SAFE Shares Findings With PTA

SAFE Inc., brought the latest data gathered from the Jan. 2012 Bach Harrison Prevention Needs Assessment Survey administered by the Glen Cove School District to students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 to assess the use of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and other drugs by Glen Cove youth at a recent PTA council meeting on April 16 at Glen Cove High School. Dr. Bernard Gorman, research psychologist, spoke to parents about these findings.

Gorman shared the following:

'Chainsaw Massacre'

Sessions of the Nassau County Legislature were marked by heated public comment and debate in the month of April as environmentalists, good-government advocates and concerned residents appeared before lawmakers, urging Legislative oversight for millions of dollars in county contracts awarded in the wake Superstorm Sandy. 

Starting with the April 8 public session of Nassau’s Rules Committee, the seven-member group that approves contracts, various people stepped forward to address the committee on Sandy-related contracts. 

Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove) had issued a statement before the meeting, calling for Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos to appear before the Legislature to discuss payments that Nassau County has already made on storm cleanup contracts, including about half of an approximately $70 million contract with Looks Great Services for debris management. 

Possible 18 Teachers Coached Students

As many as 18 teachers in the Glen Cove school district may have coached students to help them raise low test scores, district officials revealed last week as an inquiry into alleged improprieties in standardized testing intensifies in one of Long Island’s largest public education systems. 

Additionally, district officials said that in March, they were alerted to a separate allegation, against Glen Cove High School, regarding a grade change, in which two administrators may be implicated.

The Nassau County District Attorney’s office issued two subpoenas in mid-April seeking information on alleged grade changes by administrators in the 2012 Regents exam as well as on the alleged improper test coaching by teachers at the elementary schools.

Large Turnout At Tag Sale

The Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club’s Annual Club Closet Tag Sale, held this year on April 12, 13 and 14, was a great success, providing much needed additional funding for the many programs the club provides.  Bicycles, rugs, handbags, lamps and holiday decorations, all donated by members of the community, were among the many popular items that were for sale. This year, in partnership with the Worth Repeating consignment shop in Locust Valley, a new clothing boutique section was added as well.

Play Ball!

It's Baseball Season

The baseball season officially began on Saturday, April 13 in Glen Cove, when the Glen Cove Junior, Baseball and Softball- Rob Kormoski League paraded through town to John Maccarone Memorial Stadium, where opening day ceremonies were held.

This year, approximately 450 kids are participating in the program, and they held their team sponsor banners high as they marched through the streets on a brisk Saturday morning. 

Learning The Signs Of Bullying

SAFE, Inc. Parent University reaches parents at Connolly 

SAFE, Inc’s Glen Cove PRIDE Project Coalition is dedicated to eliminating alcohol and substance abuse in the Glen Cove Community. The Coalition’s Parent Committee developed a Parent University Series in response to a survey given during all ‘Open School Nights’ in the Glen Cove School District to determine parental interest, and in response to the January 2012 Bach Harrison Prevention Needs Assessment Survey provided by SAFE, Inc. and administered by the Glen cove School District to grades 6, 8, 10 and 12.

The latest SAFE, Inc. Parent University was led by Glen Cove Police Sgt. Christopher Ortiz, Ph.D. at Connolly Elementary School on March 19. His topic – “Bullying and the Legal Consequences,” offered explanations on why bullying is a problem for some children and ideas on how parents and caregivers can play a role in preventing bullying. 

Polish Home Celebrates 90 Years

The hall was filled to capacity, the band was playing a rousing polka and the aroma of golumpki and kielbasa filled the air on Saturday evening, April 13 when the Polish National Home of Glen Cove celebrated its 90th anniversary with a gala banquet that lasted long into the night.

The program officially opened with the world-renowned Oginski Male Choir singing the National Anthems of both Poland and the United States, followed by an invocation by Msgr. Richard P. Kopinski of St. Hyacinth R.C. Church.  Among the notable guests were the Hon. Mateusz Stasiek, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Poland and the Hon. Ralph V. Suozzi, Mayor of the City of Glen Cove.  Representing the Polish American Congress were Frank Milewski, President of the Downstate NY Division and Richard Brzozowski, President of the L.I. Division.  

Helping Others

Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club board member Nicholas Miller Berens, PhD, and founding director of Fit Learning, is committed to helping every student who walks through his doors – regardless of age, disability or challenges.  Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club members Brianna Cruz, Junior Youth of the Month for February and Aliyah Stone, Senior Youth of the Month for February, share Dr. Berens’ passion.  Both Brianna and Aliyah wish to follow in Dr. Berens’ footsteps by pursuing noble careers of helping others. 

Holocaust Afflicted Greek Jews

The tragedy that befell Jews living in Greece during World War II was poignantly told to about 600 people gathered at the Nassau County Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center in Glen Cove on April 7, Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos, museum director of Kehila Kedosha Janina in New York City, who gave an historical overview of the  story that has not been widely told, said that although the Jews of Greece have the distinction of being the longest Jewish presence in the European Diaspora, going back 2,300 years, they also have the unfortunate distinction of having the greatest percentage of Jews lost in any officially occupied country during WWII. 

Running For Nicholas

Nicholas Pedone 5K raises nearly $24,000

In an effort to raise money and awareness for 7-year-old Nicholas Pedone, who is battling a rare form of cancer, nearly 1,000 community members participated in a 5K Run/Walk on April 7, raising almost $24,000. The fundraiser was organized by Pedone’s cousin, Anthony Famiglietti, a 17-year-old senior at Glen Cove High School.