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A new pool at group home Project follows 15 years of fundraising She described the pool as a vital outlet for PLUS residents, noting that some residents have After 15 years of fundraising, previously exhibited violent Terri Cancilla’s vision for a behaviors, including punching heated indoor pool has come to holes in walls. Many are nonverbal, and cannot communicate life. Cancilla, executive director their needs with speech, making of Programs for Living, Under- structure and sensory regulastanding and Services for devel- tion critical. “We do take in very challengopmentally disabled adults — known as PLUS Group Homes ing individuals — we deliberately do that because — has long hoped other group homes that the agency’s don’t want them,” first and largest Cancilla said. facility, in Union“Many of them do dale, would be the not have language first to have an — they’re not able enclosed, yearto speak or commuround pool. nicate their needs. That dream We are constantly became a reality working on improvthis summer, when ing all of that.” the pool quietly TERRI CAnCIllA Since the pool opened for its 54 cli- Executive director, opened, the facilients’ use. The agen- PLUS ty’s staff has noted cy officially marked a decrease in incithe project’s completion on Se pt. 11, when it dents of aggression among resiannounced the new facility to dents. The pool is heated to a comthe public during a grand openfortable 85 degrees, and resiing celebration. “Swimming is not only for dents step out into a war m entertainment — yes, it’s a lot changing area. “Some swim, some walk of fun to swim and be in a pool — but the therapeutic benefits around the pool, and others just are phenomenal,” Cancilla said. relax,” Cancilla said. “But “When we feel anxious or agitat- everyone benefits. It reduces ed or we feel frustrated, we turn behavioral outbursts and helps to something we can do so we Continued on page 8 feel calmer.”
By STACY DRIKS
sdriks@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald photos
27th annual Woodworkers Show Ken Wang’s totem poles, called wood spirits, and wooden dogs were made from tree branches he found in his backyard. Crafters use the term FOG: Found on Ground. Story, more photos, Page 10.
New leaders aim to bolster tech, literacy
School district’s two appointments aimed at fostering creativity By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
Two new directors stepped into their roles at the Uniondale School District on Sept. 2 — each bringing more than a decade of experience and expectations of upgrading the district in the areas of instruction and innovation. Rhonda Latty is now leading the district’s English Language Arts Department, replacing Ana Ritter, who retired while Dennis Pettas has been appointed director of Technology and Library Media Services, replacing Michelle PetersonDavis, an English teacher at the high school. Their appointments are part of the district’s efforts to strengthen academics and expand digital learning. Pettas, a Hicksville native, said his focus is to prepare students for a rapidly evolving digital world. He has worked in Long Island schools and higher education, beginning as an adjunct profes-
sor of music technology at Adelphi University from 2011 to 2016, and later serving in technology leadership roles at Long Beach Public Schools and Hofstra University from 2023 to 2024. “As educational technology came to the forefront in the early 2000s, I hit it at the right time,” Pettas said. “I had both a technology mindset and a creative mindset. As technology has grown, I’ve grown and evolved with it. “I found a niche supporting students and teachers, building programs, and integrating technology into classrooms,” he added. This fall, he is launching a pilot program introducing artificial intelligence to students in the sixth through the 12th grades. These lessons will focus on ethics, responsible use and digital literacy — much like schools once did when search engines were new. Pettas said he is reviewing platforms like Magic Continued on page 9
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hen they smile, we smile, and they’re smiling a lot these days.