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Washington comes to Baldwin
By Joan Delaney
“We went to Washington, D.C. in the spring, and today Washington, D.C. has come to Baldwin.”
With those words, Sandy Freiberg, the Baldwin School District’s director of curriculum, technology and instructional support services, welcomed U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy to the district’s first School to Career Advisory Committee meeting of the year.
Mrs. McCarthy was present to honor the district for its commitment to mentoring which was highlighted when mentor Charmaine Robbins of State Farm Insurance and Baldwin senior Chris Garcia were honored as winners of the Spotlight Award given by the National Mentoring Partnership at ceremonies in Washington, D.C. last year.
In comments to the dozens of mentors and teachers present, the congresswoman, who has served for five terms and sits on the Education and Workforce Committee, noted, "I wish I had a mentor when I first came to Congress.”
She then described her visits abroad, particularly to China, where, she said, “Their education is proceeding full steam ahead with every student learning English.”
She deplored almost $15 million in budget cuts in U.S. funding for education last year but praised American students. “Our students may be shy a few points, but they are the best; they are the most innovative.”
She described her joy at being able to speak on the floor of the House of Representatives about the community she represents. With Superintendent of Schools Robert Britto by her side, she read aloud some of the comments she made on September 19, praising Baldwin’s educational commitment, particularly its innovative mentoring program.
In turn, Dr. Britto noted that the school to career partnership serves “not only as an invaluable link between school and work, but on a more personal level, the mentors serve as role models to Baldwin's students.”
In commenting to The Leader on her experiences, State Farm Insurance mentor Robbins described the process as “one of the greatest challenges of my life.” She spoke with pride of helping Mr. Garcia form his goals. “When he started, he didn’t even think of college as part of his future. I showed him what he was capable of.” Presently Mr.
STATION TO STATION: Senator Fuschillo (right) discusses plans for the renovation of the waiting room at the Freeport train station with Assemblyman McDonough (left) and Mayor Glacken (center).
$1M Grant for the LIRR Station
Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District) has announced that he secured over $1 million in state funding for a renovation project at the Freeport train station.
The funds will be used to completely overhaul the waiting room on the station platform. Senator Fuschillo was joined by Assemblyman David McDonough (19th Assembly District) and Freeport Mayor Bill Glacken.
“The Freeport train station is an integral part of the village, serving hundreds of residents on a daily basis. This restoration project will make the train station safer, enhance its overall appearance, and improve the quality of life for the Freeport community,” said Senator Fuschillo.
“On behalf of myself and the Board of Trustees, I want to thank Senator Fuschillo for his efforts in obtaining funding for these improvements,” stated Mayor Glacken. “The complete renovation of the Freeport LIRR station is a key objective of the Glacken Administration and a principal goal of our downtown revitalization efforts. These improvements will have a positive effect on the economic growth of the village and on our residents and commuters, who will benefit from these improvements in safety and comfort while using the Freeport station.”
The improvements to the station include:
• Improved heating system
• New security cameras in waiting room and elevator entrance at street level
• Better lighting
• Brand new wall and floor tiling
• Larger window
• New doors
• Renovations to the platform elevator area
According to the MTA, construction on the project is expected to begin in October.
WE THE PEOPLE: Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray presenting a proclamation for Constitution Week to Sally Boggan, regent of the Ruth Floyd Woodhull Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution.
Freeport’s DAR honors
the Constitution
Constitution Week was celebrated September 17-23, the Constitution of the United States having been signed on September 17, 1787.
On August 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Public Law 915 to authorize the celebration of the signing of the constitution. Our founding fathers wisely set up a government with three branches – executive, legislative, and judical – therefore creating a careful ”separation of powers.”
The Dar works to encourage Americans to read and study the Constitution and reflect on their heritage of the freedoms guarenteed by this domument. The constitution has stood the test of time, having been revised very few times in the centuries that followed.
The proclamation seen in the picture at right has been on display in the Freeport Memorial Library where the Ruth Floyd Woodhull Chapter, NSDAR, meets regularly on the first saturday of the month. Their next meeting on October 7 will feature a discussion on Senior Citizens Affairs, led by Sue Salko, Family and Children’s Associations. Refreshments are served at noon and the meeting begins at 1 p.m. The public is invited. For more information, please call 868-0434.
Sally Boggan is regent of the Ruth Floyd Woodhull Chapter. Dorothy Lauber and Mary Kahner of Seaford and Elizabeth Hans, Jeannatte Scaaf and Nancy Vermon, who reside in Wantagh, are also members of the chapter.
Vietnam veteran and Freeport High School graduate William Gales proudly displays his new tee shirt and diploma, flanked by Estelle Weiss, Freeport director of adult and continuing education, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eric L. Eversley.
A Viet vet gets his diploma – 30 years later!
Despite good grades, William Gales left Freeport High School in 1973 to serve his country in the Vietnam War. More than 30 years later, Mr. Gales smiled broadly as he received his high school diploma from Freeport Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eric L. Eversley.
The belated diploma was granted through Operation Recognition, a State Education Department program allowing World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans to receive diplomas from the schools they left to join the Armed Services.
This is the first diploma to be awarded by Freeport to a Vietnam veteran under Operation Recognition. Director of Adult and Continuing Education Estelle Weiss, who arranged for the diploma presentation, prepared a meaningful ceremony in the Administration Building, with staff on hand in the board room to offer congratulations and best wishes to the new graduate.
“This is not our standard graduation ceremony, but certainly it is not less important,” said Dr. Eversley as he presented the diploma. “This is a great opportunity for us to award a diploma to an individual who has accomplished many things in life, and to support him in his future endeavors.”
Mr. Gales, who trained at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and served in the regular army in Vietnam as a company clerk from 1973-75, learned about the program through a government contractor in Florida, and worked for two years to track down military records that would allow him to qualify and receive his diploma under Operation Recognition.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” said Mr. Gales. “Someone told me, ‘It’s never too late,’ and they were right. Now, I’m able to show my children how important a high school diploma is.”
The newest Freeport High School graduate, previously a supervisor for a moving company, is studying real estate and also seeking entrance to the New York Culinary Institute. Mr. Gales grew up in Freeport, and now lives in Hempstead. He is an ordained minister, and serves as a chaplain at the Nassau County jail – where he himself had been imprisoned during a 14-month low period in his life. Since then, he has come a long way back – and getting his high school diploma is just the icing on the cake he may soon be expertly baking.
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