Vol. 84, No. 4
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Friday, January 26, 2024
SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVITTOWN
Town, Stony Brook to “Put Oysters Back in Oyster Bay”
Pod Squad gets the word out
The Levittown Board of Education welcomed the Salk Middle School Pod Squad for the academic presentation at the Jan. 10 meeting. Students have a gift for gab at Salk Middle School in the Levittown School District, and that was the inspiration for the new Pod Squad. The podcasting club was spotlighted during the academic presentation at the Jan. 10 board of reducation meeting. Principal John Zampaglione said that the goal is to have 100% of Salk students participate in at least one extracurricular activity, so the building administrators and teachers continually look for ways to expand offerings that meet student interests. That’s how the Pod
Squad started, when sixth grade teacher Michele DiLevo heard her students having a spirited debate about the Giants and Jets, and wanted to give them a more formal outlet to talk about topics they care about. Ms. DiLevo, now the adviser of Pod Squad, and several students presented at the board meeting. They talked about the different podcasts they produce, which focus on a wide variety of topics such as animals, Legos, sports and video games. There is even a podcast dedicated to getting to
know Salk students and staff a little better. “They want to talk about what they’re passionate about,” she said. Students are involved in all aspects of podcast production, from planning a show, to recording, to editing. They enjoy adding music and sound effects. Pod Squad members have also been doing audio recording of children’s books, which they hope to share with the elementary schools in the future.
The Mid-Island Times & Levittown Times is Published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Tel 931-0012. USPS 3467-68 Postmaster: Send Address Changes to: The Mid Island & Levittown Times 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530. Meg Norris Publisher
The Town of Oyster Bay will be partnering with the Research Foundation of the State University of New York (SUNY Stony Brook) in a transformative project aimed at revitalizing Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor’s oyster populations. The project, titled “Putting the Oyster Back in Oyster Bay,” has received a generous grant amount of $477,200 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), with matching funds totaling $308,500. Oyster reefs in Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor have faced challenges due to overharvest, habitat loss, and water quality degradation. This project seeks to address these issues by synthesizing data to identify areas for enhanced oyster recruitment, survivorship, and growth, and to develop an ecosystem-scale, science-based plan to establish self-sustaining oyster populations in Oyster BayCold Spring Harbor. By refining hydrodynamic models, creating habitat suitability maps, and mapping oyster recruitment, the initiative aims to coordinate local efforts to build a metapopulation of interconnected oyster reefs. “Oyster Bay has a rich history intertwined with our marine ecosystems, and it is our responsibility to ensure its preservation for future generations. The Oyster BayCold Spring Harbor Oyster Restoration Project is a testament to our proactive approach in addressing environmental challenges. By working together, we are not only rebuilding oyster populations but also fostering a more resilient and interconnected habitat. This project aligns with our commitment to sustainability and underscores the significance of collaboration in achieving environmental goals,”Supervisor Saladino said. “The Town of Oyster Bay is committed to playing a key role in this endeavor, working hand-in-hand with SUNY Stony Brook, environmental groups, and other local partners to foster the rebuilding of oyster populations and donating oyster/clam shells accrued through our Shell Recycling Program,” said Councilwoman Johnson. “The project's comprehensive approach aims to enhance oyster recruitment, survivorship, and growth, establishing a pathway for the creation of shellfish reefs—a crucial component of Long Island Sound’s Important Coastal Habitat.”
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