Rockville Centre
HERALD
COMMUNITY UPDATE Infections as of Dec. 14
848
Infections as of Dec. 7 760
Village opens pickleball court
Resident scores in baking contest
Local man turns 101
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DECEMBER 17- 23, 2020
VOL. 31 NO. 51
Schools see Covid uptick District urges families to take precautions over winter break together that contains tips for recognizing symptoms of Covid19, reporting them and finding As the number of positive ways to stay mentally and physiCovid-19 cases continues to rise cally healthy. in the community, the Rockville He emphasized that even Centre School District is taking minor symptoms could be signs proactive measures to help keep of the virus. “I would ask people schools open to be mindful of throughout the winthose things, report ter. For two days them to our nurse, next week, before have a conversation the start of winter with us,” Chang break, schools will said. “We want to operate on a fully make sure that we’re remote schedule to keeping you safe, minimize the risk of and we’re also keepexposure, and dising the rest of the trict officials are student body as well urging students, as the staff safe.” staff and families to JUNE CHANG He noted that the take extra precau- Superintendent district had succeedtions while off camed in keeping buildpus. ings open thus far, “We’re asking everyone to be but, he added, “We want to be as responsible as possible, inside prepared for anything that could and outside the schools,” Super- potentially happen once we intendent June Chang said. “I’m return from the break.” asking everyone to take every “We want to keep our schools precaution necessary. We as a open,” Chang emphasized. “That school district want to remain is our ultimate goal.” open.” The number of positive cases At the Dec. 10 Board of Edu- at all of the schools has contincation meeting, Chang detailed a ued to rise each week, but none “winter survival guide” he put CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
BY JILL NOSSA
jnossa@liherald.com
Courtesy Village of Rockville Centre
Talk about holiday spirit The village came up with a creative way to celebrate the holidays this year in a festive, socially distanced way. Last Sunday, it held the first “RVC Holiday Lights Night,” a communitywide decorating contest. More than 80 homes participated, and more than 3,000 residents cast votes for their favorite displays in five categories: Most Popular, Martha Stewart, Clark Griswold, Party of Lights and Family Friendly. This house, at 19 Argyle Place, took the Family Friendly prize. Story, more photos, Page 3.
RVC resident brings joy as Santa Even amid a pandemic, he continues deliveries BY TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Not much in 2020 can qualify as normal or routine, but the Association of Children with Down Syndrome’s very own Santa Claus refused to let Covid19 disrupt his favorite time of the year. Longtime Rockville Centre resident Barry Shimkin has brought joy to hundreds of chil-
dren for the past 26 years by donning his red suit (he’s on suit No. 3), fluffy white beard and a bag full of presents to share with ACDS students with disabilities. This year, pandemic restrictions nearly put an end to visits from Santa. But Shimkin would not be deterred. Working in conjunction with the ACDS Parent Teacher Organization, last weekend he decided to hop in his sleigh — in this case, the custom
vehicle ACDS utilizes to bring students to its Early Intervention clinic — put on a festive protective mask and bring holiday cheer to kids all over Nassau County and parts of Suffolk County in lieu of their usual visits to ACDS headquarters in Plainview. “It’s been the best day of the year for me since I started playing Santa,” Shimkin said. “SeeCONTINUED ON PAGE 8
W
e want to keep our schools open. That is our ultimate goal.