_______ Lynbrook/east rockaway ______
COMMUNITY UPDATE Infections as of June 1
3,285
Infections as of May 25 3,282
$1.00
HERALD Also serving Bay Park
LHS gives pints for a cause
Students who stand out
Rasing flags of remembrance
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VOL. 28 NO. 23
JUNE 3 - 9, 2021
Parents split on masking children requirements for children. Diane Isopo O’Gara said she was among the people who believe With coronavirus cases drop- youths should no longer have to ping and restrictions easing, wear them. many parents have made a push “Kids should be unmasked,” to allow children to go without Isopo O’Gara said. “It is hurting face coverings at schools and their self-esteem and is more detcamps, while others have been rimental to their health to be reluctant to do so. breathing in their own breath for “The masking rules for school hours a day than Covid-19 is a must remain as danger. Teachers long as children who are vaccinated are not vaccinatshould feel protected,” Avram Pilich ed, and those who said. “Just because are still nervous many adults are can choose to wear vaccinated, that their own masks doesn’t mean that all day, but I want unvaccinated kids my kids to be are safe. Children unmasked for have died from BARBARA BROOKS good.” Covid-19 and Jessica Campspread it to rela- RUSSACK bell said she was tives who have East Rockaway also in favor of died. Nobody likes unmasking chilwearing masks, but dren, noting that as this is a matter of life and a parent and a teacher, she was death.” concerned that masks would Ashley Miller expressed a have a lasting negative impact. similar sentiment. “Until the One of her students, she said, kids can be vaccinated, masks has suffered frequent nosebleeds stay on, especially indoors,” she since having to wear one, while said. many other children aren’t as Across the state and in Nas- social as they used to be. sau County, however, there have “Young children need to see been rallies at which people have pushed for an end to mask CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
By MIKE SMOLLINS msmollins@liherald.com
I
Courtesy Steve Grogan
Remembering the fallen Lynbrook hosted a Memorial Day parade on Monday to remember those who have died serving the country. Members of the American Legion were among the marchers. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Students make linguistic history Three seniors become first to earn Seal of Biliteracy By JULIA SWERDIN jswerdin@liherald.com
Lynbrook High School seniors Je n n i re t h To m ayo, Ta n i a Ramirez and Mariam Caraza were recently awarded the New York State Seal of Biliteracy, making them the first Lynbrook students to receive the honor. According to the state Department of Education, the NYSSB “recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high
level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English.” Madelyn Torres, who chairs the Lynbrook School District’s English as a New Language department, explained that the seal is a distinguishing factor for college and job applicants and an important way to honor the meaningful skill of bilingualism. “In a world that’s constantly changing, evolving and becom-
ing more diverse, in not only our district but the world as a whole, it is so important to be able to communicate with others,” Torres said. “When we widen our understanding of each other’s backgrounds, we can grow to have greater appreciation and respect for everyone.” Torres said that when she became a Lynbrook teacher in 2004, the ENL curriculum was a CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
believe masks for children should be up to their parents.