RyeCity REVIEW THE
July 3, 2020 | Vol. 8, Number 26 | www.eastchesterreview.com
Westchester enters Phase 4 of reopening
A RETURN?
With the high school sports world still reeling from the effects of COVID-19, several districts in the area have also had to add new athletic directors into the mix. For story, see page 16.
County announces 2020 Jandon Scholarships recipients The Westchester County Board of Legislators and the Jandon Foundation are pleased to announce the recipients of scholarships in the 2020 Jandon Scholars program. The program awards $12,000 over four years to Westchester public high school seniors who meet certain academic requirements and financial eligibility guidelines, to help them complete their college education. One of the distinctive aspects of the Jandon Scholars program is that it follows students through their college careers. Awards are provided in annual, increasing increments, and scholarship recipients have access to a network of hundreds of alumni who have come through the program. Board Chairman Ben Boykin said, “Earning a Jandon Scholarship is a remarkable achievement under normal circumstances. To have earned such a distinction in this very difficult time, when the normal conventions
of school have been disrupted by COVID-19, is a testament to the perseverance and strength of character of this year’s Scholars. We congratulate them, and we know that this wonderful program – including the mentorship of previous scholars – will help these fine students continue to achieve, whatever circumstances the future may hold.” The Jandon Foundation’s Alec Cecil said, “Our Jandon Scholars have achieved so much under unprecedented circumstances. We are proud to be making an investment in these Scholars, and to be in a position to provide them with financial support and mentorship. Seeing their determination, fortitude and commitment to their educations, I know that the investment we make in them is an investment in a brighter future for us all.” This year’s Jandon Scholarships are the first to be awarded since the passing of Donald Cecil, who established the Jandon
Scholars program in 1999 to help Westchester students from low-income families attend college. Chairman Boykin said, “Don Cecil was a wonderful man who did so much for the community and for so many deserving
students for decades. While we mourn his passing, we know that the life and achievements of the students Jandon has helped, and the future students Jandon will help, will be testaments to Don’s vision for generations to come.”
Below is a list of this year’s Scholars, the high schools they attend and the colleges the will be attending: • Sandy Salazar • Crystal Padron • Michelle Portillo • Kayla Fagan • Melane Tejada • Aaliyah Wright • Litzy Valdovinos • Okoe Garcia Toribio • Keyla Alarcon • Enoc Guartambel • Ebany Tapia • Inmay Weinstein • Lisbel Feliz Garo • Jennifer Mora • Kimberly Mourao-Franco
Fox Lane HS Lincoln HS Lincoln HS Mount Vernon HS Mount Vernon HS Mount Vernon HS Nellie Thornton HS Palisade Preparatory HS Peekskill HS Peekskill HS Peekskill HS Peekskill HS Roosevelt HS Saunders HS Sleepy Hollow HS
Barnard College Lehman College SUNY Stony Brook Fordham University SUNY Stony Brook SUNY Binghamton Lehman Collage Fordham University Manhattanville College Fordham University Pace University SUNY Albany SUNY Binghamton Manhattan College SUNY Binghamton
For a slide show of this year’s Jandon Scholars click: https://westchesterlegislators.com/images/2020_Jandon_Scholars.gif
On Tuesday, July 7, Westchester County entered the Phase 4 reopening stage under Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s NY Forward reopening plan as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses that will be eligible to begin reopening in Phase 4 are: • Higher education • Low-risk outdoor arts and entertainment • Low-risk indoor arts and entertainment • Media production • Professional sports competitions with no fans • Food services, including restaurants food trucks and other food concessions, many of which had been eligible for takeout and outdoor dining services previously. The state has a number of mandatory guidelines and best practices outlined for each of these industries that are able now to reopen. As with prior reopening stages, each reopening business must develop a written Safety Plan outlining how its workplace will prevent the spread of COVID-19. In Phase 4, social gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed and indoor religious gatherings will be allowed at up to 33 percent of the indoor site’s capacity. Cuomo also announced that New York City entered Phase 3 of reopening on Monday, July 6, without indoor dining and subject to comprehensive state guidance. The Long Island Region was on track to enter Phase 4 on Wednesday, July 8. The governor also announced that the state Department of Health, in consultation with the Reimagine Education Advisory
Council and others, is finalizing guidance on the possible reopening of schools in September. New York state previously directed all school districts to develop reopening plans. A decision on whether to reopen schools in September has not been made yet. Cuomo also announced that casinos and movie theaters will currently remain closed as the state government continues to review the science and facts on their safe reopening. The governor also announced that New York state will make industry recommendations on the use of air filtration technology to potentially eliminate the spread of COVID-19 through air conditioning systems. As evidence emerges that COVID-19 spread is linked more to airborne transmission than to surface area transmission, New York state is studying filters, their compatibility with existing air systems, the expense of modifications to air conditioning systems and other factors. “We are closely monitoring the gauges on the reopening valve to see if the infection or hospitalization rate is going up, and we will tighten or loosen the valve as necessary depending on the data,” he said. “If we see spikes in data or lack of compliance, we will slow down the reopening valve and adjust as necessary. New York City goes into Phase III but with no indoor dining. The numbers show we are right where we want to be, but what’s happening around the country is a cold reminder that we need to continue being cautious and smart and disciplined—no one wants to go back to the hell that we went through.” (Submitted)