Friday, January 8, 2021
Vol. 98, No.20
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Gift of Life PAGE 30
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Covid-19 outbreak at GC High School sends seniors home
A NEW TERM
BY MEG MORGAN NORRIS
New York State Senator Kevin Thomas was sworn in for his second term by Nassau County Executive Laura Curran (right) on January 5th. Looking on are Sen. Thomas’ wife, Rincy, and two year-old daughter, Layla.
Garden City High School’s senior class, which had mostly been attending classes on a hybrid, alternating day schedule, was placed on fully remote instruction this week after an outbreak of Covid-19. Of the total 70 cases of Covid among high school students since September, 41 of the positives have been found in the past week, according to statistics from New York State (as of January 5th). In a letter to parents this week, Garden City Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kusum Sinha said that there are currently 33 active cases of Covid-19 among members of the senior class alone. She said that the Nassau County Department of Health recommended that the entire senior class remain on virtual instruction until at least Monday, January 11th. The Department of Health is investigating and identifying close contacts of the infected students. She urged parents to abide by all testing and quarantining protocols.
Costs get clearer for water GC school district provides special education services in spite of pandemic remediation equipment BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
At the Tuesday, January 5th Board of Education work session, school board trustees and community members heard about Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services, especially relevant at a time when challenges of virtual learning have thrown staff and students into new territory. In addition, the Director and Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel
Services are both new to the district, having both been hired less than eight months ago. Garden City’s Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Janine Villez, was hired last year in May. At the board’s reorganization meeting in July, Villez was additionally appointed to multiple official school district roles — as designated supervisor of attendance; Medicaid Compliance officer; Section 504 Compliance officer/
coordinator, and as the district’s homeless children liaison. Desirée Clemente began in her position as assistant director for Pupil Personnel Services in summer 2020. Clemente has 17 years of experience as an educator and administrator for students with special needs. Villez noted that even in the best of years, bringing two new administrators into the PPS See page 43
BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
During the December 10th Board of Trustees’ meeting Village Treasurer Irene Woo stated that while the original estimate for systems to remove 1,4 dioxane from Garden City’s water had been expected to be about $50 million, in actuality the cost will be closer to $43 million. In addition New York State is expected to reimburse the Village for some of the costs. Cost increases for remediating the water system were set forth in the form of change orders and some structural modifications at village well sites. One of the two major costs allocated at December’s meeting was for the a contaminant removal system to Melville-based Philip Ross Industries, Inc. That cost was See page 32
Cathedral series on Anglican history PAGE 28 Renovated Adelphi center to open PAGE 3