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Friday, November 8, 2024
Vol. 84, No. 45
State provides funds for new dog park
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Syosset schools begin task of finding new mascot BY RIKKI MASSAND
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and New York State Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz with check for $100,000 to construct new dog park. New York State will provide funds for a new dog park to be installed in Stillwell Park in Syosset. The Town of Oyster Bay is expected to take title for the property from the state soon. During a recent ceremony, New York State Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz joined with Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Syosset High School Dog Res-
cue Club to announce that he has secured $100,000 in state funds for the Town of Oyster Bay to construct a new dog park at Stillwell Park. This grant will enable the community to provide a safe, clean, and fun environment for dogs and their owners, fostering a vibrant space for socialization and recreation. Assemblyman Blumencranz stated, “I’m proud to secure
these funds for the design and construction of a new dog park in Syosset. This project will enhance the overall experience at Stillwell Park by adding designated areas for large and small dogs, ensuring an enjoyable experience for pets and their owners alike.” “We are thrilled to receive these grant funds from Assemblyman Blumencranz, See page 8
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At the Syosset Central School District board meeting on November 4, Superintendent Dr. Thomas Rogers addressed the upcoming selection process for a new mascot, logo, and team name to replace the retired “Braves.” The change is in compliance with an April 2023 directive from the New York State Board of Regents, requiring all districts to cease using Indigenous mascots, logos, and team names by the end of this school year. Dr. Rogers outlined a “community-driven process” for selecting the new mascot, emphasizing that while there is no state mandate to adopt a new mascot by spring 2025, it would be beneficial to choose one before making any permanent changes to school properties. “Obviously that would make for an advantage if we can switch to a new mascot and that way, only make changes to our facilities once. We contemplate a process that works through the fall and winter and to assemble a committee that will essentially have two functions. The committee would come up with a set of ideas for what will constitute a mascot that reflects val-
ues of the community and which would possibly keep a logistical advantage – such as a mascot or logo being easy to recognize and not being consistent with another district’s mascot/logo/name. In previous meetings I have presented lists of things other districts have used to select a new name, but we would want the committee of our own residents to make these decisions for us and to lead the process for which members of our community can provide input,” Dr. Rogers explained. The superintendent appointed Scott Stueber, Director of Physical Education, Athletics, and Recreation, and David Steinberg, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, to lead the initiative. Over the next few months, the district will assemble a committee with two primary goals: to recommend mascot ideas that reflect community values and to avoid duplicating mascots from other districts. Superintendent Rogers noted that Sewanhaka High School, at the time it took on the same task Syosset is doing, specifically kept the number unlimited for the amount of community members who could be part of the committee. When asked about See page 8
POB board sets vote on bond issue PAGE 3 Horror House contest winners PAGE 10