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Vol. 32 No. 41
oCToBER 9 - 15, 2025
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Coffee and a convo with the superintendent PTA across the district joined the inaugural meeting, where they shared aspirations for A n t h o n y M i g n e l l a h a s their children and the schools. launched a unique initiative in Parents and guardians jotted his first months as the new down their thoughts on poster superintendent of the Baldwin paper during a “gallery walk” School District, sitting down exercise, later reviewing one with parent leaders for coffee, another’s ideas posted around the cafeteria. baked goods and conversation. Several themes emerged The first informal gathering, from the session, which took place on including a call for Aug. 7, marked the stronger family start of Mignella’s partnerships, more Coffee & Conversaafter-school enrichtion series, part of his Listen & Learn ment opportunities, initiative aimed at an emphasis on building stronger social-emotional partnerships with learning and safety, families. and transparent “Our commitcommunication ment to creating a from the district. school district that Parents also ANTHoNy is innovative and expressed interest future-focused is MIGNEllA in more cultural one that needs to and communityinclude our famibased experiences lies as partners,” Mignella said for students, as well as proin a statement. “These open dis- grams for elementary school cussions are invaluable, and I students that would make the am grateful for this opportunity transition to middle school easto engage directly with our ier for them. community and look forward to Sophea Sainsurin, co-presicontinuing these important dent of the Meadow Elementaconversations to ensure that ry School PTA, said the session the needs of every student are created a unique space for PTA fully supported.” leaders to have an honest Representatives from each
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
I
Courtesy Arlene Gomez
A still life of pears, titled “Tasty and Timeless,” highlights Arlene Gomez’s ability to blend realism with expressionism.
Baldwin artist’s work is on display at recreation center By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
This month, the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport’s Art Alcove, at the Recreation Center, features the work of Arlene Gomez, a Baldwin resident whose journey as an artist has been as rich and varied as the landscapes she paints. Gomez’s story is one of movement, adaptation and a lifelong search for belonging, both in her community and in her art. The path that Gomez, 72, took to the Freeport exhibit began with a nudge from her local senior citizens club. She recalls that her tutor, Ralph Cappozzi, encouraged her to submit her work to the council, which was seeking artists to exhibit during Hispanic
Heritage Month, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Although she identifies as “Puerto Rican, Spaniard, American,” Gomez insists that her art is not focused on her heritage. “I do more expressionistic, but then realistic at the same time,” she said, noting that her paintings are primarily landscapes. Born Arlene Bracero-Vallejo in Brooklyn to a military family, she spent her early childhood in Germany before returning to New York. She describes a childhood shaped by frequent moves, and a close-knit family. “We traveled to Germany, military-style, and I was raised there until I was about 8 years old,” she explained. After returning to Brooklyn, her family lived with her grandparents before settling ConTinued on pAGe 16
am grateful for this opportunity to engage directly with our community.
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