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Community members announce HBCU outreach event, Thanksgiving dinner; student speaker urges inclusion
Summary
During public comment, the Jamaica Square Civic Association announced an HBCU alumni panel and Divine 9 presentation for Nov. 17 and thanked the district for donating 1,100 backpacks. A nonprofit representative requested facility use for a Nov. 22 community Thanksgiving dinner. A student speaker called for visible supports and inclusion for LGBTQ+
Several public commenters used the Oct. 28 meeting to announce community events and press the board on inclusion.
Claudine Hall, president of the Jamaica Square Civic Association, thanked the district and administration for donating school supplies and said volunteers packed 1,100 backpacks. She announced a free HBCU alumni and Divine 9 panel planned for Nov. 17 at the Elmont Public Library intended for tenth- through twelfth-grade students from Elmont, Floral Park and Sewanhaka High School.
Representatives of the nonprofit Universal Interactions requested facility use for a Nov. 22 community Thanksgiving dinner. The presenters said they had submitted insurance and flyers and were directed to work with building principal/Miss Baker and the central office (Helen Hoffman) on facility-use application steps.
Christopher Seber, an ex officio student board member, relayed testimony from LGBTQ+ students about safety and inclusion in schools. Citing comments from a transgender student and an SAGA advisor, Seber said visible signals of inclusion such as Pride flags can signal safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students and urged the board to maintain "respect within our schools." The superintendent and assistant superintendent noted available counseling and staff supports and said students can access counselors, clinicians and building administrators if they do not feel safe.
No board action was taken on the community requests at the meeting; follow-up instructions were given to contact the central office and building administrators for facility use or event planning.
