William Floyd teachers making face shields for LI Community Hospital

William Floyd High School technology teachers have been using their unique talents and the latest technology to help fulfill a critical need: creating personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically face shields, for the brave healthcare workers on the front lines at Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue. They are currently in the process of creating 500 face shields with the goal of having them ready by early next week.

William Floyd High School technology teachers Joseph Brand and Joseph Carpinone, along with assistant principal Robert Felicetta and Jackie Giacalone, lead teacher for business, family & consumer sciences, and technology, have been working hard to create the face shields that healthcare workers can use to help keep themselves safe while providing care for COVID-19 and patients with other illnesses.

When Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone’s office put the word out for the need for PPEs, William Floyd technology teachers answered the call. Using their two Full Spectrum laser cutters, they have been printing about 15-20 masks per hour and will continue over the next few days to meet this goal.

“We know that this is not a fight that can be won by one entity alone. It takes an entire community to be able to defeat this virus,” Bellone said. “The example that these [William Floyd] teachers are setting for their students, their colleagues, and the rest of our country is nothing short of extraordinary. We are immensely thankful for their contributions, and it is actions like these that will allow us to prevail.” 

The original design of the face shield was provided by RMS Laser Group in El Cajon, CA, a connection made by Carpinone. The technology teachers then took this design, which was provided in a pdf format, converted it and tweaked it in the AutoCAD program in order to fit with the material available.

In addition to the hard work by the technology teachers and the design provided by RMS Laser, this effort has been made possible through a generous donation from the William Floyd United Teachers and materials purchased at cost from Fine Line Routing in Mastic. The teachers have also been using supplies already on hand in their classrooms.

“I thank Mr. Bellone and his team for all of their efforts in fighting this pandemic right here in Suffolk County,” said Kevin Coster, superintendent of schools. “I’m grateful to our healthcare and frontline workers and proud that our school community is able to assist them in a tangible way.”