Gunther Hosts Goodbye Fun Festival

Jacob Gunther Elementary School, will close its doors in June after serving as an educational facility in North Bellmore for 55 years. These are the stories of people who hold Gunther dear to their hearts.

On a recent day, Patti O'Leary, a 1972 Jacob Gunther Elementary School graduate, stood in back of the educational facility and recalled her fondest memories as a student.

"I remember Blue and Gold Night," she said. "It was an arts competition with the sixth graders where we would perform skits and I loved it. I remember when my son started here. I am very sad this place is going to close."

O"Leary, students and parents recently came together to celebrate Gunther, which will close on June 30, during its Goodbye Fun Festival.

The Gunther community was able to enjoy music, games, food and even more good times at the place that brought them all together.

"This is great for the kids," Faye Saxena, president of the Gunther Parent Teacher Association said. "It's the last hooray before the school closes."

Jim Mulvey, a physical education teacher at the school for 15 years, said that Gunther was his "first home."

"Our school is like a little community," he said. "I can't believe that it is closing, but this was a really nice get together for the kids."

Sina Faberman, a parent of a Gunther student, agreed.

"This is a good way for people to celebrate," she said. "You can't be in mourning all the time."