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Graduation Keepsake
Edition
June 25, 2026
UNIONDALE _____________
HERALD BEACON
GRADUATES
Meet the
2026
Vol. 76 No. 26
PTA’s Juneteenth celebration
Watching the World Cup
Page 2
Page 3
JuNe 25 - JulY 1, 2026
$1.00
Library pursues long-sought expansion site ing for so we can move forward with any plans to get a new library,” Deborah Mabry, presiFor years, leaders at the Union- dent of the library’s board of dale Public Library on Uniondale trustees, said at its June 17 monthAvenue have pursued the same ly meeting. “We know it will take goal: securing enough space to a while, but we need a piece of land to put it on.” build a larger facility Now, library offithat can better serve the community’s cials are hoping growing needs. another transition at Much of that effort the top of the East has centered on propMeadow hospital syserty adjacent to the A. tem will finally creHolly Patterson ate a path forward. Extended Care FaciliThe access for stuty on Jerusalem Avedents is beneficial for nue, which library Turtle Hook Middle officials have identiSchool on Jerusalem fied as the most viable Avenue being the location for a future closest school to library. But each time Holly Patterson. it seemed progress The library’s was being made, board of trustees changes in leadership said at its June meetat Nassau University ing that it expects to Medical Center forced DeBoRAh MABRY meet with new leaddiscussions to start Uniondale Public ership at NUMC, in Library board over again. its continuing efforts The Holly Patter- president to secure land for a son facility, in Unionnew library building. dale, is operated by “We met with legthe Nassau Health Care Corpora- islator (Olena) Nicks,” Mabry tion, the public entity that also said. “She said give us some time oversees Nassau University Medi- and then we’ll be meeting with the cal Center. new CEO of the (hospital) board.” “We still have a goal of getting Nicks said in a statement on that plot of land that we’re look-
By STACY DRIKS
sdriks@liherald.com
W
Stu Goldman/Herald photos
A different environment for education Students at Smith Street Elementary School enjoyed a day of outdoor fun and friendly competition during Field Day on June 3, as the entire school took a break from classroom routines for activities organized by physical education teacher Freddy Vidal. Above, secondgrader Ashawny Davis, 8, took aim at a target to dunk thirdgrade special education teacher Stephanie Stephenson in the dunk tank. At right, secondgraders Jayden Monterreal, 8, and Anthony Garcia, 7, raced across the field carrying a hula hoop during Hula Hoop Pass, a team-building game. Story and more photos, Page 10.
e still have a goal of getting that plot of land that we’re looking for so we can move forward with any plans to get a new library
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