_________________ FREEPORT _________________
HERALD Freeport historian dies at 87
Electric team handles incident
KeepFit boxing event at the mall
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VOL. 88 NO. 25
JUNE 15 - 21, 2023
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Atkinson hosts conference on youth wellness
Freeport’s annual Girl Scout Fashion Show An extraordinary Fashion Show organized by the Freeport Association of Girl Scouts showcased the diverse styles and empowering spirit of young girls on June 2. At right, Perrine Louis, of Troop 2221, stole the spotlight as she strutted down the runway.
By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com
Deliah Roberts/Herald
On a vibrant day in Freeport, the Susanne Smoller Conference on Youth Wellness unfolded with great enthusiasm, paying homage to the extraordinary legacy of Susanne Smoller, an esteemed advocate in the PTA and the Nassau Public School District. Organized by the Nassau Region Parent Teacher Association, the annual gathering took place on May 9 at Caroline Atkinson Intermediate School, and focused on an educational atmosphere and a commitment to promoting awareness and advocacy for the well-being of young minds.
Immersing participants in a tapestry of interactive workshops and captivating presentations, the event delved into the realms of social-emotional learning, parent-child communication, and the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. “Mental health awareness and overall wellness are of utmost importance,” region board member and Smoller Conference Chairp Leona Fowler said. “Mental health is an integral part of one’s well-being, and wellness encompasses the overall state of being. The event’s theme focused on achieving holistic health, prioritizing self-care, and extending it to encompass not just oneself, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Freeport teachers honored for inspiring young scientists By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com
Two science teachers in the Freeport School District have been named Outstanding Science Teachers by the Science Teachers Association of New York State. Freeport was the only district in Nassau County whose teachers were honored. Peter Capaccio and Donna Rusinek were presented with the awards at a ceremony at the Coral House in Baldwin on May 16. Capaccio, an eighth-grade earth science teacher at J.W. Dodd Middle School, won the Intermediate Science Award. He
came to the Freeport district in 2004, and has consistently guided his students to excel in earth science Regents exams, Advanced Placement tests and U.S. Physics and Chemistry Olympiad exams. Capaccio instills a genuine passion for science in his students, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the subject. He also has a passion for meteorology, and has set up a weather station on the school’s roof, which has given students and community members access real-time weather data. The initiative aims to cultivate students’ interest in meteorology and encourage them to explore weather forecasting indepen-
dently. Capaccio attributed his career choice to the teachers who inspired him during his own schooling. Their enthusiasm and dedication left a lasting impact, he said, motivating him to share his love for science with the next generation. Witnessing students’ curiosity and the development of their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, he added, brings him immense joy and fuels his passion for teaching. “I’m very enthusiastic about meteorology, and I strive to ignite a similar enthusiasm in the students,” Capaccio said. “Some of them have shown a keen interest in observing the
changing numbers and conditions, and they enjoy making predictions and forecasts on their own. It’s gratifying to see them develop their forecasting skills and gain confidence in their abilities. By allowing them to forecast independently, they no longer solely rely on the news, and it gives them a sense of accomplishment. They can
say, ‘I don’t have to watch the news — I can do it myself.’” Capaccio’s commitment to excellence is evident in his honors-level classes, where he guides eighth-grade students through a Regents-level material typically taken on by high school sophomores. Rusinek, the science and EngCONTINUED ON PAGE 20