Investing in the next generation Page 5 VOL. 28 NO. 27
A Lasting Tribute to Freedom
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JULY 2 - 8, 2026
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Franklin Square students make music and history By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com
Courtesy Franklin Square School District
Washington Street School’s jazz band celebrates with director Jason O’Connor after earning a Superior rating at the Long Island Music Festival, marking the school’s first appearance at the event.
The jazz band at Washington Street School in Franklin Square made school history this spring, earning the highest possible rating in its first-ever appearance at the Long Island Music Festival. The 57-member ensemble, led by band director Jason O’Connor, performed at Suffolk County Community College on May 28, representing Franklin Square alongside student ensembles from elementary, middle and high schools across Long Island. The annual festival sees students perform in front of professional adjudicators, who then evaluate the musical performance and artistry while offering feedback. In its first appearance at the festival, the jazz band received a Superior rating, the highest possible ranking. After months of preparation, the students performed two selections — Charlie Parker’s “Now’s the Time” and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” — earning ratings of 94 CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Lawmakers condemn a Supreme Court TPS ruling By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com
Lawmakers representing Elmont, home to a large Haitian American population, are condemning a U.S. Supreme Court decision on June 25 allowing the Trump administration to move forward with terminating Temporary Protected Status for Haitian recipients. Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages her brother, Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages, who are of Haitian heritage, said the ruling threatens families who have built lives in the United States and could have significant humanitarian and
economic consequences for Long Island. U. S . Re p. L a u r a G i l l e n weighed in as well, saying the decision “puts our friends’ and neighbors’ lives at risk,” and argued that it could force Haitian TPS holders to return to a country still facing severe violence and instability. Gillen said she had “stood shoulder to shoulder” with the Haitian community on Long Island throughout efforts to oppose the termination of TPS, and has continued to advocate for protections at the federal level. She said she has “fought this termination in the courts,” and pledged continued action
in Congress to extend legal safeguards. She also described Haitian TPS recipients as “a fundamental part of our vibrant identity on Long Island,” and warned that removing them would have both humanitarian and economic consequences. Michaelle Solages strongly condemned the ruling, calling it “a devastating betrayal of America’s values.” She said that TPS exists to protect people fleeing crises, and pointed to conditions in Haiti, including “unprecedented levels of gang violence, political turmoil, economic collapse and i n s e c u r i t y, ” a r g u i n g t h a t
returning people under those circumstances would be dangerous and irresponsible. Solages added that Haitian families are deeply embedded in communities across New York, and that they work as nurses, educators, small-business owners and essential workers and have built longterm lives in the United States.
The Supreme Court decision, she said, sends what she called a “chilling message” by prioritizing politics over people and undermining the humanitarian intent of TPS. Solages called on Congress to act quickly to provide permanent protections for TPS holders. Carrié Solages said the rulCONTINUED ON PAGE 8