$1
Friday, May 12, 2017
Vol. 77, No. 19
Six candidates run for three seats on Syosset School Board
GET HEALTHY WEEK
BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
18-20. “I congratulate this year’s class of Presidential Scholars for their devotion to academic excellence and their parents and teachers who have guided them along the way,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “Today’s Presidential Scholars are tomorrow’s leaders, and I am confident they will continue to be shining
The voters of Syosset and Woodbury will decide on three-year terms for one third of its board of education, and in 2017 one school board stalwart leads a highly accomplished field of local candidates. Dr. Michael Cohen, president of the Syosset Board of Education, weighed his decision to seek another three-year term and serve the community very seriously. In newcomer Carol Cheng he has found a running mate for the BOE this year, creating a team of two among the six challengers for three board seats. Dr. Cohen is the only sitting trustee seeking re-election on Tuesday, May 16, with a community vote on the annual budget, the use of $7.7 million in capital reserves for facilities and new members on the board. Current school board trustees Tracy Frankel and Susan Parker did not seek re-election. Cohen, meanwhile, will look to make it to 15 years’ service to the Syosset district. “It was a decision that took a long, long time to arrive at. With the support of family and friends I was able to make the decision to pursue it this time. The district has been through a lot over the last half-dozen years, with a few bumpy moments. Along with the other board members, I have spent hundreds of hours working and contemplating decisions outside of public board meetings in terms of committees, etc. We have come through it and what is most gratifying to me is that I know, even if I decided not to run or if this run is unsuccessful, I can leave the board with the gratification and sincere sense that the public really believes in us and that there’s been a 180-degree turnaround for the district,” Cohen explained in an interview with the Advance last week. His enthusiasm seems as fresh as it was when Cohen was first elected to the school board in 2005. He says over time, the experience and his approach to it has morphed into different things. “I know that being on the board is all about respecting one another as a group. It’s remembering that we all represent and work for the community, the students, the residents and everybody, as volunteers. These 12 years have been extremely stressful at times and very, very pleasure at other times – it’s been more of the latter,” he said. Some of his closest family and friends were concerned over Dr. Cohen’s general health from the many late nights of school board meetings and committee talks on top of a medical professional’s hectic lifestyle. Cohen said while his inner circle never pushed him to run again in 2017, they all arrived at the same reason to encourage him once more: “They said ‘this community needs you.’ I don’t intend
See page 14
See page 14
Jericho High School’s National Honor Society recently sponsored “Get Healthy Week,” which encouraged high school staff and students to engage in healthy behaviors including exercise, yoga, and healthy eating habits. The week culminated with a “Get Healthy Day” in which staff and students stopped by “Café 126” to enjoy healthy treats, including smoothies made by Whole Foods. Pictured (L-R) are National Honor Society advisor Alyson Silagy, High School Social Worker Todd Benjamin and High School Psychologist Danielle Smith helped make the day a success. Photo by Denise Nash.
Grace Hu named Presidential Scholar
Grace Hu
Jericho High School senior Grace Hu was announced as a Presidential Scholar. Hu is one of 161 outstanding American high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. The U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington D.C., from June
Baylis Elementary School Science Fair PAGE 16 Robbins Lane International Night 2017PAGE 27