_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
HERALD Also serving Lakeview
Small business Saturday upsells
Thanksgiving lunch feeds kids
Tucker hosts turkey drive
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Vol. 31 No. 50
DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2024
$1.00
Giving back to the families of Lakeview throughout the community. A lot of times people don’t have, so if you just provide, they With the holiday season’s don’t have to ask. That way you ar rival, Lakeview resident take pride out of it.” This year’s turkey drive took Chris Tucker recognizes the importance of giving back, place at Harold Walker Memoemphasizing these charitable rial Park, form 3 – 6 p.m., on acts with his annual drives and Nov. 24. The location is a staple donations of turfor this event due to keys, clothes, toys its accessibility. and more to his Tucker and his community yearfriend, Michael round. Walker, got togethTucker’s annual er to form the Famturkey drive this ily Love Foundayear took place at tion, a nonprofit H a r o l d Wa l k e r designed to make a M e m o r i a l P a rk , difference in their from 3 to 6 p.m., on neighborhood. The Nov. 24. The locafoundation is based tion is a staple for in Lakeview and this event due to its they offer food and accessibility. The clothing to people. drive helped feed 35 They are working families this year, a ChRiS TuCkER, to put together pubs l i g h t i n c r e a s e Family Love lic health clinics in from 30 during last Foundation 2025. year’s event. Though they “ We w a n t t o have a full staff at make things easier for people,” the Family Love Foundation, Tucker said. “We provide food the turkey drive is done on and clothes. We have a softball Tucker’s own accord — it’s one game each spring to bring peo- of his personal g rassroots ple together every year. Food endeavors that will get done and entry to the game is always with or without helping hands. free. The softball teams sell jerThe Family Love Foundation seys, which can amount to has been around for at least a about $1,000 to be distributed CoNtiNued oN page 10
By TAYloR GRAYSoN
tgrayson@liherald.com
A
Herald file photo
Students in New York will soon have the option to take fewer Regents exams and choose alternative pathways to graduation.
H.S. Regents requirement revised
New graduation policy will go into effect as soon as 2027 By TAYloR GRAYSoN tgrayson@liherald.com
The New York state Regents exams are a longstanding common-core assessment. For many years, passing five of the exams, ranging from English to algebra, was a requirement for graduating from high school. New York stood out from many states in requiring these exams. But changes in educational philosophy have many people, including students, their families and educators, questioning the validity of the tests and seeking alternative pathways to graduation to accommodate all students. A new state policy on Regents requirements for graduation will go into effect in fall 2027, and take two years to fully phase in. “The Regents exams are not being dropped,” Molly Gegerson, humanities director of West Hempstead Secondary School, said. “To
my understanding, students can choose to take three Regents exams, or choose another path to graduation.” The change will bring about new options for students who are interested in trades, are more artistically than academically oriented, or are not good testers. The new policy will offer a broader way to accommodate and differentiate curriculum for all types of students, including those with special needs. According to a Blue Ribbon Commission’s 2023 report on graduation measures, “The intent of this initiative was never to lower standards; to the contrary, it focused on placing all New York State students on a success trajectory by providing them access to the necessary opportunities and support they need.” Malverne Board of Education President Jeanne D’Esposito highlighted the imporCoNtiNued oN page 2
lot of times people don’t have so if you just provide, they don’t have to ask. That way you take pride out of it.