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57°
Wednesday, oct 9
Schools
Nassau County Well-Represented In Brand-New Best High School Rankings
New York is well-represented in brand-new rankings of the best high schools in New York. The first four in Niche's 2025 selections are all from New York City: Stuyvesant in Manhattan, the Bronx High School of Science, Staten Island Technical High School, and Townsend Harris High School in Queens. Checking in at No. 5 and the first Westchester County selection is Scarsdale High School. The first Long Island school picked is No. 7 Half Hollow Hills West in Dix Hills. Long Island schools also make up spots 10 through 13: They are Jericho, Syosset, and Great Neck South high schools. Four mor…
Schools
These Nassau County Schools Recipients Of Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award
These Long Island schools are at the top of the class and now they have the hardware to prove it. Two elementary schools in Nassau County were among 356 schools across the country to receive the prestigious 2024 National Blue Ribbon award from the US Department of Education. The annual awards recognize high-performing public and non-public schools, as well as those making strides in closing achievement gaps among student groups. “Their leaders not only articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards, they stay close to the real action of teaching and learning,” the de…
Schools
New Poll Reveals NYers' Views On Banning Cell Phone Use In Schools
With the new school year comes renewed debate over the use of cell phones in the classroom. Among New York parents of school-age children, 77-percent support barring cell phone use in schools during the day, a Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” poll found. Most parents, 72-percent, said they still want their child to have their phone on them in case of an emergency, the poll found. Earlier Report: Hochul Signs Bill Restricting 'Addictive' Social Media Feeds Targeting Children The poll was conducted by 600 parents with at least one child under the age of 18 in New York Cit…
Schools
These Nassau County Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
A group of Long Island high school seniors put in the work and now they’re in the running for one of the most prestigious academic honors in the country. Hundreds of students from across Nassau and Suffolk counties were named as semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. They join more than 16,000 other students from across the United States after earning high marks on the Preliminary SAT during their junior year. In order to become finalists, students and their high school must submit a detailed scholarship application which includes their academic record, an ess…
Schools
13-Year-Old Caught With Brass Knuckles At Long Island School, Police Say
A 13-year-old boy is facing charges after he was allegedly caught with brass knuckles at a Long Island school. The incident happened in Lake Ronkonkoma, at Samoset Middle School, at around 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13. Suffolk County Police said a staff member asked the teen to empty his bag for an unrelated incident when the brass knuckles were discovered. The student was arrested on suspicion of criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor. He is expected to be arraigned in Suffolk County Court on a later date.
Schools
Social Media Threat Raises Alarms At Elementary School On Long Island
Security was heightened at a Long Island elementary school after authorities discovered a threatening social media post. Riverhead Police said a parent contacted the agency at around 6:40 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, saying their child had found a Snapchat post making unspecific threats against “Pulaski Elementary School,” along with other schools. The threat was relayed to administrators at Pulaski Street Elementary School and police conducted extra patrols at the campus, police said. Earlier Report: New Bomb Threat Sent To Kellenberg High School For Second Straight Day Investigators…
Schools
Duo Accused Of Burglarizing All-Girls Jewish School In Cedarhurst
Two men are accused of breaking into an all-girls, Orthodox Jewish school on Long Island. The incident happened in Cedarhurst, at the Shulamith School for Girls on Cedarhurst Avenue, at around 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Nassau County Police said two men illegally entered the school and rummaged through several offices. On Monday, Sept. 9, investigators announced that they arrested 24-year-old Kevin Jimenez-Ramos, who is homeless, and 24-year-old Kevin Diaz, of Far Rockaway, Queens. Both men are charged with third-degree burglary. Shulamith School serves approximately 600 girls aged prescho…
Schools
New Law Will Put A Student On Every School Board In NY
There will soon be a student on every school board in New York.A new law requiring all state boards of education to have at least one student member will take effect on July 1, 2025. The students will attend public meetings, but not executive sessions, and won't be allowed to vote. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the bill on Thursday, Sept. 5. It will also remove the current law requirement that a student member seat be authorized by referendum of the voters of the district. The bill would also remove the requirement that a student member be a senior at the school and instead require only …
Schools
Hempstead School Superintendent Ousted Over Possible Misconduct
A Long Island school district formally cut ties with its superintendent over possible misconduct. The Hempstead School Board voted 4-1 to remove Superintendent Regina Armstrong at a special meeting held Thursday evening, Sept. 5. Armstrong was "reassigned to home effective immediately," board President Victor Pratt said in a letter to the community. “This decision was not made lightly and comes after a comprehensive review of recent developments and their impact on our school district,” he said. Specifically, the district is investigating whether Armstrong “misused facilities” by hos…
Schools
Suspect Nabbed In String Of Thefts At Adelphi University
A man is accused in a string of thefts that occurred at a Long Island college. Garden City Police arrested Austin Withers, age 28, of Hempstead, at his Crowell Street residence on suspicion of grand larceny and related charges Saturday, Aug. 24. According to police, Withers was seen stealing a wallet inside the Adelphi University library in Garden City on Tuesday, June 18. He allegedly used credit cards found in the wallet to make purchases at the Jamaica train station. Detectives said he also stole an Apple Air Pod valued at $250 from the campus’ University Center and stole credit …
Schools
Collision With School Bus Injures Girl, Mother In Nassau County
A young girl and her mother were injured in a collision involving a school bus on Long Island. The incident happened in Roosevelt on West Greenwich Avenue shortly before 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Original report - Girl Hospitalized After Incident Involving Mini School Bus In Roosevelt Nassau County Police said a 10-year-old girl was riding her bicycle when she lost her balance and struck the side of a passing mini school bus traveling eastbound on West Greenwich Avenue. The child suffered severe abrasions on both of her legs, and her 40-year-old mother injured her right hand tryin…
Schools
Ex-Long Island Teacher Accused Of Sexually Abusing Students Photographed Third Victim, DA Says
A retired elementary school teacher on Long Island charged with sexually abusing two of his students is now accused of harming a third student. Thomas Bernagozzi, age 75, of Babylon, was arrested on sex crimes charges in December 2023 after an investigation by Suffolk County Police found that he sexually abused two male students between the 1980s and early 2000s while teaching third grade in the Bay Shore School District. At the time of the alleged abuse, the boys were third-grade students at Gardiner Manor Elementary School and Mary G. Clarkson Elementary School. Bernagozzi taught a…
Schools
Long Island Schools Received $600M From State Lottery Last Year
Lottery officials announced that Long Island schools received $600 million in the last fiscal year. A new report from the New York Lottery shows that of the $3.7 billion Lottery Aid to Education revenue raised yearly, Long Island schools received a pretty chunk of change. Between Nassau and Suffolk counties, the total amount of financial aid comes out to just under $600 million during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Of that, Nassau County schools received approximately $239 million, while Suffolk County schools got $359 million. The New York Lottery has contributed to state education since …
Schools
Yale University Names Maurie McInnis As New President
The president of Long Island’s Stony Brook University has been selected to first permanent female president of Yale University. Maurie McInnis was named Yale’s 24th president in an announcement by the school. The 58-year-old cultural historian, currently serving as the president of Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, graduated from Yale with a Ph.D in art history in 1996. In the years since her graduation, McInnis has served in senior positions at the University of Virginia and the University of Texas at Austin before moving to Stony Brook University in 2020. She became a Yale trus…
Schools
Athletic Cuts, Bigger Class Sizes Loom After Voters Reject Long Island School Levy Increases
Teachers and parents in two Long Island school districts are bracing for major budget cuts after voters rejected a pair of tax levy increases. In Suffolk County, both the Sachem Central School District and the West Babylon School District fell short of the 60-percent supermajorities that were needed as the proposed budgets exceeded the tax cap. Final vote tallies Wednesday, May 22, showed 56-percent of voters backed West Babylon’s levy increase, while just 50.3-percent supported Sachem’s. Prior to Tuesday’s vote, the Sachem Central School District said the levy increase was needed to “pres…
Schools
How Sweet: NY Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl
Forget the apple; this distinguished New York teacher is getting a cookie party. Just in time for National Teacher Appreciation Day, cookie chain Crumbl announced the winners of its “Teacher of the Year” awards, given to educators “for their extraordinary commitment to their classrooms.” In New York, the honor went to Monroe County teacher Dan Graf at State Road Elementary School in Webster. Recipients were selected from a pool of over 6,000 nominations that included testimonials from parents, students, colleagues, and friends. They were chosen from each state, the District of Columbi…
Schools
US Presidential Scholars: 6 NY High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor
These students have a date with the president. Six graduating seniors from New York were among just 161 high school students across the country to be selected as a US Presidential Scholar, one of the nation’s highest honors for students. Established in 1964, the award recognizes distinguished seniors who have shown exceptional accomplishments in areas like academics, leadership, and service to their school and communities. The program was later expanded to include students in the visual, creative, and performing arts, and in career and technical education fields. In the Empire State, the…
Schools
Best High Schools: Westchester Well-Represented In Brand-New Rankings
New York is well-represented on U.S. News & World Report's latest rankings of the nation's best high schools. The brand-new rankings were released Tuesday morning, April 23, and determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. The highest-ranked school outside New York City is on Long Island: Jericho, at No. 13 statewide and 104th nationally. The top-rated high school in Westchester County is Edgemont at No. 14 in the state and 128th in the nation, with Bronxville, at No. 16 in the state and 151st nationally. Another W…
Schools
LI Man Who Embezzled $8.4M From Private School To Buy Cars, Beach Houses Gets Prison Time
A former employee at a Long Island private school who lived the high life after embezzling millions of dollars will spend years in prison. David Ostrove, age 52, of West Islip, was sentenced to between 8 ⅓ and 25 years in prison in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, April 17, following his conviction for grand larceny and money laundering. Prosecutors said Ostrove transferred over $8.4 million from Williston Park’s Schechter School of Long Island into his own personal accounts between March 2014 and April 2022. Earlier Report: West Islip Man Embezzled $8.4M From Private School, Boug…
Schools
Long Island Schools Recognized With
Namm
Foundation Awards
Out of the 975 districts across the nation honored for having outstanding music education programs, approximately 60 Long Island were selected and bestowed with the award. Dozens of school districts on Long Island were awarded by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for having the Best Community For Music Education (BCME). Now in its 25th year, the foundation’s BCME award “celebrates outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education.” Nine hundred and seventy-five school…
Schools
School Bus Driver Sexually Abused Long Island Girl For Over Year, Police Say
A Long Island school bus driver is accused of sexually abusing a young girl for more than a year. Miguel Enrique Diaz, age 47, of Bay Shore, was arrested Wednesday, March 13, on suspicion of course of sexual conduct against a child. Suffolk County Police said Diaz, a Suffolk Transportation bus driver for Bay Shore Middle School and Brook Elementary School, sexually abused the victim on multiple occasions between May 2022 and October 2023. When the alleged abuse began, the girl was 12 years old. A community therapist reported the abuse to police in early March. Diaz was taken into custody …
Schools
'Hometown Hero' Staffer Saves Choking Second Grader At Long Island School
She was in the right place at the right time. An employee at a Long Island elementary school is being hailed a hero after saving a student from choking. The frightening incident happened Friday, March 8, in Commack, at Wood Park Primary School on New Highway. Commack School District officials said school monitor Francesca Augello was making her usual rounds in the cafeteria when she spotted a second-grade boy choking on a piece of pizza. Without missing a beat, Augello performed the Heimlich maneuver on the 8-year-old and was able to clear his airway. The six-year employee credited her …
Schools
Jimmy Fallon Crashes NY College Party, Pokes Fun At Alma Mater's Impending Closure
Funnyman Jimmy Fallon ginned up plenty of online buzz after crashing a college party in upstate New York. The 49-year-old “Tonight Show” host and “Saturday Night Live” alum made a surprise appearance at what appears to be a frat party at a house near the UAlbany campus on Saturday, March 9. Video shared on TikTok shows dozens of students screaming with excitement while trying to snap selfies as Fallon is led through a crowd and into the residence. It was not immediately clear how long he stayed at the party. @victoriaspadaro Kegs & Eggs 🍀 #jimmyfallon #ualbany #upstateny #capital…
Schools
Free Breakfast, Lunch Program Launches At Long Island School District
A new program will provide students at every grade level free meals throughout the school day, a district on Long Island announced. Starting Friday, March 1, students in the Connetquot School District, located in Islip, will be able to get breakfast and lunch for free, the district announced. The measure includes all students at the following schools: Edward J. Bosti Elementary School; Cherokee Street Elementary School; Helen B. Duffield Elementary School; John Pearl Elementary School; Edith L. Slocum Elementary School; Sycamore Avenue Elementary School; Oakdale-Bohemia Elementar…
Schools
School District In Fairfield County Causes Controversy By Removing 2 Scheduled Holidays
A Connecticut school board's decision to remove two holidays that have traditionally given students a day off has sparked debate amongst community members, according to a report by ABC 7 New York. The controversy began in Fairfield County following the Stamford School Board's decision to remove Veterans Day and Columbus Day from their calendar, which means students will not have them off for the next two years, according to an ABC7 report from Friday, Jan. 26. Board members, who passed the decision in a 5-3 motion, have defended the decision by saying students should remain in s…
Schools
Long Island School District Announces Partnership With Free Text Therapy Program
At a time when mental illness among adolescents is becoming concerningly common, one school district on Long Island is hoping to be able to make a difference with its students. Half Hollow Hills Central School District, located in Dix Hills, announced on Monday, Jan. 22 that it was partnering with the app Counslr to provide free therapy sessions to its high schoolers. A text-based, 24/7 counseling service, Counslr was founded in 2019 on Long Island with a mission to make mental healthcare more accessible to those who need it most, aiming to eliminate hurdles such as cost and stigma. Th…
Schools
Long Island Teen Wins National Contest With News Segment
A Long Island high school senior was recognized for producing a stellar news segment in a national contest. Kyra Sansone, a senior at Oyster Bay High School, won second place in the high school division II news story category of the 2023 Student Television Network Fall Nationals contest, her school announced. Her news piece, titled “Senior Parking Problems,” was made as part of her digital reporting class and highlighted a common issue among her fellow students – how the senior class’ designated parking lot often fills up with those who aren’t supposed to park there, or who have park…
Schools
NY Easing Licensing Process For School Bus Drivers To Address 'Critical Shortage'
Leaders in New York are making it easier for people to become school bus drivers in an attempt to tackle a growing national shortage. The Department of Motor Vehicles has implemented a federal waiver allowing school bus driver applicants to skip the engine compartment component – known as the “under the hood” part – of the commercial driver license road test. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the move will make it easier to get a commercial license at a time when school bus drivers are “desperately needed.” “The job of transporting and caring for our children is so important, and the need for more dr…
Schools
Oh, Brother: Twins Earn Valedictorian, Salutatorian At Their Long Island High School
A pair of twin brothers from Long Island have taken the top-of-the-class spots at their high school. Devon and Dylan Lee, fraternal twins from New Hyde Park, share not only their genes but a streak of academic success. The brothers, who are seniors at Herricks High School, were announced by their school as the top two students in their class – Devon as valedictorian and Dylan as salutatorian – in November 2023. According to a report by ABC 7 New York, the brothers’ GPAs were different by just six-thousandths of a point. The station also announced that the Lees have chosen what c…
Schools
High School Marching Band From Long Island Wins National Contest
A marching band hailing from a Long Island high school beat out over 400 schools and won thousands of dollars in band equipment in a competition hosted by metal legends Metallica. “Pride of Malverne,” the marching band from Malverne High School, was one of six high school and college marching bands to be named the winners of Metallica’s “For Whom The Band Tolls” competition, the band announced on Monday, Jan. 8. “For Whom The Band Tolls” was launched by Metallica in April 2023, challenging college and high school bands across the country to share their best performances using the band’s ic…
Schools
Custodian Solicits Sex, Exposes Himself At Long Island Elementary School, Police Say
A custodian at a Long Island elementary school is accused of exposing himself while on the job. Thomas Winberry, age 34, of West Islip was arrested Wednesday, Jan 10 on suspicion of public lewdness. Suffolk County Police said Winberry – an employee at Otsego Elementary School in Dix Hills – posted video on social media of himself soliciting sex and exposing himself. The alleged incident happened on school grounds at around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9. No students were in the building at the time, a spokesperson for the Half Hollow Hills School District told Daily Voice. Winberry has …
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