By Sarah Moskowitz
"No one told me," said Lois Weiner, the parent of a fifth-grader. "I was completely unaware of the situation. I think the school is very safe and I don't think this one incident is going to affect school safety. You can't let it."
Weiner, who was on vacation with her family when the incident occurred, expected that other parents were in the dark as well. "I bet a lot of people were away and didn't even know," she said.
The remnants of a Molotov cocktail were recovered at Lynbrook School District's Waverly Park Elementary School on Dec. 20. The device was never inside the school, however.
PTA presidents at Waverly Park were notified of the incident, but the overall school population was not.
The East Rockaway Fire Department and Nassau County police officers responded to a report by a security guard who discovered a small fire upon his arrival at the school at 10 p.m. The fire was contained to the exterior of the building.
A smashed bottle was found on the upper ledge of a small window outside a music room, about seven feet off the ground, according to police. Damage included a broken outer windowpane and scorching on the northeast wall of the school. The damage was estimated at $1,000, according to Fire Investigator Joe Whittaker of the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office.
No suspects or motives have been identified.
"If we had any idea [why this happened], we would have had an arrest by now," said Whittaker.
Arson Bomb Squad Det. John Conley said it appeared that the attempted arson was committed by children. "If you wanted to cause damage to a school, this would not be the place to throw a bottle," said Conley.
He described what had occurred as "random criminal mischief" and added that there had been no recent threats or other similar incidents at the school.
"We're currently viewing this as an isolated incident," said Waverly Park Principal Lucille McAssey. "Fortunately the Molotov cocktail incurred little damage."
"I think we're very fortunate that the building didn't catch on fire," said Superintendent Bill Metkiff, who called the event "very upsetting" and added, "Somebody has some serious problems if that's what they do . . . for fun."
Metkiff said that if the offender was eventually caught, the district would prosecute to the fullest extent that it is permitted.
There has never been any incident of this nature or any kind of attempted arson at the schools, according to Metkiff. He said he has no idea why it happened.
Parents were surprised to hear about the vandalism, but it didn't change their opinion of the school. "It doesn't make me happy that someone feels they can come right up to the school in such a quiet residential neighborhood and throw something like that," said Diane Rothstein, who has a daughter in fourth grade. But, she added, she still considers the area to be safe.
"I still think this is a great school," said Waverly Avenue parent John Borghese. "It's a little bit shocking and I hope they catch this person. This is a school -- why would they want to destroy it?"
The Arson Bomb Squad and Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office are conducting an investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or the Fire Marshal's Office at (516) 742-3219.
