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VOL. 129 NO. 41
Lindenhurst resident is TOPS Page 8
OCTOBER 10-16, 2024
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Fountain fundraiser is a huge succes Page 3
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Babylon schools address district’s safety protocols By ALENA BERENBLATT
Photo Credit/Herald
Claire and Chloe Maebara of Babylon Village are shown holding proclamations from the Babylon Town Board for their efforts in helping to raise money for the St. Joseph’s Church Food Pantry.
Sisters honored by Village for working to raise money to fund local food pantry Will continue with tradition next year, they said By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com Claire and Chloe Maebara were recognized at the Village of Babylon Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 24 for raising over $500 for St. Joseph’s Church Food Pantry through their lemonade stand this past August. The girls’ parents are Anca Radoi and Marcel Maebara. Claire is 8 years old and attends Babylon Grade School, and her younger sister Chole is 5 and is in Kindergarten at Babylon Elementary. The girls stood up at the meeting and spoke about their their work indicating they wanted to continue their efforts next year. Board of Trustees members
read and presented each of the girls with a proclamation for their hard work. “They did a great job, and we are so proud to have them a part of our Village,” said Mayor Mary Adams. At the meeting, the sisters spoke to the board and attendees about their initiative. Board members presented each girl with a proclamation certificate for their efforts. While celebrating the girls’ achievement, the board also held a moment of silence for Riley Goot of Babylon, who was killed in an automobile accident West Babylon. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Correspondent The recent mass school shooting in Georgia by a student gunman, which left four dead, prompted a discussion at the Babylon Board of Education meeting on September 9, highlighting national concerns about school violence. “Our thoughts are with those affected. Events like this remind us of our commitment to a safe learning environment,” said Babylon Superintendent Carisa Manza. “Students can’t learn if they don’t feel safe.” Manza emphasized that safety is a priority in Babylon Schools, noting the experienced security team and collaboration with the Suffolk County Police Department. “We review our safety protocols monthly and encourage the community to report any concerning behaviors,” she said. District Director of Technology David Dileo discussed recent updates to security technology, including an early warning system installed at the Elementary School. The system features color-coded digital displays to indicate emergencies, such as “lockdown” in blue and “fire alarm” in red. Dileo is awaiting news on a $500,000 grant that would expand these systems to the
B ab y l on M em o ri a l G r ad e School and the Junior/Senior High School. If awarded, the project would also need a $386,000 capital reserve commitment. “If we don’t receive the grant, we may pursue a bond to support the project, which could cost between $1.5 million and $2 million,” he said. Statistics from various sources shows that there were 346 school shootings nationwide since 2023. In New York State there were 51 school shootings in 2023 and 95 in 2024 to date. New York is the fourth most populous state and ranks eighth in school schools nationwide. During the visitor comment period, a parent inquired about the possibility of armed security guards in schools. Manza responded that the board has discussed this issue and is assessing community interest. “Safety comes at a price, and we will look into the costs associated with this option,” she said. Manza indicated that this school year would be used for investigation and assessment. By next fall, if this becomes a priority, the district will share findings with the community. District attorney Anthony Fasano outlined three-armed security options: a school resource officer, a school safety CONTINUED ON PAGE 2