PROFILES IN AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT• AUGUST 410, 2021
Pandemic Changes PLUS Transcript Ransom Scholarship Breakfast
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AUGUST 4 - 10, 2021 • PROFILES IN EDUCATION
Our Lady of Mercy Academy Congratulates the Class of 2021
Save-the-Date Our Lady of Mercy Academy’s Open House October 3, 2021 To learn about the limitless opportunites at Our Lady of Mercy Academy, please contact the Director of Admissions at admissions@olma.org.
Our Lady of Mercy Academy Educating young women with Faith, Compassion, and Promise
815 Convent Road Syosset, New York 11542 516-921-1047 www.OLMA.org
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Five Surprising Ways The Pandemic Changes Education For The Better BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF specialsections@antonmediagroup.com
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he shift to remote learning during the pandemic caused angst for parents, but it also led to unexpected benefits that they may find hard to let go of as their children return to school. While pandemic-era schooling has been difficult, parents have come to appreciate the unexpected benefits of distance learning, said Emily Greene (www.emilygreene.com), the author of School, Disrupted: Rediscovering the Joy of Learning in a PandemicStricken World. Some benefits are so positive that parents are reluctant to slide back into the pre-pandemic status quo of in-person schooling without making some improvements. “The dialogue has shifted as parents and students reflect on the last year and think carefully about what they hope to carry forward to improve the school experience,” Greene said. Greene, a working mother of three children, said the pandemic jostled parents into thinking differently about “traditional schooling.” “Distance learning in a pandemic has changed our expectations,” Greene said. “Parents want to apply what we’ve collectively learned to help our children thrive as they return to school.”
Five benefits that parents hope to carry forward: More free time Before the pandemic, many families’ lives were overscheduled, Greene said. The lockdown helped families reconnect with the joys of free time, playtime and downtime. This took the stress off children overwhelmed with homework, extracurriculars and overly structured schedules and opened the door for natural curiosity to flourish. Scientists say free time is essential to the developing brain and is tied to curiosity, creativity and imagination. More time outside During lockdowns, people suffering from cabin fever longed to leave their houses, but indoor public places were problematic. So, families connected with the outdoors in new ways, such as walking, biking or simply
The pandemic forced parents to think differently about education. eating lunch outside. Before the pandemic, many children spent less time outdoors than prison inmates. One survey of 12,000 parents in 10 countries found that half of children ages 5-to-12 were outside less than an hour each day. In comparison, inmates at U.S. maximum-security prisons are guaranteed at least two hours of daily outside time. Less standardization, more personalization A traditional in-person classroom
follows a standardized schedule, leaving little room for independent work or passion projects. Distance learning offered gaps in the day for children to explore their passions and interests. Many parents saw their children expressing new interests, exploring and deepening existing hobbies and making and building things. More connection with what their children are learning With students working remotely, parents were privy to an up-close
view of what their children are learning. Many parents were impressed with what their children were learning. In other cases, parents were surprised to discover the details of their children’s school experience and began asking questions they never asked before, like “Is this relevant?” Or “How is this helping my child?” This new level of parent engagement will trigger long-overdue updates to the standardized curriculum, as well as more options for children. An increased focus on balance and wellbeing Because of the disruption the pandemic caused children have been “wrung through the wringer,” with social, emotional and mental impact. For many parents, this means holding on to distance learning as an option and giving students the flexibility to attend in-person or distance learning to support well-being. “When society lives through a disruption, it rarely returns to the way it was before,” Greene said. “The next few years will be an inspiring time in education as parents, students and teachers begin to apply what we’ve learned.”
Legislation Approved To End Transcript Ransoming Senate Consumer Protection Committee Chair Kevin Thomas recently announced the passage of legislation to prohibit higher education institutions from withholding an official transcript from a current or former student on the grounds that the student owes a debt, a practice sometimes known as “transcript ransoming.” “Each withheld transcript represents a student who was denied the opportunity to pursue a chosen career path, denied access to social and economic mobility through higher education, and ultimately denied access to the American Dream,” Senator Thomas said. “As New Yorkers recover from the economic fallout of the pandemic, we have the opportunity to remove this ineffective and counterproductive barrier in higher education, helping our state recover faster by ensuring a strong, diverse
and educated workforce.” Thousands of New Yorkers are currently unable to obtain their transcripts from higher education institutions across the state because they owe even small amounts of money—from tuition fees to library fines and parking tickets—to the universities and colleges they attended. At a time when many families are suffering through the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, transcript withholding is a disruptive, counter-productive and harmful practice that prevents students from being able to transfer credits, re-enroll in school to finish their degrees or obtain jobs that could help them pay their balances. “The pandemic has exposed one of the darkest secrets of the student debt crisis—transcript withholding,” said Seth Frotman, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center. “Senator Thomas’ legislation will
put an end to this abuse and provide a path forward for students as they begin on the long road of rebuilding from the economic fallout of COVID.” The legislation sponsored by Thomas (S.5924A) would ensure students have access to transcript data necessary to complete their degree and obtain employment by making transcript withholding a prohibited debt collection practice. “The practice of transcript withholding is preventing many New Yorkers, especially first generation college students, from completing their degree and obtaining economic mobility. This legislation is critical to ensure we have a strong, diverse and educated workforce,” said Carolina Rodriguez, director of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP). —Submitted by the office of Senator Kevin Thomas
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AUGUST 4 - 10, 2021 • PROFILES IN EDUCATION
LIVE LIVE TOLEAD. LIVE
TO INSPIRE.
FCA Hosts Annual Scholarship Fund Breakfast
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n June 24 Garden Citybased nonprofit Family and Children’s Association (FCA) held the organization’s 36th annual Mission Moment Scholarship Fund Breakfast at Westbury Manor. For over three decades, FCA’s Mission Moment Scholarship Fund has aimed to guide local youth toward successful futures by enabling at-risk individuals to pursue higher education and improve their lives by matching them with donors. Nearly 50 college scholarships were awarded, raising a total of nearly $110,000 this year. Scholarship recipients were given the opportunity to meet the donors who helped make their journey possible. The annual reception recognized the extraordinary achievements of scholarship winners, and the dedicated staff and donors who contribute to the program. One of this year’s honorees, former New York Jet, Erik Coleman, shared inspiring words with the students and spoke about the importance of perseverance and never giving up. “We continue to be inspired by the generosity of our donors and tenacity of our students. The past year has been tough for Long Island’s young people but raising more than $100,000 this morning means that the return to classrooms in September will be a little easier for many. It also means that we have set our scholars up for future
YOUR STORY.
success, which makes Long Island better for everyone”, said Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, FCA president and CEO. Other speakers included Dr. Isma Chaudhry and Hon. Brianna A. Vaughan, Parvin. P. (FCA Walkabout resident); all inspired a sense of motivation and optimism for the future amongst the students. The importance of hard work and determination combined with a strong support network or “village” like that which FCA provides were emphasized and ran a common thread amongst the powerful words of the featured presenters. “The annual scholarship event inspires us all and allows Long Island students to accomplish their educational goals,” said Donna Raphael, FCA senior director. “The affirmation and commitment of our FCA staff also make this mission moment a success.” Over the past 36 years, FCA’s Mission Moment Scholarship Fund has gifted more than 1,500 scholarships worth more than $2,000,000 to students engaged with FCA’s programs and services. Scholarship recipients have attended schools including Stony Brook University, Harvard University, Hofstra University, Binghamton University, Nassau Community College, Columbia University, New York Institute of Technology, Farmingdale State College and many more. Visit FCALI.org to learn more. —Submitted by FCA
Become the educator you’re meant to be. Working with an accomplished faculty in small classes – and in the field in a classroom of your own – you’ll turn your passion for education into effective teaching at Molloy, one of the region’s best colleges.
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Pictured from L-R: Scholarship recipients Osatohanmwen Irowa (Stony Brook University), Catherine Maltez (Stony Brook University), Frank Palma Gomez (Queens College), Bairon Reyes Luna (Yale University), 2021 Champion of Change honoree and former New York Jet Erik Coleman, Stephanie Chevez (Harvard University), FCA Program Director Donna Raphael, Andrew J. Culbreath (Five Towns College), David Fongyee (New York Institute of Technology), Melva O. Morales Sierra (Hofstra University), Samson Fashakin (Farmingdale State College), Estefany Sorto (Binghamton University), Jonathan Carrera (Farmingdale State College) and Camila Flores (Nassau Community College).
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AUGUST 4 - 10, 2021 • PROFILES IN EDUCATION
Millions Earmarked For Local Colleges, Universities
Funds from the rescue plan are on the way for institutions
C
ongressman Tom Suozzi has recently announced more than $444 million in emergency funding for colleges, universities and students across Long Island and Queens. The funding will help local institutions and students cope with the severe financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. At least half of the funding each public and private nonprofit institution receives and all funding received by for-profit institutions, must be spent on emergency cash assistance grants to students who are facing financial difficulty, hunger and other hardships. Funding will also help colleges and universities re-open safely, in turn boosting local businesses that rely on the student and faculty population. “The pandemic has made financial uncertainty for students much worse,” said Suozzi. “This plan requires that most of this funding must be used to assist college students facing financial difficulties. Help is on the way.” The colleges and universities receiving funding under the American Rescue Plan are found below. Schools in Suozzi districts have an asterisk next to their funding total.
Long Island: Long Island University: $21,809,870* SUNY College at Old Westbury: $16,804,964* New York Institute of Technology: $12,170,280* New York College of Health Professions: $1,640,624* United States Merchant Marine Academy: $1,388,228* VEEB Nassau County School of Practical Nursing: $1,010,811* Webb Institute: $88,362* State University of New York at Stony Brook: $53,830,978 Suffolk County Community College: $45,320,205 Nassau Community College: $38,449,409 State University of New York at Farmingdale: $22,254,442 Hofstra University: $16,107,212 Adelphi University: $14,720,577 Saint Joseph’s College: $10,975,629 Molloy College: $8,959,688 Western Suffolk BOCES: $1,133,708 Rabbinical College of Long Island: $454,931 New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine: $189,202
SUNY at Stony Brook to receive more than $53 million. Shor Yoshuv Rabbinical College: $184,610 Total: $267,493,730
Queens:
CUNY Queens College: $51,931,565 CUNY LaGuardia Community College: $48,792,766 Queensborough Community College/CUNY: $41,670,718 CUNY York College: $24,529,339 Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology: $6,344,498 Metropolitan Learning Institute: $2,437,292 Rabbinical Seminary of America: $637,111 CUNY School of Law: $417,451 Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid: $243,820 Yeshiva Shaar Hatorah-Grodno: $110,014 Yeshiva of Far Rockaway Derech Ayson: $58,297 Yeshiva Zichron Aryeh: $32,582 Total: $177,205,453 Students should contact their institutions for more information about how they can apply for an emergency grant. The Department of Education released updated guidance and a final rule that clarifies how funds can be used and specifies that all students enrolled on or after March 13, 2020, (the date of declaration of the national emergency) are eligible to receive emergency grants. Nationally, the American Rescue Plan provides $36 billion for nearly 3,500 public and private, nonprofit colleges and universities. —Submitted by the office of Congressman Tom Suozzi
New York Tech Announces New Board Positions Peter J. Romano, an alumnus of New York Institute of Technology, has been named chair of the university’s board of trustees, succeeding Kevin D. Silva, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Voya Financial, who will fulfill his 14-year term limit on the board in August and become a trustee emeritus. Romano is the president and founder of Peter J. Romano & Co., a project development and management consulting firm located in Bellport. A 1976 graduate of New York Tech’s School of Architecture and Design, Romano has served as vice chair of the university’s board of trustees for six years and as a trustee since December 2011. “My New York Tech education served as the foundation for my success and rewarding career,” said Romano. “I look forward to helping guide the mission of the university and to ensuring that it continues to provide exciting and fulfilling opportunities to students, preparing them for personal and professional prosperity.” Romano’s firm specializes in the development, management, and implementation of projects in the health care sector. Prior to starting his own business, Romano led major architectural projects at firms including Caretsky & Associates and Mason
DaSilva & Associates. He and his wife, Jane, established an endowed scholarship Peter fund in Romano support of students in the School of Architecture and Design. New York Tech President Henry C. Foley said, “We are also grateful for the steadfast leadership and guidance that our outgoing chair, Kevin Silva, has provided to the board and for the contributions that he and his wife, Julie, have made to the university.” Michael Merlo, former chief credit officer of Signature Bank, was reelected to a term as vice chair, and board member Dan Ferrara (D.O. ‘86), Northeast regional president of Alteon Health, was elected to his first term as vice chair. Santhosh I. Keshavan, executive vice president and chief information officer at Voya Financial, has been elected as a new trustee and will begin his term in September. “This orderly transition of roles will provide the board and the university with continuity in the years ahead,” noted Foley. —Submitted by New York Institute of Technology
PROFILES IN EDUCATION • AUGUST 4 - 10, 2021
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(New Patients Only) Expires 8/15/21
Clinic is NOW OPEN!
New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine 200 Old Country Road, Suite 500 Mineola, NY 11501 www.nyctcm.edu 516.739.1545
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With updated safety, screening, cleaning and social distance protocols.
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ADVERTORIAL
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AUGUST 4 - 10, 2021 • PROFILES IN EDUCATION
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