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Kennedy senior named Regeneron science scholar “I’ve always been interested in weather and how global factors affect what happens here,” Cole Stern, a senior at John Stern said. “With global warmF. Kennedy High School in Bell- ing, changes in ocean and air t e m p e r at u re s a re m a k i n g more, has been named one of 300 scholars nationwide in the extreme weather more likely, prestigious Regeneron Science and I wanted to understand Talent Search competition, why.” The research was conducted ear ning recognition for his through the disresearch on trict’s Advanced extreme weather Science Research and climate-driven Program under the flooding. guidance of Barbi The honor was Frank, the proannounced on Jan. gram’s director and 7, placing Stern, 17, Ster n’s research among the top high teacher, along with school researchers support from a proi n t h e c o u n t r y. fessional mentor at Scholars are selectthe National Hurried based on the cane Center. Stern rigor and originali- ColE STERN spent nearly two ty of t h e i r Senior, John F. research, scientific Kennedy High School, y e a r s l e a r n i n g advanced computer potential and quali- Regeneron scholar coding and running ty of their written simulations using work. Stern’s project took a deep the Weather Research and Foredive into Tropical Storm Ophe- casting model. “A n y p r o j e c t i nvo l v i n g lia, the Sept. 29, 2023, tri-state flooding event that brought weather requires extensive codrecord rainfall to Long Island ing,” Stern said. “I spent most and surrounding areas. Using of 2024 learning Python, and advanced atmospheric model- then hundreds of hours runing, Stern analyzed how unusu- ning and interpreting simulaally warm ocean temperatures tions. It was a lot of work, but I contributed to the intensity of Continued on page 15 the storm.
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
A
Courtesy Bellmore School Distirct
Bellmore teacher saves child Alessia Hoffman, middle, saved the life of a 7-year-old student who was choking on a gummy treat at Chales Reinhard Early Childhood Center on Jan. 6. Story, Page 19.
Bellmore-Merrick school district under federal Title IX investigation By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is among 18 educational entities nationwide under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights following complaints alleging violations of Title IX, federal officials announced this week. According to the Department of Education, the investigations stem from complaints asserting that certain school districts, colleges and state education agencies have adopted policies allowing students to participate in athletic pro-
grams based on gender identity rather than biological sex. The complaints allege that such policies discriminate on the basis of sex and may limit equal opportunities for female athletes. The Herald reached out to the Office for Civil Rights seeking clarification on the nature of the allegations, and was informed that the complaint involving Bellmore-Merrick allegedly centers on the district allowing a male student to try out for a girls’ volleyball team. Federal officials did not confirm additional details or comment further on the allegation. In a statement provided to the Herald, the Continued on page 13
ny project involving weather requires extensive coding.