JANUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

	The HABTF is a non-partisan group formed by the Town of Huntington in conjunction with the Suffolk County Anti-Bias Task Force. It is made up of concerned clergy, community representatives and lay persons who work together to address the issue of intolerance, prejudice, discrimination and racism in any segment of our Town. We've been meeting monthly since January 2019 and have accomplished quite a lot. Upcoming meetings are 1 PM Wed Jan 26d Feb 23 (4th Wed). For more information about HABTF, click www.huntingtonny.gov/abtf. Send suspected bias incidents to: Town of Huntington Anti-Bias Task Force Department of Human Services (Room 203) Attn: Carmen Kasper, Director 423 Park Ave, Huntington, NY 11743 631-351-3304 antibias@huntingtonny.gov Also contact SCPD Hate Crimes Unit at 631-852-6323 Click here to read HABTF Oct 2021 Newsletter Click here to read HABTF Aug 2021 Newsletter Table of Contents -- 2nd Precinct SCPD Report -- AJC Presentation on Antisemitism -- Huntington HS Restorative Practice -- Parents for DEI -- Equity, Inclusivity and Diversity in Education Regulation -- Social Justice Ambassadors Program
2nd Precinct SCPD Report
	By Inspector William Scrima During the months of October and November, there were two significant incidents in The Second Precinct that were reported to have elements of bias: On 10/12/21, biased texts were sent to a transgender juvenile. The Hate Crimes Unit is investigating. On 10/13/21, graffiti, which included racial and religious slurs, was discovered at John Glenn High School. The school requested that the incident be documented only. News Update: On 9/16/21, a Zoom meeting held by Temple Beth David in Commack was interrupted with antisemitic and pornographic images. An arrest has been made by the Hate Crimes Unit. Upcoming Events: Coffee with a Cop will be held on 01/19/22 at 12PM -2PM at Walt Whitman Shops Spanish-speaking Community Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2022 at 6:30 PM at the Second Precinct Police Explorers: We are looking for individuals ages 14-20 who are interested in law enforcement to join our Police Explorers. For more information contact Police Officer Wustenhoff: 631-854-8250 or Jaime.Wustenhoff@suffolkcountyny.gov Click here to check out 2nd Precinct News on Twitter Click here for the 2nd Precinct Community Meeting Schedule For more information, please visit the 2nd Precinct department Website at www.suffolkpd.org. back to top
AJC Presentation on Antisemitism
	By Eric Post American Jewish Committee's (AJC) State of Antisemitism in America Report 2021 was released in late October on the eve of the third anniversary of the Tree of Life synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh, where 11 worshippers were killed. It is based on parallel surveys of American Jews and the U.S. general public on their perceptions and experiences of antisemitism in the U.S. There were four key takaways. Nine out of ten American Jews believe antisemitism is spreading in the U.S. and eight out of ten believe Jew hatred has been on the rise in the last five years. There is a large discrepancy within the general public, where only 60% think antisemitism is a problem and 44% believe believe it has increased over the past five years. Second, U.S. adults were far less likely than American Jews to have heard about the wave of violent antisemitism in May 2021. Only 48% of the general public said they had heard "a lot" or "some" about Jews being attacked during that period, compared to 71% of American Jews who said the same. Significantly, of the large majority of American Jews who heard about the attacks on Jews in May 2021, 72% said it made them feel less safe as Jews in the United States. Click here to read more > > back to top
Huntington H.S. Restorative Practice
	by Brenden Cusack Restorative Practice is both a philosophy and a process in which: There is acknowledgment that when harm is done it affects every member of the community The goal is to repair the harm that has been done and to restore order Discipline is done "with" an individual rather that "to" him or her Restoration takes the place of retribution Traditional Discipline questions are: What rule was broken? Who broke the rule? What punishment is warranted? Restoative Practice questions are: Who was harmed by the incident? What are the needs of all involved? How can all parties address these needs and repair the harm? Click here to read more > > back to top
Parents for DEI
	by Nancy Goroff Parents for DEI is a collective of Parents, Students, Educators and Community Members on Long Island who support the NYS Board of Regents call to Action to advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in schools across New York State. On Oct 17, 2021 Parents for DEI teamed with other advocate organizations at a Rally at the LIE Welcome Center. Click here to read more > > back to top
Equity, Inclusivity and Diversity in Education Regulation
	by Ken Bossert EdD from NYSSBA 0105-R The New York State Education Department has prioritized curriculum work focused on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (D.E.I.). As part of that effort, local Boards of Education have been encouraged to adopt policies and regulations to make certain this focus takes place in every district in New York State. Below is a policy -- and accompanying regulations -- that were drafted by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) for consideration by each local school board. The following outlines the process for achieving educational equity and the elimination of barriers and bias, particularly institutionalized racism and cultural biases, and disparities that limit a student's chance to graduate high school prepared for college, for a career, and for life. Eliminate and Disrupt Systemic Inequities The Board of Education believes that all students can learn and that every student has a right to an equitable educational experience and a sense of belonging at school. Ensure Systemic Equity To ensure educational equity for all, the district will develop the individual and organizational knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices to create culturally responsive learning and working environments Use Data and Metrics The district will ensure that information related to students is used as a data set in school improvement efforts Implement an Equity Lens The purpose of an equity lens is to be intentionally inclusive as the district makes decisions. Monitoring and Review The Superintendent of Schools, in consultation with the Board, will monitor our effectiveness, and report on the progress of the district's equity goals outlined in this plan. Click here to read more > > back to top
Social Justice Ambassadors Program
	by Jane Pashman We are very excited to launch the 2021-2022 Social Justice Ambassadors Program in January 2022. The program, a partnership between the Huntington Anti-Bias Task Force and the Suffolk Y JCC, offers an opportunity to bring together high school students in the Town of Huntington and empower them with the tools and knowledge they need to be leaders and agents of positive change in their schools and communities. Ambassadors will meet for a series of 6 workshops from January through April 2022. During each session, students will explore topics of bias, learn to identify resources and strategies to combat bias, and work collaboratively to develop projects to share their knowledge with their school and community. Open discussion and dialogue are encouraged during the program, and the students are able to learn, not only from the presenters, but also from their peers from other neighboring schools and communities. back to top