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Another year of Desirae’s Darlings
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Looking to the future of education
i n cl u d i n g f ive f ro m L o n g Island. Bellmore superintendent Joe Two South Shore school dis- Famularo said that being a tricts were recently accepted member of the league will give into the League of Innovative his district the chance to conSchools, in which they will tinually improve its educationhave a chance to collaborate al offerings. “It’s just very with districts exciting to be part across the country of this group, to and further new share innovative educational opporideas that are haptunities. pening all over The league is a the country,” he national network said. “It’s really of school districts the cutting edge that connects and of education.” supports the most “We’re hoping forward-thinking to lear n from leaders in educaother places and tion. It is orgasee some of the nized by Digital innovative things Promise, a global going on in the nonprofit that country,” Wantworks with educaagh Superintentors, researchers JoE FAmulARo dent John McNaand communities Superintendent, mara said, “and, to design innova- Bellmore School District of those things, tive educational what would be a programs. good fit for the The Bellmore and Wantagh students at Wantagh.” school districts were officially The Bellmore and Wantagh welcomed into the league at its districts were selected from a fall convening, hosted by the national pool of applicants for Lindsay Unified School District the league based on educational in Lindsay, California, Sept. leadership, innovative learning 30-Oct. 2. There are more than practices, achievements and 150 districts in the league,
By CHARlES SHAW
cshaw@liherald.com
I
Jordan Vallone/Herald
The North Bellmore Public Library has a new Sensory Nook Pod, which is a certified autism resource promoting a calming environment for children with special needs. Library staff and elected officials celebrated its arrival with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 1.
Sensory Nook Pod debuts at the North Bellmore Public Library By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
The North Bellmore Public Library is now home to a Sensory Nook Pod — a certified autism resource for children of all ages with special education needs and disabilities. The new nook, installed in the children’s wing of the library, was made possible through a community revitalization project grant, which was supported by Nassau County Legislator Michael Giangregorio, who represents parts of Merrick and Bellmore. The nook is International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards-certified for those with autism. Planning for the Sensory Nook Pod began about three years ago, Jessica Tymecki, the
library’s director, told the Herald. At that time, Legislator Tom McKevitt represented the area encompassing the library, at 1551 Newbridge Road. Following the 2023 elections, new district lines were drawn, and the library fell under Giangregorio’s jurisdiction. “I had a meeting with the company to get an idea of the specs, if it would work for us, because it’s an international company,” Tymecki said of the Sensory Nook Pod. “We reached out to Legislator McKevitt at the time — he thought it was a great project.” McKevitt brought Giangregorio into the game early, she said, because Giangregorio’s son has special needs, and helping the autism community is a big part of his legislative goals. “It was a team effort from the very beginCONTiNued ON Page 5
t’s just very exciting to be part of this group, to share innovative ideas that are happening all over the country. It’s really the cutting edge of education.
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