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Vol. 32 No. 36
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Commuters push back on MTA hikes MTA is proposing an average 4.4 percent fare hike on oneway peak, monthly, and weekly of the Baldwin Herald tickets. Off-peak city tickets Baldwin commuters could would increase by 25 cents, to soon face higher ticket prices $5.25, and peak city trips would and stricter rules for riding the rise to $7.25. Monthly tickets Long Island Rail Road, under a would be capped at $500. In addition to the price Metropolitan Transportation Authority proposal that has hikes, the MTA plans to overstirred pushback across the haul its ticketing system. All region. o n e - w ay m o b i l e The MTA board tickets would autofaced strong opposimatically activate tion at its headupon purchase and quarters in Brookexpire within four l y n Au g . 1 9 - 2 0 , hours. Paper tickwhen commuters ets would follow packed public hearthe same rule. Curings to challenge rently, those tickets the agency’s plan to remain valid for up raise ticket and toll to 60 days, with prices starting in 10-trip passes lastJessIe lAZArus January 2026. ing six months. The T h e p r o p o s a l , MTA Chief of n ew f r a m ewo rk released July 30, Commercial Ventures eliminates the wo u l d m a rk t h e round-trip ticket in MTA’s first increases since favor of a “Day Pass,” which August 2023, when both fares would allow unlimited travel and tolls climbed by more than until 4 a.m. the next morning 4 percent. Officials say the Some Baldwin commuters hikes are necessary to main- are concerned about how the tain service levels and support changes could impact their a transit system still recover- daily routines. ing from the financial strain of Naresh Singh, who lives in the pandemic. Baldwin and takes the LIRR One of the more notable into Grand Central Madison changes would be on the Long twice a week, said he accepts Island Rail Road, where the
by brIAN KACHArAbA & HerNesto GAlDAmeZ
Courtesy Sophea Sainsurin
Meadow Elementary School PTA received the National PTA’s highest honor, the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Outstanding Family-School Partnership Award.
Meadow PTA earns top honor Group recognized for building inclusive community by HerNesto GAlDAmeZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
The Meadow Elementary School PTA, in Baldwin, has received the National PTA’s highest honor, the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Outstanding Family-School Partnership Award, in recognition of its efforts to build a more inclusive and connected school community. The award, which comes with a $2,000 grant to support family engagement, distinguishes Meadow Elementary as a School of Excellence. “Receiving this award is both humbling and affirming,” PTA Co-President Sophea Sainsurin, who also served as co-chair of Meadow’s School of Excellence program, wrote in an email to the Herald. “It validates the intentional work we’ve done to create a school where every family feels welcome, every culture is celebrated, and every voice is valued. It tells our families — past, present, and future — that they truly belong here.” Sainsurin added that one of the PTA’s big-
gest challenges was ensuring that all school families — not just the most active ones — felt represented. To address that, the PTA expanded communication, offered surveys in Spanish, provided child care and studentfriendly programming during meetings, and created welcoming spaces for families to share input. The PTA’s cultural celebrations, including its annual Multicultural Festival, became highlights of the school year. Families shared their traditions while students showcased their heritage, creating “joyful, authentic moments where children saw their cultures honored,” Sainsurin wrote. The group was also recognized at the state level for its literacy efforts, winning the New York State PTA Pick A Reading Partner Award and a $250 prize for its “Meadow Candyland — Reading is a Sweet Treat” program. The initiative featured themed dress-up days, community guest readers and free book giveaways designed to make reading fun and engaging. “Being awarded at the national level was CONTiNuEd ON PAgE 3
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e strive to make fare, and toll increases small and predictable.
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