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HERALD $1.00
Garden-picked veggies at eatery
Radio signal hits FM airwaves
Clavin discusses impact of Henri
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Vol. 32 No. 35
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
A final plea to go remote in District 13 By JUAN lASSo jlasso@liherald.com
Herald file photo
WHEElER AVENUE ElEMENTARy School is one of four K-6 schools in Valley Stream’s District 13. Some parents are seeking a remote-learning option for their children in the 2021-21 academic year.
With the start of the school year only days away, parent Marteena Morano-Singh circulated an online petition calling for Valley Stream School District 13 to provide students with a remote learning option. The petition was created in response to a letter issued by Superintendent Dr. Constance Evelyn on Aug. 16, notifying parents that the district would not provide remote learning at its three elementary schools. T h r e e d ay s a f t e r t h e announcement, Morano-Singh
posted the petition, which had 139 signatures as of Monday. The letter, sent by Evelyn, listed what health and learning practices would change, and which ones would stay the same: ■ Masks would be required indoors and on buses for everyone, but not outside. ■ Desk barriers would not be used. ■ No remote learning would be provided. The letter further affirmed Continued on page 12
Haiti’s death toll tops 2,100; community in mourning By RoBERT TRAVERSo rtraverso@liherald.com
Community members and local elected officials mourned the victims of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on Aug. 14 and called for the donation of funds and supplies to the island nation as it tries to recover from the devastation while facing a number of other political, social and economic challenges. As of Monday, the death toll had risen over 2,100, an additional 12,000 were injured and hundreds were still missing. Prime Minister Ariel Henry described the state of the coun-
try in dire terms: Haiti, he said, was “on its knees,” and the Haitian people were “physically and mentally devastated.” An estimated 600,000 Haitians were in need of emergency assistance, according to the government. Additionally, the United Nations Children’s Fund reported that about 500,000 Haitian children had limited or no access to shelter, safe water or food. “It’s a bit daunting,” said State Assemblywoman M i ch a e l l e S o l a g es, Valley Stream, the first state legislator of Haitian descent, in a statement the day after the earthquake. “Every time Haiti makes
one step forward, it’s pushed two steps back.” A secondary tremor on Aug. 18 drove many out of shelters and into the torrential rain of Tropical Storm Grace, which made landfall on Aug. 17, just three days after the temblor struck. Parts of the country were inundated with as much as 15 inches of rain, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The delivery of aid was delayed by the storm’s rain and heavy winds. Solages and her brother, Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages, a Democrat of Lawrence, encouraged constituents to donate funds and supplies to
local reputable organizations, but urged caution. “Right now it is hard to send supplies,” said Michaelle Solages, who represents parts of Elmont, which is home to many of the 26,000 people of Haitian descent who live on Long Island. She also noted that many Haitians were reticent about making donations after their experi-
ences in the wake of an earthquake that ravaged the country in 2010, when many donations did not reach victims. “You want your donations to count,” Solages said, “so it’s essential to do some research before giving to an organization or charity.” A donation drive that she Continued on page 15