_______ Lynbrook/east rockaway ______
HERALD Also serving Bay Park
Congestion prices could take a toll
NCC names new interim president
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Vol. 29 No. 34
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AUGUST 18 - 24, 2022
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Rolling River celebrates three decades By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald
RollING RIVER DAy Camp Associate Director Alison Goodman-Rothenberg got into the spirit of the 30th anniversary celebration.
Rolling River Day Camp, in East Rockaway, rolled out the red carpet for a special VIP concert event celebrating its 30th anniversary. More than a thousand campers, counselors, and staff attended the Aug. 12 performance by emerging countrypop group On the Outside, hosted by SiriusXM Hits 1 radio personality Nicole Ryan. “It’s definitely the most ambitious event that we’ve done during the camp day,”
Rolling River Director Marissa Goodman-Allaben said. “For our big anniversaries, we look to do something special for the campers and staff.” In 2012, the camp celebrated its 20th anniversary as a special guest on the hit TLC series “Cake Boss,” on which Buddy Valastro and the Carlo’s Bakery crew made a cake replica of the camp. “When we planned this, we already had high expectations,” Goodman-Allaben added. Her experience in marketing led her to the idea of hostContinued on page 3
Rhame Avenue Elementary welcomes its new principal By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
A new face will welcome Rhame Avenue Elementary School students when they return to class in September. Jack Bixhorn, the school’s incoming principal, fills the vacancy Aug. 22 left by former principal, Dr. Aysesha McArthur. Bixhorn returns to the halls of Rhame Avenue where he served as an administrative intern and as a teacher. “I know the students are ready to learn,” Bixhorn said. “The staff is caring, and the community is eager to partner with the school. I am excited to
collaborate with all stakeholders to foster a safe and caring school environment that promotes student success and well-being.” Bixhorn began his administrative career with an internship at the Rhame Avenue Elementary School, which he said, helped provide him with a greater understanding of just how important and special the school’s principal is to the community. “I am thrilled to return to the Rhame Avenue School,” Bixhorn said in a statement. “During my time as a teacher in the school, I got to know the amazing students, staff, and parents. I was provided with professional
growth opportunities and the chance to collaborate with dedicated colleagues. The school and community were welcoming and supportive.” He was an algebra and special education teacher at the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School in the Bronx, early in his career, and later went on to teach sixthgrade math and science at Rhame. Eventually, after receiving tenure, he became the school’s elementary math specialist. During his time at Rhame Avenue, he worked closely with sixth-grade students to ensure their voices were heard. Under
his guidance, the students wrote letters to state representatives expressing why they felt funding for schools is so important in shaping their future. Bixhorn said the concept came to him after a member of the Board of Education brought up the possibility of having parents write letters to elected officials. In turn, he decided to take
things a step further. “I thought about how far a million dollars would go in such a small district,” Bixhorn told The Herald back in 2017. “And I thought the best way to make that point clear wasn’t to say what I would do with it, but to ask the kids what they would want from the million dollars.” Continued on page 4