______________ VALLEY STREAM _____________
HERALD Graduate receives grant
VSCHSD Board reorganizes
Community celebrates
Page 3
Page 7
Page 10
VOL. 36 NO. 30
JULY 24 - 30, 2025
$1.00
Kim Wheeler retires from school board professional experience to her role, always with students’ best interests at heart. “I was always a large part of Kim Wheeler has retired from the Valley Stream District my children’s school careers, 24 Board of Education, leaving whether it was class parent, a behind not just a seat at the trip chaperone, elementary PTA or South’s Partable but a legacy ents Club,” Wheelbuilt on communier wrote in an ty and care. email to the Herald. “After nine years “This brought me of unwavering sersuch joy, to not only vice, Trustee see my child’s W h e e l e r l e av e s smile, but bring a behind a legacy of smile to other chilintegrity, compasdren. It showed me sion, and tireless just how my small dedication to our acts could make a students, staff, and child feel. So, I community,” Melisdecided to put sa Her rera, who myself on the balserved as board lot for District 24 vice president last year and was elect- MELISSA HERRERA Trustee and continue the focus on how e d p re s i d e n t o n 2025-26 District 24 to make every child July 1, wrote in a Board of Education feel special.” statement. president Over the years, Fo r n e a rl y a she volunteered in decade, Wheeler has been a familiar and reliable classrooms, served on PTA presence in the district, known boards, chaired the Sixth-Grade for her thoughtful leadership Parents Club and pitched in at and deep connection to the fam- countless school events. She ilies she served, according to was the kind of person who her colleagues. A longtime Val- always showed up, whether it ley Stream resident and a was to support a budget, a bake proud parent of district gradu- sale or a child in need. Her dedates, James, 22 and Mikayla, 19, ication and reliable presence she brought both personal and ConTinued on page 2
By ISABELLA OREN
Intern
T
Courtesy Matt Khan
The annual art show highlights the creative efforts of residents of all ages.
Village art exhibit set to return Opening reception at community center on Aug. 22 By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Valley Stream’s annual Student Art Exhibit will return, featuring a range of work from residents who have taken part in the village’s art programs over the past year. The exhibit will open with a public reception on Aug. 22 at the Valley Stream Community Center from 6 to 8 p.m. and will remain on display through Sept. 12. In its fifth year, the exhibit includes artwork from three village-run programs: the adult painting class, the Silver Threads painting program for senior citizens and the children’s art classes. All participants from the past calendar year are invited to contribute up to three original works to the exhibition. The classes are led by Matt Khan, a local artist and instructor who began teaching for
the village’s recreation department in 2018. Since then, the programs have expanded to reach a wide range of residents. The adult painting course runs in ten-week sessions four times per year, while the Silver Threads program meets every other Thursday at the community center. The children’s art class, introduced earlier this year, focuses on basic techniques and incorporates lessons in art history. “It’s a nice celebration of the arts and Valley Stream,” Khan said. “It’s a privilege to have your work exhibited, and we do get a lot of positive feedback from the public about that event, and that’s how the exhibit came about. It’s a really nice way to just celebrate all the art by the students and their accomplishments throughout the year.” Khan’s approach to instruction emphasizConTinued on page 6
rustee Wheeler leaves behind a legacy of integrity, compassion and tireless dedication.