Friday, September 29, 2023
Vol. 83, No. 38
$1
SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
40th OYSTER FESTIVAL
Renowned book author visits middle schools BY GARY SIMEONE
Officials from the Town of Oyster Bay met with organizers of the 40th Oyster Festival to sample some oysters and announce the return of the festival. Supervisor Saladino, together with Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, Town Clerk Rich LaMarca and Receiver Jeff Pravato; Oyster Festival Co-Producer Harlan Friedman, Oyster Bay/East Norwich Rotary President Monica Rubin and Las Vegas Sands Representative former Governor David Patterson, made the announcement along the waterfront with the help of a friendly pirate.
It was a real book fiesta at both Salk and Wisdom Lane Middle School's last Wednesday, September, 20th. Renowned children’s book author, John (Schu) Schumacher, visited both of the school’s to engage students in his ‘Gift of Story’ program. Dr Kerin Slattery, Director of ELA/Library Services in the school district, said that that the sixth grade students were treated to Schu’s solo show, which included a demonstrative display of talking about his love of books. “He brings this suitcase full of books and he’s so passionate and energetic about getting the students involved and excited about the prospect of reading. He shares his background in reading to them, jumps around and is so good about gathering audience participation. It’s really
quite a sight to behold.” Schu’s appearance coincided with the districts #booklove initiative, which encourages students to choose books that pique their own interests. “Sixth grade is a tough transition for a lot of students and it seems to be a time where reading and books get placed on the back-burner,” said Slattery. “This initiative helps them to gain their interest back and search for books that they’d be interested in and enjoy reading.” Some of the books included in the authors suitcase included his own works and books that inspired him to become a reader at a younger age. Schumacher is the author of ‘This Is a Story’ and ‘This Is a School,’ which are books that salute the library system and the school community. Slattery said that one book he focused on was ‘The One and Only See page 9
“Put Bullying on Ice”
In recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month, the Town of Oyster Bay will be holding a “Put Bullying on Ice” Awareness Day. The event will take place at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center in Bethpage on
Saturday, October 7, from 2:45 p.m. — 5:45 p.m.p during the public skate session. Free admission and skate rentals are offered for all students and families who reside in the Town of Oyster Bay. The concessionaire at the Ice Skating Center will
offer a 25% discount for all purchases. Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “The Town of Oyster Bay is proud to raise awareness and enhance dialogue among children about the danSee page 9
The Bethpage Newsgram is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68. Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Bethpage Newsgram, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris Publisher
Sixth graders at Jonas E. Salk Middle School with their books.
Dance studio celebrates 25th anniv. PAGE 3 Dutch Lane kicks off year with pep rally PAGE 6