_________________ BALDWIN ________________
CoMMUNity UPDAtE infections as of June 6
4,135
infections as of May 26 4,127
$1.00
HERALD
Seniors enjoy light show
Girls’ lacrosse on verge of playoffs
Dirt bike skids across Grand Ave.
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Vol. 28 No. 24
JUNE 10 - 16, 2021
District moving forward with universal pre-K state education commissioner. The state also stipulates that 10 percent of funding must be New York state recently allo- used to contract with one or cated nearly $550,000 for the more eligible local communityBaldwin School district to create based pre-K programs, regard96 full-day pre-kindergarten slots less of whether the district next school year. Now district decides to undertake its own officials are finalizing a request- pre-K program. Local officials for-proposals to contract with must engage in a competitive outside providers or develop selection process to decide which partnerships with programs receive outside community funding, even if the groups to add the district has already slots. contracted with an With this state eligible program. aid, districts can Universal pre-K create their own participation is not pre-K programs in mandatory. If too their schools, lease many students regfacilities that are SCott HoffMAN ister for it, a lottery within or near the Baldwin resident will deter mine districts, or conentry. This may tract with other pose a problem for day-care providers, early child- parents who may still need to hood programs or community- pay for private pre-K in the area, based organizations, which is which runs on average between the avenue that Baldwin is $250 to $350 a week. According to exploring. the State Education Department, The state allotted $5,704 per roughly 41 percent of Baldwin student in pre-K. Districts may students were economically disuse the funds to cover transpor- advantaged in 2019-20. tation, programs, salaries, mateBaldwin resident Scott Hoffrials and supplies, administra- man recognized the question of tive services, leasing expenses equity inherent in implementing and other facility costs, and pro- universal pre-K, noting, “It’s fessional developmen, all of which must be approved by the Continued on page 22
By CriStiNA Arroyo roDriGUEz carroyo@liherald.com
i
Nicole Alcindor/Herald
BAlDwiN rESiDENt MANUEllA Casimir said that both of her sons, Alexander, left, and Matthew, are doing school virtually at Baldwin Middle School and Meadow Elementary School.
Baldwin parents weigh in on masking children in school By NiColE AlCiNDor nalcindor@liherald.com
As the coronavirus pandemic has stretched into a second year, children have been required to follow socialdistancing protocols and wear masks while at school — until last Friday, when the state sent out a letter stating that masks at school were now only “encouraged.” To allow more time for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to respond,
however, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reversed this loosening of restrictions on Sunday, saying that previous indoor Covid mask policies would be continued — but that local school districts would have the prerogative to supersede his order. At least three school districts have loosened the indoor mask mandates — Sachem, Massapequa and Patchogue-Medford. The Baldwin School District plans to f o l l o w s t a t e g u i d a n c e,
announcing on its website, “Once new guidance has been officially issued by the [State Department of Health] and/ or the Gover nor, we will update everyone accordingly.” Some Baldwin residents expressed mixed emotions about their children’s wearing masks at school. Manuella Casimir said that both of her sons, Alexander, 12, and Matthew, 9, are doing school virtually at Baldwin Middle School and Meadow ElemenContinued on page 22
t’s important for all kids to have the same start.