_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
CoMMuNItY uPDAte Infections as of March 22
5,489
Infections as of March 16 5,366
$1.00
HERALD
KidoYo team thriving at WHMS
Free masks in Malvene
At Stop & Shop, workers get shots
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Vol. 28 No. 13
MARCH 25 - 31, 2021
A ‘sad’ time for St. Thomas Enrollment declining, W.H. Catholic school to close in June future,” Maniscalco wrote in a letter to parents. “Given these circumstances, I see no alternaAfter 61 years in West Hemp- tive to accepting the reality that stead, St. Thomas the Apostle the parish cannot continue to School will close at the end of operate our school without the school year. exhausting in the Since 2015, nursnear future the very ery school through re s o u rc e s wh i ch eighth-grade student make it possible for enrollment had us to have a school.” declined 35 percent, He added that the to just 209 students, pandemic also according to the Diodelayed the school’s cese of Rockville plans to implement Centre, which made an innovative prothe announcement gram to boost enrollon March 16. The ment last September. Rev. Francis Manis“If ever a school calco, the elementahad a community ry school’s pastor, worth serving, it is said that the corona- tHe ReV. St. Thomas the v i r u s p a n d e m i c FRANCIS Apostle for the past added to the cost of year,” Maniscalco safely opening and MANISCAlCo wrote. “This closing operating the build- Pastor, is solely due to tough ing. Over the past St. Thomas the enrollment and five years, the school financial realities needed more than $1 Apostle School and not to any lack million in subsidies in your willingness from the parish and to make our school strong.” the diocese to sustain its operaJesica Her nande z, a St. tions. In the 2019-20 school year, Thomas parent, told the Herald those subsidies totaled $272,000. that she was saddened by the “Our school leadership and news. “It was devastating,” she staff have worked tirelessly said. “It’s been a part of my famagainst enormous odds to see our school through to a secure Continued on page 10
By NAKeeM GRANt ngrant@liherald.com
I
Courtesy Malverne School District
Somewhere over the . . . Students and staff at Davison Avenue Intermediate School, in the Malverne School District, turned a fence into a rainbow as part of their St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Above were fourth-graders Judge Dunson, left, and Matteo Gonzalez with Davison Avenue Principal Rachel Gross. Story, more photos, Page 11.
Getting back to normal?
Restaurants allowed to increase capacity to 75 percent By NAKeeM GRANt ngrant@liherald.com
Restaurants outside New York City were allowed to operate at 75 percent capacity starting last Friday, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. A year into the coronavirus pandemic, business owners are anxious to see things return to normal. Jerry Hughes, who owns Connolly Station in Malverne, said he managed to sustain business thanks to his outdoor patio, and
that residents’ support helped keep the restaurant open over the past year. “The village has been excellent,” Hughes said. “The residents of Malverne are great people, and they do come out to support us. If it’s not in-restaurant, it’s to-go food. Things slowed down when it got cold, but we’re hoping that this coming summer, things will open up again and we’ll be able to go back to normal.” Hughes also said that the Mal-
verne Chamber of Commerce’s effort to support servers who rely on tips helped to sustain his staff. Last April, the chamber launched a campaign in which it urged residents to purchase $5 tote bags, with the proceeds going to servers in the village. The village board’s initiative to highlight restaurants on Malverne TV, Hughes added, also helped to keep his business afloat. He said that the 75 percent Continued on page 12
f ever a school had a community worth serving, it is St. Thomas the Apostle for the past year.