Williston Park 2022_03_04

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Serving Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola, Albertson and Searingtown

$1.50

Friday, March 4, 2022

Vol. 71, No. 9

HOME & DESIGN

GILLEN RUNS FOR RICE’S SEAT

GOP PICKS ZELDIN FOR GOVERNOR

PAGES 25-40

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Masks optional in North Shore school districts

CINDERELLA SENDOFF

Mandate lifted Wednesday, officials urge students to respect others’ choices BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z School districts across the North Shore made masks optional starting Wednesday. District officials sent out statements following Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement on Sunday that the mandate requiring protective face coverings to be worn inside would be lifted Wednesday. Officials from various districts discussed the extensive input they have received from the community and emphasized that students should be respectful of others’ decisions. “While some individuals will be happy to remove their face masks, others will want to continue wearing them,” Great Neck Superintendent Teresa Prendergast said in a letter to the community. “Regardless of an individual’s choice about masks, please continue to show one another the same level of compassion and respect that our school community has demon-

strated since the beginning of this pandemic two years ago.” “We encourage families to discuss with their children their expectations regarding mask wearing with the understanding that other students, teachers, staff members or administrators may choose differently,” Manhasset’s acting superintendent, Gaurav Passi, said. “Bullying, shaming, or questioning an individual’s decision to wear or not wear a mask will not be tolerated.” “This spring, we look forward to celebrating with live concerts, school events, live parent teacher conferences (a separate letter on this topic will follow later this week), and other aspects of the school year that have been necessarily put on hold by COVID,” North Shore school district’s interim superintendent, Tom Dolan, said. “In doing so, we might have an increased appreciation for them as they had been so recently taken away.” Continued on Page 50

PHOTO COURTESY OF MINEOLA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Mineola Mustang Marching Band at a recent trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, where it performed.

O’Connell leads Wheatley, follows family tradition BY M I C H A E L J . LEWIS Growing up in Nassau County, the Wheatley School’s Jimmy O’Connell didn’t have to look far to see what athletic

greatness looked like. Everywhere he peeked inside his own family, there was sports excellence. His aunt Tara was a star softball player for St. John’s. His cousin Alexandra was a standout Division I bas-

ketball player for Lafayette College. His Dad, Jamie, hooped at Central Connecticut State, instilling the love of the hardwood in Jimmy. And closer to his own age, Continued on Page 51

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