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School News

Friday, May 18, 2012

Poll: Most Dangerous School Zones

What are the most worrying roads and intersections near Syosset schools?

With the weather heating up and Memorial Day around the corner, Syosset and Woodbury children will be outside, flooding parks and walking or biking home from school. Although some schools are nestled in the back roads of town where cars rarely travel, others are on main roads where accidents are waiting to happen. Some parents have to worry more than others if their child is walking home from school or heading to afterschool hangouts in downtown Syosset or Woodbury Plaza. What school area do you think is the most dangerous for young pedestrians? Which areas are friendliest to young walkers? Are there areas where parents would never consider allowing their child to walk? Vote in the poll below and give us your thoughts in the comments!

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Heather Doyle

1:37 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012

Looks like the high school is one of the bigger sources of grief. What in particular makes that area dangerous? How could it be improved?   more ›

After Landslide Victory, Lafazan Prepares for New Post

Newly elected Josh Lafazan ends campaign, begins work.

Though school board elections rarely gain regional attention, being elected before you've finished your AP exams causes quite a stir. Syosset made headlines across New York when residents overwhelmingly elected 18-year-old Joshua Lafazan to their Board of Education Tuesday. Since Lafazan's landslide victory was met with thunderous cheers Tuesday night, the youngest board member in Syosset history has been on a tiring tour of interviews. And he couldn't be more grateful. "The amount of support I've received has made me so proud to be a student in Syosset," said Lafazan. "None of this would have been possible without the constant support and help from my family, friends, neighbors, supporters…everyone." A high school student winning a school…

In this Article:

Syosset Votes 18-Year-Old to School Board, South Woods Middle School, and Update: Syosset Parent Accused of Stealing Election Documents

Thursday, May 17, 2012

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Photos: Syosset 'Relays' for Cancer

Annual Relay for Life at Syosset High School draws hundreds.

A lone bagpiper marched around the Syosset High School track Saturday night, whining the tune of "Amazing Grace." As the last notes echoed across the field, the only sound to be heard was quiet footsteps of hundreds of people behind him. Though they were from very different backgrounds, residents of all ages came together as one ever-growing family touched by cancer. Many walked in honor of their fallen teacher, Jeffrey Rozran, who died of lung cancer in April. One of Rozran's charities of choice was the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. Do you have photos from Relay for Life? Share them here using the "Upload Photos and Videos" button.

In this Article:

Syosset Senior High School and Hundreds Mourn Loss of a 'Teacher's Teacher'

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

New Syosset BOE Looks Toward Future

New and returning board members end campaigns, begin working.

New and returning Syosset Board of Education members say they are looking forward to the post-election period. After the dramatic campaign that ended in the unseating of an incumbent and the election of two newcomers, one a high school senior, all are ready to finally get down to business. "I was disappointed about the negativity surrounding the election process, but that's in the past now…the community expressed their opinion and we [the board] represent it," said reelected board member Alan Resnick. Board member Michael Cohen agreed, saying, "We [the board] are nine volunteers working to do what we think is best for the community...and now we can recognize our differences and move forward while working together." After the trying days …

In this Article:

Syosset Votes 18-Year-Old to School Board and Update: Syosset Parent Accused of Stealing Election Documents

Syosset Votes 18-Year-Old to School Board

School budget passes; Joshua Lafazan elected to school board with 82 percent of vote Tuesday.

LONG ISLAND, NY -- In a dramatic and historic statement by voters, an 18-year-old high school senior was elected to the Syosset School District's Board of Education Tuesday night. Calling himself "A fresh voice for the 21st century," teenager Joshua Lafazan earned a seat on the board, joining Christopher DiFilippo and Alan Resnick. Lafazan won with a remarkable tally of 4,739 ballots or 82 percent of the vote. DiFilippo garnered the second-most votes with 2,531, followed by Resnick (2,474). Syosset school officials also announced that the $198 million 2012-13 budget passed by 61 percent, 3,530-2,271. Voters also reelected Robert Glick to the Syosset Public Library board. News crews joined hundreds of Syosset residents, many of them …

In this Article:

Syosset Senior High School, Syosset Public Library, South Woods Middle School, and 6 more ›

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Election and Budget Vote Cheat Sheet

Everything you need to know before you cast your vote Tuesday.

Tuesday is election day in Syosset and residents are anxiously awaiting the results. If you haven't checked out our coverage or you're a last minute kind of guy or gal, here is everything you need to know before you cast your vote. Where to vote: All Syosset district elementary schools. When to vote: Tues., May 15 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Syosset Public Library Candidate Robert Glick is running unopposed for reelection to the library board. Syosset School Board Five candidates are vying for three positions on the Syosset Board of Education. Candidates include incumbent Sonia Rutigliano, incumbent Dr. Alan Resnick, John Moore, Joshua Lazafan, and Christopher DiFilippo. Ballot #1: Christopher DiFilippo Ballot #2: Dr. Alan Resnick Ballot #3: …

In this Article:

Syosset Public Library

Poll: Election Day Surprises

What was your reaction to the Tuesday results?

  • SCHOOLS
  • Tuesday, May 15

Syosset made headlines Tuesday when they elected 18-year-old Joshua Lafazan to the Board of Education along with newcomer Christopher DiFilippo and incumbent Alan Resnick. The tumultuous results were broadcast around Long Island and the metropolitan area to New Yorkers who had followed the story for weeks. Social media blew up with reactions and a new hashtag, #InLaffyWeTrust, flooded Twitter feeds. What was your reaction to the vote? What did you think of the young voter turnout? Do you think if the entire town voted, the results would have been different? Vote in the poll below and tell us in the comments.

In this Article:

Syosset Votes 18-Year-Old to School Board

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Howie

10:26 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

While the robocall stunt was obviously a smear tactic that failed miserably, it would be quite hypocritical of Josh or his Dad to bring suit against the district. As warranted as it may seem or be, it would be completely contrary to his stated goals of saving the district money. If he were to sue, win, and be awarded any sum of money, who do you think would be footing that bill? You guessed it. …   more ›

Syosset Council of PTAs: Budget Vote

A letter from the president asking to pass the budget.

  • SCHOOLS
  • Tuesday, May 15

Letter to the Editor: On Tuesday, May 15th, the annual school budget season will come to an end with voting on the 2012-13 budget. It has been a difficult season. From the new tax caps to new unfunded mandates to new reductions in state aid, we have been faced with many challenges. However, our School Board, along with our Superintendent, have been able to produce a budget that preserves all programs and services for each and every student. With approximately 96% of the budget out of our control, this is not an easy challenge. Nevertheless, because of strategic planning from past budgets, we were able to use some of our Reserve Funds, and with the enormous generosity of our employees agreeing to a second 1/2 year wage freeze and an …

jack

3:12 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

RESIDENTS OF SYOSSET, YOU HAVE JUST BEEN RIPPED OFF BY CAROL HANKIN, ALL THE TEACHERS AND THE PTA'S ROBERTA DOCHTER, HOW DARE YOU STEAL MORE OF OUR HARD EARNED MONEY, THERE ARE TEACHERS OUT THERE WHO WOULD WORK FOR HALF YOUR OUTRAGEOUS SALARIES, WE SHOULD FIRE EVERYBODY AND REPLACE THEM WITH LESS GREEDY TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO WOULD APPRECIATE JUST HAVING A JOB   more ›

Update: Syosset Parent Accused of Stealing Election Documents

Parent of school board candidate walks out of district office Monday with absentee ballot paperwork, school alleges. Lafazan said the documents have since been returned to the police.

The father of a Syosset High School student and Board of Education candidate is being accused by the school district of stealing absentee ballot information. Jeffrey Lafazan, father of Josh Lafazan, went to the district's central offices and took a list of names and addresses of absentee voters -- a list he said he believed to be a copy for his own use. The district board of education elections and budget vote are Tuesday. Josh Lafazan is one of five candidates running for three open positions on the school board. "I went to the district to look at the absentee ballots because I expected many college students to send them in," said Jeffrey Lafazan, who went to Syosset's central administrative offices at noon Monday to look at the documents…

In this Article:

Syosset Senior High School, Election and Budget Vote Cheat Sheet, Syosset Student Provides 'Saferide' Home, and 1 more ›

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Last Chance: Know Your Board of Ed Candidates

Thursday night is the last chance to meet and question candidates.

Syosset voters: take note. Thursday night is your one and only chance to meet all your Syosset Board of Education candidates at once before the May 15 vote. The Syosset Council of PTAs presents the Know Your Candidate Forum in the South Woods Middle School auditorium at 8 p.m. Thursday night. The League of Women Voters of Nassau County will moderate this question and answer session for residents to meet the five candidates. According to the PTA council, the board of education ballots will read: If you do miss out on the forum, check the Local Voices section of Patch, as each board candidate is blogging about themselves and their platform. Is there an important deadline or event coming up? Tell us in the comments and we'll consider it for …

In this Article:

South Woods Middle School

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Most Popular Articles

  1. Syosset Votes 18-Year-Old to School Board
  2. Update: Syosset Parent Accused of Stealing Election Documents
  3. Election and Budget Vote Cheat Sheet
  4. Syosset Council of PTAs: Budget Vote
  5. New Syosset BOE Looks Toward Future

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