Nassau BOCES honors 13 for their impact on education

Thirteen Nassau individuals and organizations were named 2015 Education Partners for their impact on public education in the county.

Nassau BOCES announced the winners last month in the ninth annual awards program celebrating those who have had a "profound effect" on the county's public education system. They will be celebrated at a gala March 25.

"The honorees come from all walks of life and reflect the diversity that is Nassau BOCES," Deputy Superintendent Robert Hanna said. "Their work encourages the development of lifelong learners and global citizens, which mirrors our goals as well."

This year's individual honorees are: Frank Barrett, assistant principal at BOCES' Center for Community Adjustment; Carol Burris, principal of South Side High School in Rockville Centre; Terrence Clark, superintendent of Bethpage School District; Alan Javan Culbreath, a senior at Nassau BOCES' Rosemary Kennedy School in Wantagh; Amy Goldstein, principal of BOCES' Children's Readiness Center; Lorna Lewis, superintendent of Plainview-Old Bethpage School District; Bridget Lively, a senior at Island Trees High School in Levittown; Barbara Riess, a physics teacher at Baldwin High School; Jill Rooney, executive director of Harbor Child Care, a nonprofit with six locations in Nassau; Jenna Turato, a senior at H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square; Joseph Villani, a test assessing secondary completion preparation instructor at Hempstead School District's Adult & Community Education Program. Organizational honorees are Long Island Cares in Hauppauge and the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County.

LYNBROOK: Tablet initiative

Lynbrook north and south middle schools have launched a "One-to-World" tablet initiative that provided Dell Venue 11 Pro tablets to all sixth-graders. Students learned to use the devices in tutorials with teachers who attended training workshops, while orientation sessions were held to familiarize parents with the technology.

The 235 tablets are expected to help kids individualize their learning experiences, collaborate with peers, and develop skills needed for the 21st century, school officials said. The devices also provide access to digital resources at Lynbrook and East Rockaway public libraries.

"Students have been able to continue working and collaborating on in-class projects well after the dismissal bell," said North Principal Sean Fallon.

NASSAU COUNTY: 'Imagine That!'

Three Nassau County pupils were first-place winners in their age groups in an anti-bullying art contest, "Imagine That!" Art Education, an initiative directed by East Hampton author-artist Joyce Raimondo.

Addie Overend, a freshman at Garden City High School, won in the grades 7-12 division. Joey Hoffer, a sixth-grader at Manor Oaks William Bowie Elementary School in New Hyde Park, won in the grades 3-6 division. Sanáa Taylor, a second-grader at Hampton Street Elementary School in Mineola, won in the grades K-2 division.

Each first-place winner will have their design printed as "Imagine That!" fundraising greeting cards, Raimondo said.

ISLANDWIDE: Kohl's Cares

Kohl's Department Stores is accepting nominations for volunteers, from ages 6 to 18, who have made a positive impact on their community as part of its 2015 Kohl's Cares Scholarship Program, which will see more than 2,500 students issued $400,000 in scholarships and prizes. Nominations are accepted at kohlskids.com until March 13.

Ten national winners will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship, and Kohl's will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on each national winner's behalf. Nearly 200 students will win $1,000 regional scholarships. Nominators must be 21 or over.