East Meadow
HERALD A plan for social distance dining
Appreciation for NUMC nurses
l.I. is ‘close’ to reopening
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Vol. 20 No. 20
MAY 14 - 20, 2020
Students and their parents honor Big Chief owner Luanne Picinich. “We had to do something to thank her and the teachers.” A row of about 25 vehicles This was the first time some pulled into the parking lot of the students had seen their teachers Big Chief School and Camp in since schools closed in March East Meadow on May 7, many of amid the coronavirus pandemic. them sporting postBut Big Chief, a ers with messages of camp during the gratitude for the summer and a school teachers there. One offering day care child stuck his head through kindergarout of the sunroof of ten classes from Sepa van, while others tember to June, had peered out windows, remained open for smiling eagerly. children whose parWaiting for them ents are both essenat Big Chief was a tial workers through group of teachers, permission from the cheering and calling N ew Yo rk S t at e out to their students. Office of Children One car blasted a and Family Services, song by Fitz and the whittling its attenTantrums that dance down to 12. JACqUIE summed up the spirFor those parents, it of the event with PURSINo the parade was a its chorus: “I could East Meadow chance to thank the make your hands teachers for helping parent clap.” take care of their “I’m so glad its kids over the past such a big turnout for such short two months. notice,” said Jacquie Pursino, a Last week, attendance at the parent who had organized the school jumped to 25, when its day parade two days earlier, in honor care center began accepting chilof National Teacher Apprecia- dren with at least one parent who tion Day on May 5. “Luanne’s is an essential worker. Once the always giving back to the commu- administration deems it safe, the nity,” Pursino said of Big Chief Continued on page 3
By BRIAN STIEGlITZ bstieglitz@liherald.com
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Christina Daly/Herald
Jets keep flying toward college East Meadow High School seniors celebrated their college commitments with a vehicle parade through the community last Saturday. Soon-to-be-graduate Vanessa Froehlich was all about blue and yellow, in keeping with her decision to attend Hofstra University this fall. Story, more photos, Page 12.
Fighting Covid-19 with Bingo
Salisbury raises over $8,000 for a variety of causes By BRIAN STIEGlITZ bstieglitz@liherald.com
Some families in Salisbury are battling pandemic isolation by raising money for charity. On Mother’s Day they spent their third Sunday playing a community-wide game of Bingo on Zoom. This week the caller was a special guest: Kenneth Card Jr., superintendent of the East Meadow School District. A group of Salisbury mothers have organized the virtual games
as a way to celebrate despite the spread of Covid-19, raising funds for a different cause each week. “You can’t go to the movies anymore. You can’t play minigolf,” said Diana Hicks, one of the organizers. “To have an hour of entertainment is priceless.” The other mothers include Lulette Infante, Madalyn DeLuccia, Carly Feinstein, Kristen Campagnuolo and Tricia Barsuakas. Infante and her neighbors garnered support on the Salisbury/
Westbury Moms and Dads group on Facebook. “Whenever somebody needs something, they could post it there,” said Campagnuolo, who is one of the group’s moderators. The Bingo costs $10 per game, and the prizes are gift cards that are either purchased or donated by local businesses. Last week’s grand prize was a $200 gift card for the Westbury Academy of Dance. “The businesses have been so Continued on page 4
uanne’s always giving back to the community. We had to do something to thank her and the teachers.