write a letter to a Spanish patient in quarantine in the hopes that it will return some sort of stability to their life,” said Zacchia.
‘While this pandemic has generated fear and confusion for much of the population, it does not have to create loneliness too. So let’s stay connected.”
National Guard soldier retires
New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. James Kim, from Levittown, and assigned to the 133rd Quartermaster Company retired from the National Guard last month after more than 20 years of military service.
"A full military career is a major achievement in the lives of our Citizen Soldiers and their families," said Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York. "I congratulate our Soldiers, their loved ones and their employers on this milestone of more than 20 years of service. We may recruit individual Soldiers into our Army National Guard, but I know full well that it takes the support of a family to make this a career," he said.
Nassau County Legislator John Feretti, left, looks at some of the thank you messages sent to healthcare workers at Nassau University Medical Center.
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Levittown teachers assemble masks for health care workers
From page 1
to cover a person’s nose and mouth to help prevent them from catching COVID-19 disease.
Coppola said she’s been leaving the masks in front of her house on the windshield of her husband’s car and that people have been coming in droves to get them.
“I didn’t want people coming up to the house because my husband is considered a high risk person,” said Coppola. “The response that I’ve gotten from people has been amazing and I’ve even seen whole families stop by to pick up the masks.”
She said that she has plans to make a quilt that will hold sentimental value with all of the unused fabric she has.
Rachel Herbert, a teacher at Gardiners Avenue Elementary, has made over 200 face masks, that she’s donated to local hospitals, healthcare workers and people in her life who need them.
“I am a seamstress but making these masks was the first time I’ve sewed in over two years,” said Herbert. “Being able to do this has been such an amaz-
ing experience in light of such horrible times. Nothing makes me feel better than being able to help others doing what I love.”
She said she got involved with the process by joining a Facebook group that showed her different ideas and patterns for sewing masks.
“I’ve obviously had a lot of extra time being quarantined at home and this has been such a good, rewarding experience to see everyone come together like this.”
She started making the masks towards the end of March with extra fabric she had on hand and with muslin patterns that Levittown school superintendent, Tonie McDonald supplied her with.
Aside from the masks, she began putting together headbands for nurses to help with the elastic stretching on the masks.
“I made over 100 of these headbands because a lot of the nurses were complaining that the elastic from the masks was hurting their ears,” said Herbert.
She sent the masks to nurses who are working at Huntington Hospital in Suffolk County.
Businesses face challenges from Covid, stimulus programs
From page 1
during activities such as visiting a grocery store or pharmacy could be dangerous and create poorer safety to both the individual and the public they would be around.
“For me it was about being able to be there for patients. If I get a call or message, and a patient tells us ‘I can’t hear’ we will try to manage it without the routine visit. I do a lot of curbside appointments in front, people will pull up and I can take their hearing aids in and service them (mechanically) in the office while they wait outside. We are also actively taking Telehealth appointments. For many hearing aids (connected to a smartphone app) I am able to do remote programming on the device,” Dr. Callesano explained.
Dr. Callesano spoke about the setback on top of closure for COVID-19 in applying for the Paycheck Protection Program loan, the initial $350 billion program from the U.S. Small Business Association within the $2.2 trillion stimulus package signed into law last month. She pursued a PPP loan through JP Morgan Chase (Chase Bank) in the first week of April. She says Chase may have been slower than other banks to put the application online for clients; as of early afternoon on April 3 they did not have the opportunity available. Reports published by NBC News and The Hill have referred to Chase running out of PPP loan funds “within minutes” during the April 3 opening period.
“I found the application to be
completely chaotic -- there was no direction and there was misinformation. This was not streamlined at all, however I think was so much unknown and it was not the bank’s fault as bankers received information from their higher-ups who did not really know what was going on. We applied as soon as the program became available but the problem was the number of applicants -- at one point, Chase had 330,000 applications to get through and they stuck us into this queue. This remains messy and our application is supposedly being reviewed,” she said on April 16.
President Trump’s announcement on April 18 seeking $251 billion for the PPP and calling for support from both sides of the Congressional aisle noted that the loan program “ran out of money, funding is now fully drained.” Callesan and others say there’s more hope for the expected next round.
Dr. Callesano says when the PPP program was outlined for the public by the SBA, on its website Chase stated that when PPP loans were ready they would contact business clients. She says that never happened: “Had I not been checking the website consistently on April 3, there would have been no communication from Chase to let me know PPP was open to applicants. That is a huge problem because so many people must not have been able to scrutinize the Chase site all day. A point came when people weren’t able to access the PPP applications at all. They did not give a confirmation number or
anything -- they just stated thank you for your application and we will be in touch.”
Other business owners Dr. Callesano spoke with recently have said they were pleased with their banks of choice, and things had gone fairly smoothly as funds for PPP arrived within a number of days, she noted.
“We have to be in support of our fellow people and make sure we are standing together during this pandemic. I am lucky to have bought a very good community-focused business which has really healthy roots developed over a very long time. In terms of emergency funds we have at least six months’ worth of expenses saved for in the bank. But while I am lucky, I feel for the businesses that are not like this and many who had not been able to build up as much. People don’t know where to turn -- banks do not have really good information either as they hear from the federal level and SBA at the same time we are hearing information,” she explained.
While she did not apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Dr. Callesano said businesspeople should try to do as much due diligence as they can, and research the outlined stipulations of the federal programs. She sees the months and years ahead as a time for reflection, proper planning and adjustments for operations of nearly every business model. Perhaps the Center’s drive-up hearing aid service will be ‘here to stay.’
Woodbury resident Maureen Nickel, owner of BrightStar Home Health Care, is the president of the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce. She addressed dozens of members of the local business community during a Chamber networking session on April 16, held via Zoom. Nickel shared updates she received from both the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Nassau County Council of Chambers of Commerce.
“Their main suggestion is that businesses will reopen, When and how was discussed, with COVID-19 hotspots including New York/New Jersey and Illinois , etc. having to wait until later to reopen. But whatever you have done now with your businesses to maintain and deal with clients, ‘Don’t Stop That’ once business reopens.”
“If you are in an office environment and people have not been allowed inside and the company has been communicating virtually, sending and sharing documents and materials via email -- or if you bring items out to your clients’ cars -- whatever it is, continue as it will take some time for people to feel comfortable again coming into any offices, retail, restaurant or enclosed environments. Keep doing pick-ups for orders and bringing things to the trunk of people’s cars. When you are able to reopen your doors, provide face masks and hand sanitizers, disposable gloves on your counters and in reception areas. Supply anything to keep people comfortable and get clients back into shops and businesses,” she said.
Patty Coppola, a teaching assistant at Division High School, with some of the masks she has made.
Jericho HS ranks top on Long Island, 13th in state
BY RIKKI MASSAND
The popular U.S. News & World Report rankings for the Best U.S. High Schools for 2020 were released on Tuesday, April 21. Local standout Jericho Senior High School is this year’s top-ranked high school in Nassau County, coming in at 13th overall in New York State and at No. 127 among all high schools nationwide, as well as 191st overall in U.S. STEM High Schools.
With an enrollment of 1,112 students in grades 9 through 12. U.S. News & World Report noted Jericho HS has a 99% graduation rate and a ‘college readiness’ score of 86.3%, which puts Jericho at 16th best in New York state and 117th in the nation for ‘College Readiness Index Rank.’
The April 21, 2020 publication on Jericho High School stated: “the Advanced Placement (AP) course participation rate at Jericho is 92% -- 93% of students took at least one AP exam (in 2018-2019), 84% of students passed at least one AP exam. Jericho High School has 106 full-time teachers. The total minority enrollment of the school is 58% and 9% of Jericho High School students are economically disadvantaged.”
Reading proficiency for Jericho High School was listed at 99%, Mathematics
proficiency was noted as 95%. Jericho High School’s scorecard total by U.S. News & World Report was 99.29.
Two Queens high schools bested Jericho for statewide and national rankings. Townsend Harris High School in Flushing came in No. 5 in the nation according to the new rankings, and Queens High School for the Sciences at York College in Jamaica was No. 3 in the Empire State and No. 28 nationally, just behind Stuyvesant at No. 2 in New York and No. 25 nationally, and two spots ahead of No. 5 statewide, Bronx High School of Science (no. 36 nationwide). Brooklyn Technical High School was rated No, 7 in New York State and No. 47 nationally.
After Jericho, the next top-ranked Long Island School District nationally and in New York State was Garden City High School -- 20th overall in the state and No. 180 in national rankings. Garden City was followed by Manhasset High School, No. 23 in New York and No. 204 nationally. Great Neck South High School was the fourth-top rated Long Island high school at No. 26 in New York and No. 232 nationwide.
Jericho’s neighboring Syosset High School was ranked No. 35 in New York State and No. 276 nationally for 2020.
New real estate salesperson
Jennifer
Plainview,
Bethpage 4th grader makes headbands for healthcare workers
“I like the ‘hometown’ feel of a smaller boutique real estate firm,” comments Sneag. “This environment gives clients more personalized service where they can easily reach all sales agents as well as its Owner and President, Mara Navaretta, whenever needed.”
Sneag began her career working as an account manager of seven years with Morgan Stanley Prime Brokerage in Manhattan. She segued into the education sector as a middle school math teacher, grade coordinator and math coach, also of seven years, with The Mark Twain Intermediate School (IS78) for the Gifted and Talented in Brooklyn, before moving to Boston, for four years where worked with The Solomon Schechter Day School as a middle school math teacher and math coach. She moved to NYC in 2013 with her family when she went on sabbatical to raise her three children before eventually planting her roots in Plainview, and recently re-entered the workforce with a new concentration in real estate by joining Homes By Mara Realty.
Katie Corcoran, a fourth grade student from Kramer Lane Elementary School in the Bethpage School District, has been sewing buttons onto headbands for health care workers, which helps to alleviate the pressure of wearing masks.
Katie Corcoran, a fourth grade student from Kramer Lane Elementary School in the Bethpage School District, has been sewing buttons onto headbands for health care workers, which helps to alleviate the pressure of wearing masks.
When Katie heard that health care workers were in pain due to their masks, she was wanted to help.
Photo courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District
“Making the headbands makes me feel happy because it’s helping people feel more comfortable,” Katie said. “They’re working so hard trying to make all the sick people better and they shouldn’t be in pain.”
Katie raised funds for materials and has since donated 200 headbands to health care workers in more than a dozen hospitals on Long Island.
Sneag of
has joined Homes By Mara Realty of Syosset.
Jennifer Sneag Photo courtesy of Matthew Starr Photography
Hicksville Schools named Best Community for Music Education
The NAMM Foundation has once again recognized the Hicksville School District community for its commitment to music education with its 2020 Best Communities for Music Education award!
Hicksville is one of 754 school districts in the country named Best Communities for music education for 2020. The designation is awarded to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education, recognizing teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who strive to make music part of a well-rounded education.
“We are incredibly proud to have received this recognition for the fifth year in a row,” said Hicksville School District’s Supervisor of Fine Arts Chad Wyman. “Our students and teachers work so hard each and every day, and I know this means a great deal to them. What’s even better is the fact that this is a community honor, which could not be achieved without the support of our Board of Education, parents and Hicksville families alike!”
To qualify for the Best Communities for Music Education award, school districts must answer detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities and support for music programs.
“This award celebrates districts and schools that are working hard to assure that music education is part of a well-rounded education available to all students,” said NAMM Foundation Executive Director Mary Luehrsen in a video message sent to the recipients.
“We hope this news also lifts teachers, parents, school administrators, commu-
nity leaders and most of all, students, and supports the commitment we all
share to advance music education to all students, everywhere.”
Levittown students showcase creativity at Spark! Challenge
Division Avenue High School Spark! Challenge participants visited the Northwell Health Corporate Office to learn more about the partnership between human resources and Northwell Health physician partners. Photo courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools
Teams of students from the Levittown Public Schools’ Division Avenue and General Douglas MacArthur high schools recently participated in the 2020 Northwell Health Spark! Challenge. Students from both schools completed projects highlighting one of the many careers an individual can have in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related healthcare fields. The annual program encourages a partnership between high school students, educators and Northwell team members to shine a light on different healthcare careers.
This year, Division Avenue High School participants submitted a poster to the Spark! Challenge which represented human resources and how it connects to Northwell Health physician partners. Prior to making their poster, the students learned about how human resources partners with business leaders to support and grow their organization. They also learned about how coaching leaders guide productive and engaged teams, resolve employee
issues and help identify and develop talent. The students created a poster for a job opening as an HR Specialist with a Disney theme. The poster featured Northwell Health’s values of collaboration, compassion, motivation, perseverance and teamwork.
MacArthur High School students focused their project on the field of Corporate Biomedical Services. They created a video spotlighting biomedical engineers and also designed a poster. Prior to the production of their projects, the MacArthur students explored the critical role that individuals in this line of work do. This includes maintaining and repairing medical equipment, managing the biomedical department and engaging in biomedical engineering initiatives such as cybersecurity and asset tracking.
Although the students from both schools did not place in the Spark! Challenge this year, their projects were featured in the Northwell Health Spark! Challenge Program 2020 Guidebook.
Hicksville High School choral director Michelle Shmuel leads a group of Hicksville singers during a recent concert. Photo courtesy of the Hicksville School District
