Superintendent credits staff for remote pivot, highlights SEL fair and Ramadan meal waiver

Superintendent Doctor Chase opened the public portion of the Westbury Union Free School District Board of Education meeting by thanking staff for the district's decision to pivot to remote learning during a recent winter storm and by praising custodial, grounds and food-service teams for keeping operations running.

Chase said the district served “over 2,000 meals” for students to take home during the closure and credited clerical and technology staff for ensuring attendance and continuity of learning. “While many school districts were closed, the learning continued,” the superintendent said, acknowledging staff and parents who supported remote instruction.

The superintendent and consultant Doctor Teresa Taylor Williams also recapped the district's fourth annual Social Emotional Learning (SEL) fair, reporting more than 400 participants and nearly 200 vendors. The SEL fair included screenings (breast, dental, vision), workshops and community partners. “Each year it’s gotten bigger and bigger,” Doctor Williams said, thanking staff and volunteers who organized the event.

Chase announced the district qualified for a Ramadan meal waiver and outlined an opt-in plan: families will receive a Google form in the coming days to request a to-go halal or vegetarian meal for students who fast during Ramadan (noted in the meeting as Feb. 16–Mar. 17). The meals will be available for pickup at designated locations at each school at dismissal so students can take them home to eat at sundown.

The superintendent thanked district partners by name for helping secure the waiver and said the district will follow up with families and post details online. Board members joined in publicly thanking custodians, food service staff and volunteers for their work during the storm and for the SEL fair.