Local Student Starts Singing Program For Adventures In Learning

Adventures in Learning, a program housed in the Manhasset-Great Neck EOC, was pleased to announce the start of a new program created by local student, Carys Hyland, called Adventures in Singing. Carys is a member or Tri-M Music Honor Society for voice, sings with the Manhasset High School Symphonic Choir and has been invited to perform at local events including a local fundraiser for Tuesday’s Children, as well as singing the National Anthem and God Bless America at both the Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies at Mary Jane Davies Park. The program was a way to share her love of singing combined with her musical training with underserved children in the community. Carys said, “I feel very fortunate to have found singing as it has been a wonderful outlet for me. I hope to teach the basics and perhaps inspire some children to continue singing throughout their education. The Manhasset School District has amazing resources and wonderful music teachers. If I can inspire one child to continue singing and learn fundamentals, I will be thrilled.” For over 50 years, Adventures in Learning has offered children in kindergarten through sixth grade a place to come after school for fun, guidance and academic assistance. Throughout the years, Adventures in Learning has served hundreds of local children, making a difference in the lives of underserved youth who would otherwise be without assistance during a critical time in their development.

Carys proposed her idea to her chorus teacher, Mr. Jared Berry, who was very enthusiastic and offered his assistance. Carys then contacted Polly Haas, Associate Director of Programs for Adventures in Learning, who then helped with the logistics of setting up the program. Carys currently teaches approximately 15 students in 2nd and 3rd grade. The program introduces the basics of music theory, notes, pitches, rhythm, voice training, and performance style. Each week the students are taught a familiar song that has been adapted to keep the students engaged, including using karaoke, and based on the reaction of the students this program is likely to be one of the most successful. Carys has found it extremely rewarding to work with her eager students and looks forward to continuing with the program and has created it to be sustainable for the future.

Carys is requesting donations to pay for costs related to procuring the sheet music and related supplies. Donations can be made through Adventures in Learning’s website at www.adventures-in-learning. org or by check payable to Adventures in Learning (please include on the memo line Adventures in Singing) and mailed to Ms. Polly Haas, Associate Director of Programs, Adventures in Learning, P.O. Box 1054, Manhasset, NY 11030. All donations will go directly to Adventures in Learning and are tax deductible.

—Submitted by Adventures in Learning

District laid the groundwork by becoming the first Long Island wastewater reuse facility to realize true beneficial reuse through irrigation. There was a twofold project that reduced nitrogen loading going into the Peconic Estuary at the same time allowing an irrigant for the Indian Island Golf Course.”

“This success story shouldn’t end in Riverhead,” said Reichel. “Now that we have the tools needed to continue the work that was started in Riverhead, I hope this document does not get put on a shelf and left alone. It should be used for what it is; an action plan.”

Rick Balla, the head of the Watershed Management Branch at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), partnered with the Riverhead Sewer District during their reuse project and is now supporting Seatuck’s plan.

Balla touched on the topics important to the project and to the EPA, including maintaining water levels in freshwater areas, preserving limited groundwater, reducing the nutrient load in drinking water, and reducing energy costs associated with pumping or treating water.

In addition, Balla discussed the National Water Reuse Action Plan and how it is geared toward improving water quality and supporting communities by funding local infrastructiure projects. “Fifty billion is being provided to EPA over the next five years to address infrastructure. And as part of that infrastructure, we’re encouraging states to enhance their climate resilience. Through strategies including water reuse,” said Balla.

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director at Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment, discussed the importance of water reuse on Long Island. “It’s going to save us money, prioritize the aquifer water as drinking water, fight saltwater intrusion, and reduce nitrogen loading into the marine environment,” said Esposito.

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Town Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey and Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip were in attendance to show early support for the action plan.

“It’s extremely important that studies like this are done to help prioritize ways in which we can go forward and reduce the tremendous strain on drinking water,” said Supervisor DeSena.

Legislator Pilip shared her experience growing up in Africa. She said, “I know when you don’t have clean water, you have to walk many miles to bring a small amount of water to the entire family. So I have personal experience growing up in Africa until age 12. Anything to do with our environment, anything to do with providing clean water and thinking about the future of this county is very important to me.”

Whats Next?

To make the action plan a reality, the next steps involve working with the community and the government.

Hadjiyane from Cameron Engineering said, “we need to work with the NYSDEC and the EPA on developing better guidelines for New York State water. We also need to convene a water reuse work group to implement the strategies in this report. That will get the elected officials on board and help us pursue grant funding.”

Already, the GNWPCD is interested in the action plan, along with some golf courses. Seatuck will now be focusing on working with elected officials to help find the funding through a combination of state and federal grants.

To learn more about the Long Island Water Reuse Road Map and Action Plan and see the full report compiled by Seatuck, Greentree and Cameron Engineering, visit seatuck.org/water-reuse