Serving Manhasset
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Friday, August 25, 2017
Vol. 5, No. 34
GUIDE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
HOUSING PRICES JUMP
COUNTY IMPEDED AUDIT: MARAGOS
PAGES 37-60
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Manhasset brings coding to all students
WA S H I N G F O R W I S H ES
Classes expanded to reduce gender gap in computer programming field BY A M E L I A C A M U R AT I The Manhasset school district is looking to help close the gender gap in computer programming by oering more opportunities to younger students. Manhasset’s director of technology, Sean Adcroft, said the district had been trying to oer computer programming classes in the high school for years but never had enough interested students to ďŹ ll a class. About six years ago, a student named Regan McCooey was determined to bring coding classes to Manhasset. “She really took the bull by the horns and advocated for it and then talked enough of her friends into signing up for the course,â€? Adcroft said. Five years ago, an introduction to computer programming class was introduced, a second introductory course followed and, two
years ago, an AP computer programming option. In the elementary and middle schools, however, students had fewer options than the older students, Adcroft said, and by then, many boys and girls are intimidated by the task and afraid to jump in during high school. “Students exposed to it at a younger age learn that it’s not beyond them, basically,� Adcroft said. “They can have fun with it and get interested in it before they have stereotypes in their heads about who does or doesn’t do coding.� Two years ago, the district started a pilot program with Code. org’s curriculum for second-graders and expanded the option to third- and fourth-graders last year. This year, however, Adcroft said the district is implementing courses and platforms for almost every Manhasset student to take coding. Continued on Page 82
PHOTO COURTESY OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS NY
The Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company recently hosted its annual car wash for Special Olympics New York. Members raised $1,392 as they started their fundraising for the Town of North Hempstead’s Polar Plunge for Special Olympics New York, scheduled for March 3.
Riley ready to teach at Nassau museum helm of Art, has a Ph.D. in English literature from the City University of New York and began Charles Riley never expect- writing short essays for artists’ gallery shows to help people ed a career in the art world. Riley, the new director of understand the artist’s vision. He grew up in Manhasthe Nassau County Museum
BY A M E L I A C A M U R AT I
set and worked as a Time Inc. reporter covering the art market and Washington, D.C., for Fortune Magazine. When Riley was editor of Art and Auction, he said he realized the money Continued on Page 82
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