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Michael d’Ambrosio Board of Education trustee
robert Transom Board of Education trustee
oceanside Union Free School district board
Courtesy Mike Graham
rAchel ANd Mike Graham’s son, Cooper, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Oceanside stays ‘CoopStrong’ Town rallies behind 4-month-old with cancer By kePherd dANiel kdaniel@liherald.com
Mike Graham, fire commissioner and longtime Oceanside resident, thought he was taking his 4-month-old son Cooper for a routine eye exam, but it turned out to be a much more serious issue, which has since brought the entire Oceanside community together. The family took Cooper to a pediatrician in Oceanside and then to Cohen Children’s Medical Center for a more thorough examination. “We thought we were coming in with an eye issue and … it was totally life-shattering when we were told what it was,” Graham said. Two weeks ago, Cooper was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer often found in the small glands on top of the kidneys and mostly
affecting children ages 5 or younger. Cooper has been receiving treatment at Cohen, and not long after his diagnosis, the Oceanside community rallied to support the family. Family members coined the term “CoopStrong,” and continue to ask for prayers and support from the community. Residents amd a variety of organizations have reached out to help the Graham family. Oceanside resident Mara Prendergast, who has been friends with Cooper’s mother, Rachel, and the family for 15 years, started a GoFundMe page to assist the family financially as Cooper goes through treatment. Thus far, community members have raised more than $39,000 to help the family pay for medical expenses. Continued on page 4
Michael D’Ambrosio and Robert Transom effortlessly won their bids for re-election, defeating Jon Paskoff and Austin Graff 1,598-985, and 1,542-993. Graff and Paskoff were quite outspoken when it came to their own report cards on the existing board — including the incumbents they were running against. Graff called for greater transparency, “which includes a greater respect for the community members who have issues or concerns regarding their school district.” Paskoff simply felt the board no longer represented the current community, primarily because many of them no longer have children attending school. “The community wants someone ‘real,’ that is approachable and that can talk to them,” Paskoff said. “Liste to them and be their voice without feeling they are being ridiculed.” D’Ambrosio acknowledges his kids may be grown, but his grandchildren are future Oceanside graduates, saying he has a “vested interest” in maintaining the school district’s level of excellence.
oceanside Union Free School district budget
Total: $167.9 million. Passed, 1,661-1,128 — Kepherd Daniel