Lynbrook/East Rockaway
HERALD Also serving Bay Park
Villages vow never to forget
A High Holy Days message
low attendance for in-person worship
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Vol. 27 No. 38
SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2020
$1.00
Local woman publishes debut book of poetry motherhood, the arts and ambition, and speaks to the potential of relationships to hurt and Shakira Croce said that as far heal. The poems offer intimate back as she could remember, she glimpses into their author’s life. wanted to write poetry. Croce grew up in Georgia, “My mom said she always moved to New York to study remembered me with something writing at Sarah Lawrence Colin my hand, writing . . .,” Croce lege in Yonkers and eventually recalled. “I think it earned a master’s was just something at Pace University. that I always wantShe lives in Lyned to do, just a way brook with her of expression. I husband, Shawn t h i n k eve r yo n e Lovatal, and their kind of has a grav1 - ye a r- o l d s o n , itation, and for me, Julian Croce it was to explore Lovatl. creatively.” In addition to Croce, 33, poetry and creative recently fulfilled writing, Croce her dream when works in Manhather debut book of tan as the assistant SHAkiRA CRoCE poems, “Leave It director of comRaw,” was pub- Lynbrook poet and munications and lished by Finish- writer public relations at ing Line Press. The Amida Care, New book features 24 York’s largest nonpoems that the Lynbrook resi- profit Medicaid special-needs dent has written over the past health plan. She writes articles eight years, chronicling her sin- for the company’s website and gle life, in her mid-20s, to mar- advocates for people who do not riage and motherhood, in her have access to health care, early 30s. Her writing features including those dealing with sharp imagery and stories from extreme poverty and mental her life that have stuck with her. health and substance abuse The poetry explores the nuances of sexuality, marriage, Continued on page 11
By MikE SMolliNS msmollins@liherald.com
i
Courtesy East Rockaway School District
STuDENTS AND STAff returned to school last week in Lynbrook and East Rockaway. Students at Centre Avenue Elementary School were clearly excited to go back.
‘We do not know what lies ahead’
Uncertain school years begin in Lynbrook, E.R. By MikE SMolliNS msmollins@liherald.com
In what was a very different return to school than past years amid the coronavirus pandemic, students and staff in Lynbrook and East Rockaway attended school in person on Sept. 8 for the first time in six months, wearing masks and keeping their distance from one another. How the school year will play out is an open question, as health guidelines continue
to change and fear of a second wave of the virus remains. “We do not know what lies ahead, but we do realize our operations could change often, and those changes could be sudden,” Lynbrook Superintendent Dr. Melissa Burak said in a statement. “We need to continue our efforts to social distance and wear masks to protect each other and stay in school as long as possible. However, when we are forced to make a change, we will be flexible
and do so and ask families to be just as flexible. Covid-19 has made us strong partners with a mission to keep everyone healthy and safe.” In the Lynbrook School District, students returned with half days on Sept. 8 and 9 to acclimate to the many changes. The first full day was Sept. 10 as the district began new instructional models and methods. Elementary school students are either enrolled in gold (in-person) or Continued on page 4
think there’s still a need for more women’s voices, not just in literature, but all around.