Rockville Centre
HERALD RVC services get county funding
Sandel program engages seniors
H.S. football camps delayed
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VOL. 31 NO. 32
AUGUST 6 - 12, 2020
$1.00
OBITUARY
Conor Semple mourned by family, friends According to Ryan, who lived with his older brother in Manhattan for the past year, not only Conor Semple was known did Conor enjoy getting his among friends and family as friends together, but he also had someone who brought people a large group of people who together. A lover of sports and cared about him deeply. large gatherings, “To this day, I the 2011 South have never seen a Side High School group of friends graduate regularly that created a holiorganized some d ay fo r t h e i r kind of social friend,” Ryan said, event. Last month, “let alone one that those friends and lasts nine days.” family came The “holiday” together to celestarted on July 5, brate the life of 2016, and was Semple, who died called Honor unexpectedly on Conor. According July 19, at age 27. Courtesy Mary Ellen Semple to longtime friend “One of M i c h a e l CONOR SEMPLE WAS a Conor’s biggest sports broadcaster while Kolonkowski, it strengths and pas- attending graduate school grew out of a longsions was organiz- at Temple University. ing to extend the ing events and July Fourth celegathering people bration, and together,” his brother, Ryan, 25, caught on. Every year, friends said. “Whether it was the Semple prioritized meeting up over the Football League, the town bas- course of a week, either at the ketball tournament or the annu- beach or at bars, simply to enjoy al Christmas grab bag, he always the summer. The celebration cullooked forward to arranging the minated with a get-together at next event with his friends, fami- the Drift in Hampton Bays, ly and loved ones.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
By JILL NOSSA
jnossa@liherald.com
Stuart Richner/Herald
In the path of destruction As it moved up the East Coast, Tropical Storm Isaias left its mark on Rockville Centre on Tuesday afternoon. With heavy winds and gusts up to 78 mph, the storm caused power outages and downed trees in Hempstead Lake State Park and on residential streets, such as the house pictured here on Rosen Road.
Rockville Centre schools discuss safely reopening in September By JILL NOSSA jnossa@liherald.com
Last week, Rockville Centre School District parents took part in a community forum focusing on the district’s proposed plans for reopening in the upcoming school year. It was hosted virtually by Emma Travers and Laura Burns, co-presidents of the Council of PTAs, and district leaders addressed “How to safely teach our children in a time of Covid”
by answering questions sent in by parents and other community members. The forum took place two days before the district’s deadline to submit its proposal to the state. According to Travers, about 200 questions were sent in, and more than 2,400 people responded to the district’s latest survey of residents’ reopening preferences. The forum’s topics included the proposed models for the upcoming school year, safety concerns
and flexibility. “The PTA’s goal here is to facilitate clear and constructive communication between the parents and the administration,” Travers said. “We know this is a difficult and anxious time for everyone.” “We know that many of the decisions won’t be made by parents, or even teachers or administration,” she added. “Much of what we face in the fall will be CONTINUED ON PAGE 14