Syosset student named one of LI’s Best Artists

Letters To The Editor

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

Supports Jill and Divya

To the Editor:

I am writing to you in the hopes that you will join me on May 16th (6am-9pm) in the Sam Springer Gym to RE-ELECT both Jill Citron (Jericho Board of Education President) and Dr. Divya Balachandar- trustee to the Jericho Board of Education. Jill has served on the board since 2017 and Divya since 2020. Please see the attached letter for specific details on what the district has accomplished during their tenure on the board.

It is extremely important that you and any family members that live in the household (18 and up) vote to re-elect these extraordinary women to retain their seats. This year the election is contested with 3 people running for 2 seats. As I served for 5 years on the Jericho BOE (2017-2022) I know firsthand what the district needs to move forward. During my time on the board, I worked closely with both Jill and Divya and assure you that these are the individuals who we need to represent our voices and support our students, and district residents.

Christopher Hale, coordinator of fine and performing arts; sophomore Larissa Mallen, art teacher Demi Protonenis. Photo courtesy of Syosset Central School District

Syosset sophomore Larissa Mallen has been named one of Long Island’s Best Young Artists. Her work titled, “Rebirth: A Disconnection,” created in marker and colored pencil, will be on display in Huntington’s Heckscher Museum.

“Larissa is creative and passionate about her artwork,” said Syosset art teacher Demi Protonenis. “She takes great pride in her craft and is always looking for the best compositional outcomes.”

Each year, students in grades 9 through 12 are invited to create and submit a work of art inspired by other pieces in the Heckscher Museum as part of the Long Island’s Best Young Artists competition. Hundreds of works of art are submitted from schools across Nassau and Suffolk counties and only 80 are chosen for display in the exhibition. The Heckscher Museum is the only juried exhibition on Long Island that offers high school students the opportunity to show their work in a museum.

Personally, I have known Jill for 13 years and Divya for 8 years. They are of excellent character, have integrity, and are dedicated to maintaining the excellence of Jericho. They are fiscal- ly responsible and are committed to helping every student reach their academic potential. They both are extremely attuned to student stress and have maintained a focus on the importance of students’ emotional/social and mental health needs. Both of these women are professional, well-spoken, and community-minded.

Over the last few years, board meetings have become increasingly tense, with what feels like a lack of civility & decorum. It is critical to have the right individuals take these board seats as the board sets the tone for all dialogue. Throughout the course of the last year, it has been an embarrassment to see how some of the board speak so disrespectfully to the administration, staff, fellow board members, and to the public. Please do not let the personal or political agendas of some board members encourage you to vote for an unqualified candidate. Jill and Divya are the only two candidates who deserve these seats and have a proven and successful record. Let us support them in their ability to continue with their important work for our entire community!

Pam Wasserman-Heath,PsyD Former Jericho Board of Education Trustee & Vice President