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Friday, May 5, 2017
Vol. 77, No. 18
Jericho Board considers adding student seat
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
updated. “I think it is fair for our residents especially with our ever growing technology, that we have a new study to look into the effects of these type of devices,” said Saladino. The Supervisor said he has called on his State representatives in Albany, including State Senator, Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand to look into
For the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year the Jericho High School Student Council will be running elections to determine its co-presidents for next school year, plus taking aim on a new endeavor. At the Jericho Board of Education meeting on Thursday, April 20, a discussion ensued as the High School Student Council mentioned its recent work with the Board of Education to create a “Student Board Representative” position in Jericho. School boards in some other high-achieving districts in the region host a high school student, usually a senior, at their executive table at board meetings throughout the year and allowing them the opportunity to provide announcements and updates as well as input on meeting topics. For Jericho, the plans are to be a bit more involved. The High School Student Council completed research on a student board rep. position by contacting counterparts in those roles at both Uniondale Public Schools and at the Miami-Dade School District in south Florida. More information came about from researching NYSSBA, the New York State School Board Association’s annual conference. The students came back interested in the role, and the Council recommended a formal position to be established going forward. High School Class of 2017 President Chase Serota explained the need to create the seat in Jericho. “We felt that the student council report we now have from the Middle School and High School is very effective in a lot of ways – number one it provides an opportunity for student council to communicate with the community and board about different events going on at the schools and to keep everyone appraised of events. The one place we felt it lacks is for student council to have a two-way line of communication with the school board, in terms of addressing issues and decisions the board is making and allowing us to give our feedback from a consensus of the student body. A representative provides a student perspective on an ever-changing district and acts as a liaison. A representative also works with student councils from all levels, kindergarten through 12th in an effort to listen to the opinions of all students for the board. A representative serves as a point of reference for school functions working with the student councils – this is a third responsibility and we felt it could be streamlined here instead of separate events with the student councils, we could have one event to fundraise,” Serota said. He mentioned the ability to comment on board moves as well as big-picture issues like the renovations of school district facil-
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See page 8
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph S. Saladino (fourth from left) recently joined with members of the Syosset Fire Department who conducted an open house to recruit new volunteers from the community. The department members talked about the many benefits of membership and explained what it takes to be a Volunteer Firefighter or Emergency Medical Service (EMS) provider in the community. The recruitment open house was part of a state-wide volunteer firefighter recruitment program called Recruit NY, which is now in its seventh year. Anyone interested in joining the Syosset Fire Department can call (516) 677-4516 for more information.
Town wants law change on cellular devices BY GARY SIMEONE There have been a rash of phone calls to the Town of Oyster Bay recently from residents who are concerned about the newly installed cellular phone repeaters in their neighborhoods. From Woodbury to Syosset, residents have called in worried about the health effects of the box like repeaters being installed within feet from their homes.
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor, Joe Saladino said that he hopes to quell the fear of residents by doing three things. Those things include initiating a study into the possible adverse effects of newer cellular technology, changing the law so local municipality’s can stop the installation of these devices until medical studies are completed and have a mandate that medical studies must be constantly
Moms raise funds for kids with cancer PAGE 19 Robbins Lane dances the night away PAGE 4