Official: Island Park district’s 2 schools closed by flooding

Roads made impassable by flooding forced the Island Park school district to close Wednesday and cancel early morning activities for Thursday and Friday.

In a letter to parents, District Superintendent Rosmarie Bovino called the recent flooding from winter storms “difficult” and “disruptive” for students and families.

“February break cannot come soon enough,” she said in the letter.

The district’s two schools, Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School and Lincoln Orens Middle School, are expected to reopen Thursday; each was closed Wednesday because of flooding.

Bovino’s letter said early morning activities at both schools would be canceled for Thursday and Friday.

She said the district has been sending buses on second runs to pick up children from flooded bus stops.

The district also has been getting cooperation from Nassau County police, crossing guards and its staff, including custodians, administrators and clerical employees, the letter said.

For Thursday and Friday, schools are expected to be open, with buses scheduled to pick up children “who live in areas that are most susceptible to flooding.”

Students who board buses in susceptible areas will be identified, and parents and families of those children will be alerted about a specific pickup time about 7:30 a.m. Thursday, the letter said.

With high tides occurring about 10 a.m. Thursday and 11 a.m. Friday, “it should not affect the morning arrival nearly to the extent it did [Tuesday and Wednesday].”

Bovino also asked that parents not drive their children to school.

“Cars create additional challenges when the water is rising and they slow down our ability to move the children into the school building as quickly as possible,” the letter said. “Most importantly, buses are the safest mode of transportation.”