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BaBylon _______________
HERALD BEaCon
Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
FSD holds music concert
Obituary: Sister Shamus Dwyer
Richberg named minority leader
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VOL. 75-NO. 9
FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 5, 2025
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Grade School principal expands help for students Fretto said, means the school focuses on four areas: empowBabylon Memorial Grade ering student achievement, School is growing this school fostering a safe and supportyear under the district theme, ive learning environment, enTogether We Rise, introduc- hancing communication and ing programs and support that community engagement, and build a strong community for ensuring fiscal responsibility and financial health. students, faculty, and staff. To that end, the That’s the messchool uses assesssage Babylon ment data to make Memorial Grade informed decisions School Principal about instrucLauren Fretto tion. BMGS has rebrought to the Babstored the full-time ylon School Board reading teacher this month, saying position and the the students have full-time school been her inspiracounselor position, tion. both of which were “Thank you so cut in recent years. much for sharing Monthly profesyour children with sional development us each and every sessions now focus day. The children on classroom manare why we do what agement, differenwe do,” said Fretto. tiation, and other “To see their smiltopics. And Fretto ing faces, to watch continues to build them engage in the school’s shared hands-on learning decision-making activities, to watch team, which inthem become and CARISA MANZA cludes faculty, develop into inde- Babylon staff, and parents. pendent thinker- Superintendent She has also siand readers and of Schools created a crisis inwriters is truly tervention team— amazing. Every of administradecision that we make, every comprised conversation and interaction tion, members of the school’s that we have throughout the mental health team, teachers, day is because of our students. nurse and security staff—beWe keep them at the heart of cause “any student can be in a crisis at any moment,” Fretto all of our decision-making.” Keeping students in mind said. She noted that the team while following district goals, members have been trained
By ALENA BERENBLATT
Correspondent
Christie Babirad/Herald
Board Members Carolyn Romaine and Gilda Gricka with Historian Wayne Horsley and his wife Barbara who tallied the film votes from the Village of Babylon Academy.
The Oscar Party wins all in Babylon By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
It was a chilly but magical night as guests, dressed for a glamorous evening, walked the red carpet at the Historical Society for its inaugural 1950s-themed Oscar Party on Saturday, Feb. 8. The event, organized by the society and trustee-curator Marsha Collock, featured tables draped in red cloths, gold-starred table weights, and mini-Oscars. “I’m totally excited,” said attendee Cindy McBarnette. “It’s fun and breaks up the winter.” “I love the movies, especially the old movies,” said Laura Conroy, with her friend Peggy Van Tassel adding, “What’s not to like about Oscar night?” Pat Chiodo attended to see what the event was all about and praised the Historical Society for hosting “nice events.” The event spared no detail, with movieslate napkins, a large charcuterie spread, and wine for guests. Collock explained that attendees, acting as the “Academy,” would vote on the 1950 Academy Awards nominees they thought had won. “The Historical Society has really allowed me to do programs on topics I’m passionate about,” Collock said, recalling how the idea for the event came from a casual
discussion about the Oscars. “I can’t believe how lovely everything came together.” Judy Skillen, president of the Historical Society, said, “We’re really excited to bring a whole new dimension to what we can do.” Moting the community’s strong participation. she added, “It encourages us to plan more events like this one.” For the Oscars party, Collock compiled clips from the 1950 nominees for Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Motion Picture. “You are the members of the Academy tonight,” Collock said. “We can’t change history, but we can rewrite it tonight.” After each set of clips, shown from a projector at the front of the room, the audience marked their ballots for the films they believed won. Board members tallied votes, and the crowd cheered as many correctly guessed the actual winners. Collock then showed clips of the original winner announcements and hosted 1950s-themed trivia, including the top three songs of 1950. “We’re looking to widen our scope with this event while also incorporating history,” said Historical Society Historian Wayne Horsley. To cap off the glamorous evening, atCONTINUED ON PAGE 4
W
hen I walk into the Grade School, and I know that you are only serving in that role for a little over a year, I see your footprint. I feel the impact of your leadership.
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