Serving New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Garden City Park, North Hills, Manhasset Hills and North New Hyde Park
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Friday, August 6, 2021
Vol. 70, No. 32
N E W H Y D E PA R K
BEST OF NASSAU COUNTY
PORT’S SOUNDVIEW THEATER TO CLOSE
POLS DEMAND CUOMO QUIT
PAGES 19-62
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PAGE 6
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 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. See story on page 2.
Dispute delays Denton Ave. bridge construction BY B R A N D ON DUFFY
tan Transportation Authority and the Village of Garden City, transit officials said. The crossing is the seventh The reconstruction of an aging Long Island Rail Road and final bridge that needs to bridge over Denton Avenue be renovated as part of the has been delayed amid a dis- massive LIRR Expansion Projpute between the Metropoli- ect, which is slated to be com-
pleted in 2022. In a July 28 statement to the community, the LIRR Expansion Project team said it was waiting for Garden City officials to issue permits needed to start work on the bridge. Continued on Page 79
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