for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com may 30, 2013 • The CourieR SUN 3 Idea took shape at P.S./M.S. 207 BY LOGAN MILLER [email protected] What began as an idea soon took on a life of its own at P.S./M.S. 207Q. Students in the Howard Beach school’s idea club were tasked with the question, “How can we improve our school?” After receiving a plethora THE COURIER/Photo by Logan Miller Mrs. O’Brien and Ms. McNamee with students from class K-01. kids shine and showcase their artistic abilities outside of the academics.” “We were out of the building for two months and so many gave to us that we wanted to give back,” said Principal Linda Spadaro. “The students are writing thank you cards to those who helped us ... this brought the whole school together and gave us a great sense of our school, community and country spirit.” THE COURIER/Photo by Terence M. Cullen of suggestions, the club made its decision and chose an “around the states” theme for school spirit week. Each class was assigned a state and spent time researching everything from the song to the state bird. Students decorated every classroom door with themes from the states as part of a competition. “The parents really liked the idea that we celebrated U.S. culture,” said Nina DeBlasio, the school’s parent coordinator. They “loved how excited their children are to come to school.” “It really brought the whole school — students, faculty, and staff — together in unity,” said Barbara King, technology teacher and moderator of the idea club. Students also dressed in spirit attire every day of the week, which culminated with a “spring fling” musical by the school’s chorus and band. “As a parent, I’m extremely proud of how we handled being one of the most damaged schools” during Sandy, said Margaret Scarpati, mother of a sixth grader. “Our students were sent to two different schools following the storm, and to watch them come back, as well as the way they have welcomed everyone back, has been so nice. It’s great to let Councilmember Eric Ulrich, Frances Scarantino, Frank Gulluscio, Emilianna and Michael Siderakis and State Senator Joseph Addabbo. The Cross Bay Diner reopened on Friday, May 24 after being closed nearly seven months due to Sandy damage. The diner’s reopening marks another step forward for the community, where ever fewer businesses remain shuttered because of the storm. Michael Siderakis, the owner of Cross Bay Diner, State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Councilmember Eric Ulrich and community members Frances Scarantino and Frank Gulluscio cut the ribbon to mark the popular THE ROAD TO RECOVERY IN ROCKAWAY BEACH BY LOGAN MILLER [email protected] The sun is out and the shore is open, but not everything is back to normal at Rockaway Beach. There is still work to be done to restore the beach to the way things were before Sandy devastated the Rockaway community in November. An uprooted boardwalk, damaged homes and buildings as well as a destroyed sea wall are some of the problems the community has faced the past seven months. Rockaway Beach officially reopened on Friday, May 24. Christine Charles, a local who tries to make her way to the beach every day, said homeowners have tried their best with whatever resources are available. “The city has done well overall helping us rebuild,” she said. “But with no full seawall yet, sand continues to get pushed onto the streets closest to the water during heavy winds.” Other residents were not as happy with efforts to restore the beach. “It’s been terrible,” said resident Cassie Mulholand. “We’ve been forgotten compared to the Jersey Shore, Coney Island and other beach areas, They need to be more active in getting the beach walls up again, as well as the boardwalk.” Those working on the beach this summer are anxious to see how residents and visitors respond to the changes. “This should be an exciting, but interesting summer,” said Morgan White, who has worked the last six summers as a lifeguard on Rockaway Beach. “The fact that we don’t have a boardwalk right now will definitely change things. It should be interesting to see if more beachgoers come to Rockaway Beach with some of the other beaches closed.” According to the Parks Department’s website, “boardwalk islands” will provide a way for people to walk from the streets to the beach at multiple points along the seven-mile beachfront. The Department of Environmental Protection is working with the Department of Transportation to build four-foot-high concrete walls that extend above the sand between Beach 126th and Beach 149th Street. The planned walls will be a foot taller than those in place now. Sandy’s aftereffects could extend beyond the beach itself. John Biscaino, a five-year lifeguard at Rockaway Beach, said there are concerns about the storm’s effects on the water. “Overall, the beach has definitely changed,” he said. “There’s less sand than before, and it’s causing new rip tides we need to look out for.” Garden Center • Seasonal Decor Landscaping • Irrigation 125 Crossbay Blvd. • Broad Channel Diner back in biz BY TERE NCE M. CULLEN [email protected] eatery’s reopening. at the root of all your garden needs. 718.855.543.NURSERY (6877)
SC05302013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above