Long Island briefs

ISLIP

Career Day focuses on business and technology sectors

Tenth-graders at Islip High School met to learn about future academic and career paths in business and technology from area professionals as well as experts from national companies.

About 240 students on Wednesday entered four 20-minute mini-workshops that started at 7:30 a.m. at the first-ever technology Career Day at the school on Union Boulevard that was hosted by Custom Computer Specialists Inc., a Hauppauge-based information technology service provider.

The program, titled “The Future in Business Technology,” will “give the students information on what they need to be successful in the marketplace now and in future occupations and careers,” said Matthew Christiansen, Islip High School’s science and business chairman.

Industry professionals — from Dell, St. John’s University, North Shore-LIJ Health System, IntraLogic Solutions and Ignition Marketing — spoke to students about their daily career duties, with topics ranging from video surveillance and security, application development, health care and recruiting.

“We want to teach the students that technology is really important in whatever field you go into,” Christiansen said. “They have definitely been embracing technology through the use of smartphones, but they don’t know how technology is used in an integrated manner when it comes to a career, using it more than just for SnapChatting.”

The event was also designed to spark an interest in more students who may not know much about technology, but may become inspired to join the school’s new academy programs launched this school year. The programs, aimed at business and technology, are designed with technology-based extra curricular activities to help prepare students for college studies and careers in those fields.

“They might sit in on a workshop and see something they haven’t even considered before as a possible career and start to look at it seriously,” Christiansen said.

— SARAH ARMAGHAN

ROCKVILLE CENTRE

Annual Breakfast with Santa’s Helpers set for Sunday

The Village’s John A. Anderson Recreation Center will be hosting its annual Breakfast with Santa’s Helpers on Sunday.

Join the elves who will serve pancakes, cereal, juice, milk, rolls, and bagels. After eating Vixen’s Fixins, children may visit Santa, have a picture taken with Rudolph or Frosty and play in Prancer’s Playland.

There is a choice of three seatings: 9:15, 10:15 or 11:15 a.m. Tickets are $7 per person and are on a first come basis. For tickets and further information, please call the Recreation Center at 516-678-9238.

The Rockville Centre Parks and Recreation Department also is looking for people to donate new hats and mittens of all sizes and colors. The donations will be hung on the Mitten and Hat Tree in the Recreation Center lounge before they are given away.

SID CASSESE

NASSAU/SUFFOLK

Police departments to split nearly $268G in federal grants

The Nassau and Suffolk counties police departments will receive $267,620 in federal Homeland Security grants announced Wednesday by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

“We know all too well the threat posed by terrorism, and recent events have only further demonstrated the need . . . to have the resources to respond swiftly and effectively to emergency situations,” Cuomo said in a news release about $4.5 million in such grants around the state.

The Nassau County Police Department will get $100,000 to help it respond to active shooter and other terrorism events; Suffolk’s grant is $67,260.

Each will also get $50,000 to help enhance security at government owned critical infrastructure sites, special events and seasonal at-risk locations.

“It is crucial that our law enforcement agencies have the training and resources in place to respond to an active shooter situation,” said Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington).

Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) said: “The $150,000 awarded to the Nassau County Police . . . will help enhance security at high-risk critical infrastructure sites and special events, and ensure that tactical teams have the training and equipment they need.”

— SID CASSESE

FREEPORT

Holiday tree lighting, Santa visit to be held Saturday

Mayor Robert Kennedy, the village board of trustees, and the Freeport Recreation Center will host its annual holiday tree lighting and Santa visit on Saturday.

The 5 p.m. lighting of the Village Hanukkah Menorah, Kwanzaa Kinara, Christmas tree, and the nativity crèche will take place at the Sunrise Highway triangle, at North Church and Main streets.

The Freeport Recreation Center holiday celebration will follow at 6 p.m. with Santa’s arrival at the center via fire truck, courtesy of the Freeport Fire Department. Upon his arrival, Santa, Mayor Kennedy, the Freeport board of trustees, and a crowd of children will countdown and light the Christmas tree on the front lawn of the center. Children can visit with Santa, take photos, and enjoy holiday music, provided by students of the Freeport High School Music department and DJ Tommy.

At 6:30 p.m., juggling, tricks, and a variety of acts will be performed in the Recreation Center lobby by Long Island based “clowning” entertainment group, “The National Circus Project”, sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Also at 6 p.m. the award-winning Freeport Skate Academy will host its Holiday Ice show in the center’s ice rink bubble.

— SID CASSESE