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VOL. 37 NO. 4
JANUARY 22 - 28, 2026
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elliman.com 110 WALT WHIT MAN
South H.S. hosts annual poetry contest was not going to be anymore semifinal competition. Normally, when we submit the names, Despite New York State’s what happens next is that all decision to end its participa- our kids go to the Walt Whittion in the Poetry Out Loud man museum to perfor m in program this year, the Valley front of all the other kids that Stream Central High School won, and it’s a beautiful night, and they dismanDistrict chose to tled that this year. continue the comSo, we here in Valpetition, maintainley Stream, we kind ing a long-standing of went rogue and academic tradition. decided, you know Valley Stream what, we still want South High School to do it.” recently hosted its The district folannual Poetry Out lowed the original Loud event, despite Poetry Out Loud the absence of guidelines with statewide involveplans to bring ment. together winners At the beginning ERIkA from across Valley of the school year, MENdOZA ROSA Stream schools for E n g l i s h d e p a r t - Poetry Out Loud a district-wide perment chairs were winner, formance later this notified that the Valley Stream y e a r. H o w e v e r, state would no lon- South High details have not yet ger participate in been finalized. the program and Poetry Out Loud is a perforthat it would be restructured under a different name with mance-based competition in revised rules, according to Van- which students memorize and essa Barbone, the English recite poems selected from an department chair who organiz- approved anthology. Perfores the competition at South mances are evaluated on physical presence, voice and articuHigh School. “ T h e y c h a n g e d a l l t h e lation, interpretation, evidence rules,” Barbone said. “There Continued on page 11
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO
azingariello@liherald.com
Holden Leeds/Herald
Sharing laughs for a cause Comedian Sean Brown took the stage at a comedy night fundraiser hosted by Kiwanis clubs from Valley Stream, Island Park and Lynbrook at Governors Comedy Club in Levittown on Jan. 18. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Art for Kids returns to the village Children’s classes resume at the V.S. Community Center By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
The Village of Valley Stream is bringing back its children’s arts programming this winter with the return of Art for Kids, a six-week class designed to introduce children to fundamental art skills while encouraging creativity and an appreciation for art history. The program, now in its second year, reflects the village’s broader effort to expand arts offerings for residents of all ages following the continued success of its adult and senior art programs. “It is so important to cultivate a love of the arts in our young people,” Mayor Ed Fare said. “We have worked very hard in Valley Stream to provide children with outlets for their creativity,
and to tap the ‘inner artist’ in everyone. We encourage participation in all our recreation programs, no matter what anyone perceives as their ability level. There truly is something for everyone.” Valley Stream resident Matt Khan teaches the Art for Kids program He has served as the instructor for the village’s adult art program for the past eight years. After years of strong participation from adults and seniors, village officials decided to widen the scope of arts programming to include children. According to Khan, children’s art programs have existed in Valley Stream in various forms since the early 2010s, and prior offerings received positive responses from families. Challenges such as coordinating schedules and securContinued on page 9
I
was proud of myself for being able to do it, since I didn’t originally want to participate.