Friday, October 9, 2020
Vol. 98, No.7
FOUNDED 1923
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Professionalis m, Trust & Prove n Results
LOCALLY OWNED AND EDITED
Lauren Grim a
Li c. R. E. Sa le sp er so n M 91 7.6 42 .5 03 6 O 51 6. 30 7.9 40 6 lauren.grima@ elliman.com
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Pumpkin patch
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Justice picnic PAGE 20
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Schools’ work session examines remote learning, teaching
OFF TO A GREAT START
BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
Trustees were concerned about an up-front outlay of funding for the project, given current economic conditions. Deputy Mayor Robert Bolebruch expressed concerns over a break from Garden City’s tradition of conservative fiscal management -- he reminded his fellow trustees that as Village Treasurer Irene Woo stated the streets-
At the Garden City Board of Education’s work session held Tuesday night, October 6, parents of children in grades 6th and up pressed for answers on when and how their children could return to full-time, in-school learning instead of the hybrid model now being used for that grade Presently sixth grade students attend in-person classes on alternate days. The Board’s work session featured a 150-minute presentation on hybrid and remote learning by an ensemble of teachers, and Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Edward Cannone. Teachers went into detail about portions of their instruction delivered through technologies such as Zoom, GoogleMeet and Seesaw or apps including Google Jamboard, Kami and Peardeck, a new interactive model described as a great way for teachers to check the students comprehension and skills. The parents who waited patiently for nearly three hours before the start of Tuesday’s public comment portion pressed for answers, comparing the hybrid model to the full time model used by students in grades K through 5. In addition to the hybrid and full time instruction models, some families have chosen fully remote instruction for their students. Board President William Holub called for public comments to remain “respectful” before several speakers continued to challenge the virtual learning environment used by older students. Moments later, Holub announced that while he understands the situation many parents and students are in, “I do not want anybody to die” because of schools fully reopening potentially increasing risks of Covid-19’s spread. With Tuesday’s presentation, the board heard from Garden City High School World Languages teacher Stephanie Castañeda Farkash. She said one of her concerns with hybrid learning was providing continuity for students to work collaboratively and speak in their target languages while learning fully remotely or at home on a remote day. One positive of remote groups assignments is to mix up grouping students and provide opportunities for the students to work with peers they may not normally interact with in a class. “As a teacher I have the ability to pop in and out of breakout rooms and I’m able to check in on students and provide support where they need support,” she noted.
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The Garden City Nursery School is off to a great start in spite of the pandemic. With limited class sizes and safety protocols, the school was able to reopen and provide fun times for all its young students.
Village debates costs for sidewalk repairs in business districts BY RIKKI N. MASSAND At its meeting on Thursday, October 1st, the Garden City Board of Trustees’ debated how to proceed with repairing sidewalks that have been identified as unsafe in the downtown business district. While the Village could repair the sidewalks itself, property owners ultimately are responsible for the cost and have received first notic-
es that the repairs must be done. Some property owners have made the repairs, however much of it still remains in poor condition. Members of the Board debated whether the Village should just do the work itself and then bill the property owners. However, the ability of business owners to repay the Village for the work caused some debate.
St. Paul’s stabilization halfway done PAGE 9 Firehouse Comm presents at WPOA PAGE 32