______________
UNIONDALE _____________
HERALD BEACON
An afternoon of fun in uniondale
Back-to-school festival
Page 3
Page 10 $1.00 FREE
SEPTEmBER 12 - 18, 2024
Eight-year-old author tops Amazon charts noes are erupting because of the red volcano,” Jomo explained about the first book in the series. He was motivated to write his Add best-selling author to the list of accomplishments for stories about emotions because 8-year-old Jomo Jesus Thomas he said he’s good at managing his emotions and wants to teach Suriel of Uniondale. Jomo’s newest book, “The other kids the same skills and A n g r y Va c u u m , ” re c e n t ly ideas. “I hope they achieved the No. 1 lear n to control ranking on Amatheir emotions,” he zon’s new releases in said about other the Children’s Referkids reading his ence Education catebooks. “I don’t want gory shortly after its to just be the only release on Sept. 1. k i d t h a t k n ow s “The Angry Vacabout emotions, so uum” follows two I’d rather share it child superheroes, with other kids.” Sid the Super Happy Jomo published Kid and Laura the his first book, Emotions Explorer, “Super Happy Kid who both can help Defeats the other kids manage Jomo JESuS Angries,” in June their emotions. They 2021 when he was take on the chal- ThomAS SuRIEL just four years old. lenge to stop a robot Author He said his ideas vacuum that tries to just come into his mind. suck up all the good feelings of “It was in my mind, and then I the world, according to the sumstarted to think, and then I came mary of the book on Amazon. This book is the second in the up with it,” he said. The book is about Sam the series, with the first, “The Emotions Volcano,” released in Super Happy Kid learning how to make better decisions through August. “It’s about when Sam the his behavior and his emotions, Super Happy Kid and Laura the and he learns how to defeat the Emotions Explorer flew up to “angries,” or angry emotions. this planet where all these volcaContinued on page 14
By KELSIE RADZISKI
kradziski@liherald.com
I
Tim Baker/Herald
pre-K students John Kennedy St. preux, far left, ace Xavier White and Zavier Smith lined up at grand avenue elementary School.
Back to school for Uniondale students Excitement after 2023-24’s record graduation rate By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
Uniondale students were ready to get the 2024-25 school year started on Sept. 3, their first day of classes. Herds of students gathered in front of their schools to pose for photos before meeting new teachers and classmates and preparing for a year of learning. School district officials were excited to welcome students, teachers and staff, and were looking forward to working with the community to “provide a year filled with new opportunities, enhanced programs, and a continued commitment to academic excellence,” according to a news release. “Uniondale is thrilled to welcome back our students and staff for another year of
growth, learning, and community building in all of our schools,” Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil said in the release. “This summer, our administrators, faculty, and staff, especially our facilities team, worked tirelessly to prepare our buildings and grounds for the new school year. Their dedication ensures that we continue to provide a safe and nurturing environment where every student can reach their full potential.” This year, the district is implementing new initiatives for students at all grade levels, especially in the elementary schools. Elementary students will have a Digital Explorers course in which they will learn keyboarding basics, coding and Vex robotics, a Continued on page 9
don’t want to just be the only kid that knows about emotions, so I’d rather share it with other kids.