Serving Great Neck, G.N. Plaza, G.N. Estates, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston
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Friday, August 6, 2021
Vol. 96, No. 32
BEST OF NASSAU COUNTY
PORT’S SOUNDVIEW THEATER TO CLOSE
POLS DEMAND CUOMO QUIT
PAGES 19-62
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Districts await state guidance on COVID-19 N.Y. education commish says goal is to ‘maximize in-person teaching, learning’ BY S A M U E L E PETRUCCELLI With local school districts’ first day of class just weeks away, administrators and public education experts are anxiously awaiting state and federal guidance on protocols to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. Those protocols could range from physical distancing, to wearing masks, to mandating the choice of regular testing or a vaccine. In a July 29 memo to district superintendents, principals and non-public school leaders, New York State Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa gave updates on what could be expected in the coming weeks for students. “The urgency and frustration you are feeling as September approaches is palpable and is shared by the department,” Rosa said. “The overall goal for the 20212022 school year is to maximize inperson teaching and learning, be responsive to student needs, and
keep students and staff healthy and safe. Be assured the department is engaged in continuing efforts to help develop and secure guidance to advance that goal.” Keeping students and staff healthy will take a few safety precautions, some designated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to Rosa. Though it would be best for such decisions to be made as soon as possible, the timeline for local districts to receive more clarity and inform their faculty, staff and students is unclear. “While the nature and extent of COVID-19 and its variants are still dynamic, it is essential that schools receive whatever guidance the governor and the [Department of Health] intend to offer about the 2021-2022 school year as soon as possible to provide time for you to take necessary measures to safely welcome students in September,” Rosa said. “Therefore, the best the department can offer to schools when it comes to health-related Continued on Page 67
PHOTO BY SAMUELE PETRUCCELLI
Between last week’s wake and funeral, clergy estimate 5,000 attendees paid their respects to Manhasset brothers James and Michael Farrell. They were laid to rest at Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington.
Thousands mourn the loss of Manhasset men BY S A M U E L E PETRUCCELLI Six days after being pronounced dead at the scene of a head-on car collision in Quogue, Manhasset brothers Michael and James Farrell were laid to rest at Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington.
Attendees waited for hours inside The Archangel Michael Church to pay their respects to the decorated collegiate lacrosse players and well-known graduates of Manhasset High School at last Thursday’s wake. After a funeral service the next day, a Suffolk County Sheriff, Suffolk County Police and Port Washington Police motorcade
led the procession up W Shore Road for a private burial. Between both the wake and the funeral, clergy estimated there were 5,000 mourners. The brothers died near midnight on July 24 after a red Nissan maxima, driven by Justin Mendez, 22, of Brookhaven, veered out of the two-lane Continued on Page 66
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