Town awards grants to businesses Jericho launches Pre-K program for residents

BY GEORGE HABER

The Jericho School District is offering a free Universal Pre-K program for children four years old on or before December 1, 2023. The program will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. five days a week, Monday through Friday, starting in August 2023.

Dr. Ivy Sherman, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, said that the program, which is cost-free to families living in the Jericho School District, will accommodate 54 students.

Supervisor Saladino joins with Town officials and local business owners to award the first $1 million in grant monies to businesses in the Town of Oyster Bay through the Oyster Bay Forward Program. Shown are Jericho Cider Mill owners Kerry and Ted Ketsoglou, Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce President Russell Greene, Supervisor Saladino, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, Town Clerk Rich LaMarca, Councilwoman Michele Johnson and Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato.

The Town of Oyster Bay recently awarded the first $1 million dollars of grant monies available to local businesses and not for profits through the Oyster Bay Forward Program. Oyster Bay Forward offers up to $5,000 to small businesses and non-profits finally impacted by the COVID pandemic, with a total of $4.5 million available.

“After a year-plus long pandemic and now facing an economic recession, small businesses need help and we’re pleased to offer these Federal funds to boost small business owners and not for profits,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “There is still funding available, and we encourage all business owners and non-profits to apply for funding to help them recover losses from the pandemic and keep their operations moving forward in the Town of Oyster Bay.”

The Oyster Bay Forward Grant Program is open to businesses that employ up to 50 full-time equivalent W-2 employees as well as sole proprietors. Additional eligibility criteria:

• Applicant must be the principal (i.e. majority owner);

• Entity must be a for-profit business, or 501c3 or 501c19 non-profit organization, with annual revenue between $35,000 and $5 million;

• At least 60 percent of non-profit expenses must have been programmatic in 2019;

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“The first step to register for UPK will take place online,” she said. Parents should visit www.Jerichoschools.org and complete the form under “Announcements.”

Dr. Sherman said that “If we have more than 54 families interested in the program a lottery will be held to determine the 54 students who can participate. Students’ names pulled after the first 54 will be put on a waitlist in the order their number was drawn.”

About a dozen school districts in Nassau County offer free Pre-K programs for residents. The districts include Manhasset, Glen Cove, Westbury, Rockville Centre, Freeport and Hempstead.