The-Leader_2005-11-24

              Welcome to The leader's Holiday Issue!
Freeportcoaclihonored...mis
St. Christopher Students help
ITi lOr iD
Ji JnLJii
70th Year, No. 47 Freeport, N.Yr:i520
The Community Newspaper
Thursday, November 24, 2005 500
More than 200 parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other adults important in a young child's life attended the annual "Special Persons Day" at Archer Street School recently.
Assembled in the gym, the parents and
their children were seated by the child's
grade; the families had breakfast together
and had the chance to talk about their chil-
di'en's classes and activities with teachers
Jand administrators from the school.
I Later, the "special persons" accompanied
|their children to classes and participated ini
jclass activities. Archer Street Principal Paula;
^Lein said that the activity has been a well-:
^attended event at the school for many years
|and is another effort by the school to encour-
|age adults to become involved in the aca-
fdemic and social developrnent of the chil-
idren they care for.
"By^ engaging parents and other adults important to the children's lives in all the activities here," Ms. Lein said, "we make it more inviting for them to keep in regular contact with us regarding their child's progress."
Thirteen students were suspended from Freeport High School on Thursday, November 17, after a fight escalated in the cafeteria.
The altercation began on Wednesday, November 16, just off campus, during a fire alarm evacuation of the building and then esca­lated on Thursday. The Freeport police were called to the scene.
According to Freeport Police Chief Michael Woodward, there were no injuries and no arrests were made. Chief Woodward told The Leader that four of the boys involved in the altercation • are from the same family. "They appear to be involved in a bitter feud with a group of other students who live in the same neighborhood," said Chief Woodward.
Then on Thursday evening, November 17, a shot was fired on Shonnard Street near Parsons. "The bullet did strike a house and a vehicle was seen near the area," said Chief Woodward. The Freeport police are still investigating whether the two incidents are related. "No one has come forward," said Chief Woodward. "This is still an open investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call the police." The number is 378-3784, or 278-0700.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the Freeport School District, said they are also "still investigating these incidents, including any pos­sible gang involvement." The high school cam­pus remains closed for the time being.
When Nassau County police approached a suspicious car in Baldwin, Monday morn­ing, November 21, a shootout occurred between police and the suspects, according to Freeport Police Chief Michael Woodward.
The Freeport police were called in to assist the First Precinct. According to Chief Woodward, the police were staking out the suspects as potential bank robbers and stopped the car. "One individual opened fire and the police returned fire."
There are five suspects; two are under arrest. The remaining three fled on foot. At press time, they were still at large. One may be injured.
Alisa Ammerman of Marion Place arrived home at about 9:30 a.m. and was told by the police "that my street was a crime scene. The K-9 units were going through all the back­yards," said Ms. Ammerman. She added that the suspects' car was still on Marion Place. "The [suspects] car is parked up on the side­walk, one wheel is in the street and the doors
PAUL KELLER, A RETIRED COLLEGE TEACHER, is a volunteer tutor at the Archer Street School as part of an education-outreach program conducted by the National Council of Jewish Women; he was asked by one of the three stu­dents he works with to attend the Special Persons Day at the school. Here, he enjoys a breakfast with another student, first-grader Daequan Graham.
are still open. No one has moved it yet," she said.
Cristina Schmol, public information officer for the Baldwin School District, informed The Leader that all Baldwin schools were locked down' at about 9:30 a.m.
Sue Morgan, speaking on behalf of Freeport Schools, said the district had
also locked down their schools.
Other districts followed suit. Merrick School District locked down their three elementary schools including Birch, Chatterton and Levy-Lakeside. Rockville Centre, Hempstead, Lynbrook and East Rockaway School Districts also took steps to lock down some of their schools.