Valley Stream
CoMMuNiTy uPDATE infections as of Dec. 7
2,842
infections as of Nov. 30 2,666
HERALD
LOOk iNSide
Holiday Wrapping Paper Contest drawn by our young readers
Third year for tree sale fundraiser
Kindergartners learn fire safety
Super ‘sorry’ after alleged gym spat
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DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020
Vol. 31 No. 50
Seeking more pandemic help CHSD teachers ask for additional remote teaching options and Board of Education, Cruz said he was writing on behalf of Central and Memorial Junior At least a handful of Valley High School parents, students Stream teachers are and teachers who asking for additional “wish to voice oppoCovid-19 accommosition to the disdations from the trict’s current poliCentral High School cies as it relates to District, including teacher accommodaan exception for the tions vis-à-vis the use of paid sick Covid-19 pandemic.” leave days while The letter had been awaiting coronavico-signed by 146 peorus test results and ple as of press time the ability to teach Tuesday, including remotely while self12 Central, South isolating. and Memorial In a letter of sup- ANTHoNy CRuz Junior High School port distributed on Central High School faculty members. Saturday by Antho- class of 2019 The additional ny Cruz, vice presirequested accommodent of publicity dations outlined in and communications for the the letter include: Central-Memorial PTSA, and addressed to the Central High ■ The ability of all teachers, School District administration Continued on page 11
By PETER BElfioRE pbelfiore@liherald.com
f
rom a teacher’s perspective, it’s them wanting to teach their students.
Peter Belfiore/Herald
A little rain can’t stop a visit from Santa Siblings Marajade, 9, and Logan, 6, waved from atop their mother’s car at the Hendrickson Park pool parking lot last Friday, when Santa Claus came to visit. Story, more photos, Page 3.
‘Educate, empower and advocate’ V.S. psychologist offers help through his talk show By NiColE AlCiNDoR nalcindor@liherald.com
When Valley Streamer Steve Vaccaro reflects on his adolescent years, he remembers feeling sad and lonely as he was transferred in and out of four foster homes and two shelters after his father abandoned him and his mother was too sick with multiple sclerosis to care for him. Because of the transitory nature of his childhood, said
Vaccaro, now 56, he never for med lasting friendships. Despite all this, he is now using his experiences to help others through their own hardships. Vaccaro is a psychologist with his own nonprofit, Chapters Community Support Services. He is also a host of nearly a dozen cable TV shows. In one, “Chapters Rap,” he encourages people to share their past and present struggles and journeys to help them heal by giving them
the chance to talk about their trauma while an audience provides feedback. “I always had a natural passion for helping and giving back, so I started my show ‘Chapters Rap’ to educate, empower and advocate for families going through transitions,” Vaccaro said. “I’ve had a long career of supporting and educating people, and with that knowledge, my Continued on page 15
Our COvid-19 traCker With the Covid-19 test positivity rate rising across the country, the Herald is adding a weekly coronavirus tracker to the upper-left corner of our front page to help you gauge what’s happening in your area from week to week. the number is an aggregate of the communities that this newspaper covers. data is obtained from the nassau County Covid-19 dashboard, which provides the total number of cases reported in an area since the start of the pandemic, and is updated regularly.