__________________ Merrick _________________
HERALD Stump Jumpers get tested
ESY students shine in film
Getting ‘creative’ at art camp
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Vol. 28 No. 34
$1.00 $1.00
AUGUST 21 - 27, 2025
Diving into a fresh science District introduces modern curriculum dimensional learning,” where students investigate real-world problems, ask questions and The Bellmore-Merrick Cen- apply evidence to explain scientral High School District is set tific ideas. Instead of memorizto roll out a revamped science ing facts, students will take a curriculum this fall, introduc- hands-on approach that coming new NGSS-aligned courses bines science practices, core in Earth and Space Science and ideas and big-picture concepts. Life Science: Biology. “While hands-on experiThe update aims ments have always to enhance student been a part of sciengagement and ence classes, what’s dee pen scientific dif ferent now is understanding w h o d r ive s t h e through hands-on, investigation,” said inquiry-based Heather Bizewski, learning that the district’s scireflects the latest ence chairperson. national standards “Under the new in science educastandards, students tion. This shift is won’t just follow the result of years s t e p - by - s t e p l a b of planning by the instructions; state and the disthey’ll take on the trict and marks a role of scientists significant transfor- HEATHER BIzEwSKI themselves. This mation in the way science chairperson m e a n s ch o o s i n g science education what variables to will be delivered investigate, decidand experienced ing how to carry it throughout the district’s class- out, and thinking critically rooms. about the results. The new courses follow the “The focus is on developing New York State Science Learn- thinkers and problem-solvers, ing Standards, based on the not just students who complete widely adopted Next Genera- tasks,” she continued. “It’s a tion Science Standards. These shift toward authentic scientifstandards focus on “three-
By BRIAN KACHARABA
bkacharaba@liherald.com
T
Courtesy Amy Mogel David Mogel was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis five years ago and is in desperate need of a liver transplant.
Local man has a desperate plea
Mogel needs life-saving liver transplant after diagnosis By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
David Mogel needs help, and his life depends on it. The 67-year-old Merrick resident i urgently needs a liver transplant after being diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis five years ago. His best chance for survival is through a humanitarian donor — a living person who chooses to donate a portion of their liver to a recipient. The liver is unique in its ability to regenerate, meaning both the donor’s and recipient’s livers can grow back to full size after the procedure. To ensure safety, potential donors undergo a rigorous evaluation process and must
meet specific criteria, including being between 18 and 60 years old, in good physical and mental health, having a healthy liver, and possessing a compatible blood type. Insurance would cover the cost of the transplant, and the Mogels have offered to pay for transportation and lodging for whomever chooses to donate. Mogel said he first suspected something was wrong about five years ago. He saw his primary physician, who suggested that he see a specialist — advice that Mogel said “effectively saved my life.” “We went through a couple of specialists until one said, ‘Look, you definitely have AIH,’” he recalled. “It’s relatively rare. It’s only about one in 100,000 in the general popContinueD on pAge 20
he focus is on developing thinkers and problem-solvers, not just students who complete tasks.
ContinueD on pAge 13