January 4, 2023 Babylon

The counseling team at Robert Moses Middle School in the North Babylon School District is developing new initiatives and helping students achieve those goals this school year.

New for this school year, the counselors have launched a respect/ responsibility/relationship program. The 3Rs program uses common language to connect students and staff.

Robert Moses students are being rewarded was a pawprint when they meet any of these expectations set forth by the program. They can turn in one pawprint for a reward or save up 10 and get a pair of cozy pajamas. The initiative sets a schoolwide behavior standard and acknowledges when students are displaying good behaviors. Support staff, cafeteria aides and security guards all have pawprints to give out.

Robert Moses counselors have also partnered with L.I. Crisis Center for

Robert Moses Students Supported On All Levels

push-in lessons on socialemotional learning and awareness. During the interactive workshops, community educators speak to students on topics such as mental health, managing emotions and cyberbullying awareness, depending on the grade level.

Robert Moses counselors are also visiting sixth grade classrooms to work on goal setting and reflection on the first quarter of school for students. They are breaking down goals into short-term and long-term to help give students a sense of direction, responsibility and respect, tying into the 3Rs initiative. They recently asked students to write down a goal on a feather. The feathers were all joined together to create an art mural of wings on a bulletin board that reads “Where Will Your Wings Take You.”

Working with seventh and eighth grade students, the counselors connect these goal-setting initiatives to

their academic plans for high school and beyond. They show students how to use Naviance to enter their goals and the planner tool helps them work on their organizational skills. The counselors work with eighth graders to start to

explore different programs of study and think about the electives/options they have in high school.

Some additional initiatives offered at Robert Moses by the counseling staff include a Lunch Bunch program, where students

can meet new faces, play games and interact during their lunch period outside the cafeteria. Following morning announcements on Wednesdays, there’s a Wellness Wednesday tip of the day for students that connects back to different

social emotional learning initiatives in the building. Eighth grade students can also sign up to be student ambassadors to welcome new students in the building or peer tutors/homework helpers after school for the younger students.

STUDENTS SUPPORTED ON ALL LEVELS - Students at Robert Moses Middle School in the North Babylon School District are working with the counseling staff on setting goals. Each student wrote down a goal on a feather. The feathers were all joined together to create an art mural of wings on a bulletin board that reads “Where Will Your Wings Take You.” Photo courtesy of North Babylon School District

With Winter Heating Season Nearing, PSEG Long Island Customers May Be Eligible For Assistance

As winter heating season approaches, PSEG Long Island recognizes that many households are facing challenging times and wants to remind its customers that programs exist to help people struggling with utility bills. There are also many ways they can lower their bills by using energy wisely.

“Everything is more expensive today, and PSEG Long Island continues to work hard to provide our customers with safe, reliable energy at the lowest possible cost,” said Lou DeBrino, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Customer Services.

“To help manage energy use and costs, we offer resources, tips and a variety of energy efficiency programs. We also know many of our customers are struggling to pay bills, and we encourage them to reach out to us to enroll in a deferred payment agreement and learn about available financial assistance programs.

Colder weather is coming, which will mean higher heating costs. We urge our customers to act now, and we’re here to help.”

The costs associated with purchasing fuel for electric power supply are directly passed through to the customers. With energy costs rising due to global conflict, inflation, and high demand as the winter heating season approaches, PSEG Long Island understands the impact this increased financial burden can have on its customers.

In accordance with a policy established by the LIPA Board of Trustees, a hedging program is in place to reduce the volatility of power supply costs for customers. Hedging provides price stability in case of unforeseen commodity market and weather events that drive up prices. In addition,

PSEG Long Island and LIPA work to further mitigate the monthly volatility to customers as costs materialize.

How Customers Can Lower Their Bills

The most effective thing customers can to do lower their bills is to use electricity more efficiently. Here are some helpful tips:

• Replace inefficient incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs since, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting accounts for about 15% of the electricity used in the home, and LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer.

• Use a programmable thermostat to automatically manage your home’s heating and cooling needs.

ENERGY STAR estimates that properly used programmable thermostats can save the average American household about $180 a year. In addition, PSEG Long Island offers rebates on smart thermostats.

• Lower your thermostat by just one degree to potentially reduce your heating bill. Lowering it two degrees during the day and five to 10 degrees at night will save even more.

• Install timers and motion detectors to automatically manage indoor and outdoor lighting and help ensure lights are not on when they’re not needed.

• Ceiling fans can be used to save energy in winter. Setting a fan to rotate clockwise on low pulls cool air toward the ceiling, pushing warm air down into a room.

• Seal windows and doorframes with

weather stripping or caulk, and remove or cover window air conditioners to help to prevent drafts that waste energy and money.

• Reduce “phantom power” by using energy efficient power strips or unplugging electronic devices when they’re not in use. Items plugged into outlets use electricity even when they’re turned off.

• Install a high efficiency air source heat pump (ASHP) to lower energy usage, save money and provide greater comfort in cold and hot months. Robust rebates are available from PSEG Long Island’s Home Comfort Program for ducted ASHP units, ducted geothermal heat pumps and ductless mini split systems. Additionally, PSEG Long Island’s Home Comfort PLUS program offers enhanced rebates for customers who meet certain income qualifications.

• More money-saving ideas and rebate information are available at https:// www.psegliny.com/ saveenergyandmoney/ energystarrebates.

Assistance Available To Those Struggling With Bills

PSEG Long Island wants to work with any customer struggling to pay their bills and help them find a solution. The company encourages anyone with a past-due account balance to call 1-800-490-0025 so a representative can help them develop a deferred payment agreement tailored to the needs of their household.

Additionally, PSEG Long Island wants to make customers aware of the financial assistance

programs offered by New York State:

· The New York State Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program: Customers enrolled in PSEG Long Island’s Household Assistance Program will automatically receive a credit toward their arrears as of May 1, 2022, via this new, state-run program. Customers who meet the eligibility requirements and have not yet enrolled in the Household Assistance Program have until Dec. 31, 2022 to enroll in the Household Assistance Program to qualify for this bill credit.

· Customers who have received a payment on their PSEG Long Island account through the New York State-administered Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) also qualify for the New York State Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program. As ERAP payments continue to be received, the New York State Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program will remain open through Dec. 31, 2022.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can provide a heating fuel grant to

eligible homeowners and renters depending on income, household size and how they heat their home. A family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,485 and still qualify for benefits. This benefit is scheduled to open on Nov. 1. For more information, visit https://otda.ny.gov/ programs/heap/.

Emergency HEAP, a subset of the HEAP program, offers eligible customers a grant to help low- and middle-income New Yorkers avoid having their home heating disconnected or exhausting their heating fuel source. This emergency portion of HEAP is scheduled to open on Jan. 3, 2023. If customers are experiencing an emergency, they can apply for this benefit by reaching out to their local Department of Social Services location, which can be found here: https:// otda.ny.gov/programs/ heap/contacts/

· For low-income house-holds facing noheat situations, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is also accepting applications

for its heating equipment repair or replacement benefit. Eligible homeowners can now apply for up to $4,000 for repair or $8,000 for replacement of a furnace, boiler or other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the household’s primary heating source working. Additionally, eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment to allow for its safe and efficient operation. Customers can apply for this benefit by reaching out to their local Department of Social Services location, which can be found here: https:// otda.ny.gov/programs/ heap/contacts/

Customers who apply for and receive one of these state or federal benefits are automatically placed on PSEG Long Island’s Household Assistance rate and the residential energy affordability program providing energy efficiency measures and suggestions to help lower consumption.

Successful Donation Drive

On Monday, December 19, 2022, Noelle Lambert and The Bryn Elliott Team concluded their Holiday Donation Drive, which ran for four weeks and had drop-off locations throughout Long Island. The drive brought in countless donations, all of which were given to a local non-profit organization, the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH).

“It was such a great experience and people didn’t hold back,” said Noelle Lambert, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “I received calls, texts and emails from people who heard of the drive and wanted to donate, many of which ended up giving so much that they couldn’t bring it all into a drop-off location in one trip. Although it’s a very sad reality that many individuals are experiencing homelessness and other hardships right here on Long Island, it was really refreshing to see our community come together and do something about it.”

The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless strives to end homelessness on Long Island, and to alleviate the issues associated with homelessness and poverty for homeless and at risk persons in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The organization’s distribution center where the donations were brought is located at 600 Albany Avenue in Amityville,

and is also known as their boutique. People in need can make an appointment to come to the boutique and leave with clothes and other items, such as non perishable food and personal care products for free. LICH is here to work directly with people in need, as well as with case managers, shelter staff members, school employees, church members and the like who are helping these individuals.

”This organization does so much good and it was a pleasure to contribute towards their important mission,” said Bryn Elliott, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “So many people have clothing and miscellaneous items that they aren’t using, while others are in real need; it’s just a matter of coordinating a collection. However, it’s clear that the holiday spirit helped our drive quite a bit. I want to express how thankful we are to all who donated, as well as for the businesses that allowed us to use their locations for the drive, which includes USA Auto Body in East Patchogue, The Fish Store in Bayport, Long Island Media Group in

Farmingdale and Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Smithtown and Farmingville.”

“We are so very grateful for this drive that Noelle and The Bryn Elliott Team put together,” said Bailey Riekkinen, Community Engagement Specialist at LICH.

“The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless will continue to advocate and serve until we achieve our mission of ending homelessness on Long Island. In 2022, we referred over 700 households for permanent housing through Coordinated Entry, a system that ensures the most vulnerable Long Islanders are prioritized for permanent, affordable housing. Affordable housing is scarce on Long Island, and we are consistently working hard at connecting Long Island’s most vulnerable to the available resources. Additionally, we received and distributed over 10,000 pounds of food and toiletries along with countless clothing items to locals that are homeless and at-risk on the streets and in shelters through our boutique and pantry.”

Together we can make a true difference in our community.

If you would like more information about starting a donation drive with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, please contact Bailey at 631.464.4314 x125. For more information about LICH and all they offer, visit www. addressthehomeless.org or call 631.464.4314.

Helping You Help Others

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for January is Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is a local non-profit organization that began in 1995 as a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. They grew from having two programs, eight horses and 80 students per week to 11 programs, 25 horses and 400 students per week - and they continue to grow today! “Our mission has been, and continues to be, to provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing,” said Lisa Gatti, Founder and CEO of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian. “We proudly serve individuals with disabilities, those who have been abused or neglected, the military and the impoverished.”

Their location in Islandia offers an unequaled setting for equestrian activities, with a 20-stall barn on 13 acres, handicapped accessible bathrooms, a 100’ x 120’ indoor arena with state-of-the-art-footing and a rider hoisting system, 3 outdoor riding arenas, classrooms, accessible playground, a greenhouse and a wellness center. They offer the following programs: Lessons: This program provides quality adaptive riding and unmounted lessons that benefit individuals with cognitive, physical, emotional and mental disabilities. Each one of their riding instructors excels in their field and continues with training and certification throughout their careers.

Equine Assisted Learning: This program incorporates horses experientially for educational and emotional growth and learning. Using unique approaches to create positive and constructive learning experiences for children and adolescents who are at risk of failing in the traditional academic setting, this program has changed the lives of countless individuals.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: This follows a model designed by EAGALA,

Inc., the leading international EAP training and certifying organization. Currently, Pal-OMine Equestrian has 7 Licensed Mental Health Professionals and 11 Equine Specialists who are certified in this model. Groups that are participating focus on the following issues: grief, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, substance abuse, addiction and codependency.

Speech & Occupational Therapy: Clients respond well to therapy incorporating activities with animals, and a variety of therapy goals can be addressed using this treatment strategy. Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists run this program to provide therapy services with the assistance of wonderful animals.

Military: For more than four thousand years, horses have been an integral part of warfare. Today, horses are still playing an important role in war, this time in the recovery of military veterans who have suffered emotional and/or physical injuries. This program is an EAGALA designated Military Program and offers individual, group and family sessions to help people heal.

Corporate Leadership: The way individuals interact and react with horses is very similar to the way they interact with their clients, customers, peers and work groups. People interpret horse behavior/emotions through the lens of their personal perception. How they interpret horses can often be a metaphor for their work, attitudes and relationships. Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is proud to offer a Corporate Leadership program.

For more information about this organization and all they offer, please call 631-348-1389 or visit www.pal-omine.org. Don’t miss next week’s article to learn about how you can get involved and help others in your community.

Donations collected from the drive

Noelle Lambert & Bryn Elliott

Babylon Public Library

Young Adult Programmer: Margaret Kavanagh 24 South Carll Avenue Babylon 631-669-1624

Hatha Yoga Thursdays 1/5, 1/19, 1/26, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23 at 6:00 pm This 6-week session is an active class, suitable for beginners as well as more experienced practitioners. Please bring a mat and a large towel or blanket. There is a $30 non-refundable fee due at registration. No walk-ins. Sessions meet 1/5, 1/19, 1/26, 2/9, 2/16, and 2/23.

Plots & Pastries Monday 1/9 at 10:00 am We will be discussing The Alice Network by Kate Quinn.

Adult Book Discussion Wednesday 1/11 at 7:00 pm We will be discussing The Lioness by Peter Bohjalian. Pick up a copy at the Reference Desk.

Classic Film Club: Shadow of a Doubt Thursday, 1/12 at 6:00 pm Join us for Alfred Hitchcock’s “Shadow of a Doubt” (1943). Hitchcock’s personal favorite of all his

films, “Shadow of a Doubt” is a chilling thriller. Joseph Cotten is unforgettable as Uncle Charlie, the evil that invades an idyllic American small town. 108 minutes.

Mediterranean Cooking Demonstration & Tasting Wednesday, 1/18 at 6:00 pm Join Chef Naela as she shows how to make these classic and delicious Mediterranean dishes and taste some for yourself! Naela will demonstrate how to make your own basic dough, spinach pies, za’atar flatbread, and hummus. There is a $5.00 non-refundable fee due at registration.

Friday Films: Mrs. Harris goes to Paris Friday, 1/20 at 2:00 pm

In 1950’s London, a widowed cleaning lady falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress, deciding she must have one of her own. After working to raise the funds

to pursue her dream, she embarks on an adventure to Paris that will change not only her own outlookbut the very future of the House of Dior. Rated PG. 115 minutes.

Gentle Yoga Mondays, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, and 2/27 at 11:00 am This 5-week all-levels class is focused on moving mindfully and with ease. Each session consists of standing, prone and seated postures. The focus is on body awareness, strengthening, stretching and the breath. Please bring a mat and a large towel or blanket. Chairs are available to help students get up and down to the floor. This session meets 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, and 2/27. There is a non-refundable fee of $25.00 due at in-person registration.

5 Basic Principles for Getting (and Staying!) Organized – VIRTUAL

Monday, 1/23 at 6:30 pm on Zoom

As professional organizers and co-authors of the selfhelp book Beyond Tidy, Marie Limpert & Annmarie Brogan of Organize Me! of NY, LLC will teach you their Five Basic Organizing Principles, answer questions and provide solutions to common challenges that get people stuck. Drawing upon 15 years of experience, this Virtual Presentation focuses on: - What it really means to be organized.

- How organized living saves you time, money, space and energy. - The best ways to organize and declutter your spaces.

- Developing a positive, growth mindset that will keep you motivated and solution-focused. - How to avoid getting off track.

- Getting your family on board. - Creating a home and life you’ll love! This program will be presented on Zoom; please register with an email address.

The Babylon Chorale Auditions

The Babylon Chorale will hold auditions on Monday evening, January 9, 2023 starting with rehearsal at 7:30pm at Sisters of St. Joseph Brentwood Campus. All voice parts are welcomed.

For further information and current protocols, visit www.babylonchorale. org or email info@ babylonchorale.org

Home Ideas

(NAPSA)-You can feel more secure that your home can weather any storm if you’ve got a generator to keep the lights and appliances on in an outage. To learn more about generators, visit www.briggsand stratton. com/safetyfirst.