_____________ ROCKVILLE CENTRE ____________
HERALD Vol. 36 No. 5
Performing civic service
Village honors a historical legacy
Page 3
Page 11
JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 5, 2025
$1.00
Statewide smartphone ban in schools trict, said in a statement to the Herald. “This has been a policy that fits the needs of our comGov. Kathy Hochul recently munity, and we hope that the announced a proposal aimed at final proposal allows districts restricting smartphone use in the latitude to engage parents New York’s public schools to and students in conversation to “ensure distraction-free learn- guide policy development rathing statewide,” according to a er than a one size fits all approach.” news release. Standing alongThe plan would side educators, stuprohibit the use of dents, law enforcesmartphones and ment officers and other inter netsocial justice advoe n a b l e d d ev i c e s cates, the governor during the entire announced the inischool day, includtiative on Jan. 22. It ing in classrooms, comes after a yearlunch periods and long statewide liss t u dy h a l l s, t h e t e n i n g t o u r, o n release said. which parents, Schools would MATT GAVEN teachers and stuhave the flexibility Superintendent, dents shared with to create their own Rockville Centre Hochul their growstrategies for man- school district ing concerns about aging phone storsmartphone disage, with the state offering $13.5 million in fund- tractions in schools. “We know that our young ing for schools to purchase storage systems, like pouches or people succeed when they’re lear ning and g rowing, not cubbies. “We are well positioned in clicking and scrolling,” the govour district because our policy ernor said in the release. “This for cell phones has always been proposal will ensure that our ‘Off and Away’ at both the High schools have the tools they need School and Middle School,” to create distraction-free spaces where students can focus on Matt Gaven, superintendent of the Rockville Centre school disContinued on page 7
By KElSIE RADZISKI
kradziski@liherald.com
Maureen Lennon/Herald
Celebrating Dr. King’s legacy Ethan Brooks, Stella Jones and Hia Dalta joined the Literacy Care Packages Workshops to make alphabet cards at Molloy University’s MLK Day ceremony. Story, more photos Page 10.
Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce members reinducted By KElSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
At the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting, the members of the executive board and the board of directors were reinducted. The executive board includes President Ed Asip, Vice President Donna Einemann, Secretary Carol O’Leary and Treasurer Tom Bogue. Mayor Francis Murray swore in the members on Jan. 22, and voiced the village’s support for the organization. “We are pro-chamber, our board, and I hope you see that,” Murray said. “Ed and I have lots of meetings together, and I think Ed’s doing a great job.” At the meeting, at MacArthur Park restaurant, Asip recapped the organization’s achievements over the past year while looking ahead to its goals for this year. “I want to get you energized,” he told the members, “because 2025 is going to be a big deal.”
Among the chamber’s accomplishments in 2024 were many firsts that it hopes to continue. The first village Restaurant Week was held last year, as well as the first Art Walk, showcasing local art. The Art Walk, Asip said, led to discussions of a potential street fair in the Long Beach Road area. There was also the chamber’s first June Fest, which Asip said was a hit. “What June Fest was important for is we leveraged other events going on in the village,” he said. “We leveraged the village car show, we leveraged the Odd Fellows corn hole tournament, and that’s what we seek to do.” Asip underscored the chamber’s goal of helping businesses stay connected to the community, so they can get involved in ongoing events and offer special promotions and creating unique experiences. As part of its growing partnerships, the chamber is expanding its collaboration with Molloy University. “We’re reintroducing, expanding the ‘communiversity’ program,” Asip said at the Continued on page 12
T
his has been a policy that fits the needs of our community.