School News

Hampton Bays

As part of its character education program, Hampton Bays Middle School held an All-In Day that focused on kindness on November 20.

Throughout the day, the student body rotated through several kindness-promoting activities facilitated by teachers Meghan Bishop and Carolanne Mazur. They wrote kind messages, participated in team challenges led by high school students, and created flyers for a Stuff a Truck event that the school is hosting on December 12.

The Hampton Bays High School social studies department hosted a Diversity Day on November 16. The day provided an opportunity for students to celebrate the community’s rich cultural heritage.

Students heard from a variety of guest speakers, including parents, staff members, and relatives of students, who spoke about their cultural differences, obstacles they have faced, and life experiences. Among the topics addressed were immigration, civil rights, racism, perceptions, and the LGBQT community.

“Our community of learners came together, shared experiences, and learned from one another,” said Denise Sullivan, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “Our students engaged in a dialogue about empathy, compassion, and stereotypes, and hopefully learned that their voices count.”

Riverhead

Riverhead Middle School educators received professional development on November 19 and 20 as part of the district’s ongoing efforts to ensure all students thrive in an optimal environment.

Over the course of two days, teachers participated in several workshops related to the theme “Culture of Care.” With a focus on mental and emotional well-being, they learned how to decrease students’ stress levels by employing mindful and relaxing exercises, gleaned techniques for delivering “brain breaks” to their classes, and learned how to implement mindful movement through the “Pure Power” curriculum. The sessions also explored the effects of stress on educators and students.

Riverhead High School senior Michael Cunningham has been selected to represent his peers as a student representative on the Riverhead Board of Education. In this non-voting role, he will have the opportunity to provide board members with a student’s perspective and updates on happenings at the high school.

“I think this will be a great experience,” said Cunningham. “I am looking forward to it.”

Westhampton

Westhampton Beach High School has invited the community to attend a free screening of the award-winning National Geographic documentary Science Fair on Thursday, December 6, at 6 PM, at the Hampton Arts Cinema, 2 Brook Road, Westhampton Beach.

The screening, which is being hosted by the Westhampton Beach High School Science Honor Society and Science Research Program, was made possible through the generosity of the Hampton Arts Cinema and National Geographic. Donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the door are greatly appreciated. To learn more about the film, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/films/science-fair.

Tuckahoe

The Tuckahoe third grade classes are collecting items to be donated, as holiday gifts, to children in need. Each class will collect items such as books, clothing, toiletries, and small toys that will be sent to families in need of holiday cheer. As part of their community service effort, the classes expanded their collection to include donations from other grade levels and school staff. They are quickly surpassing their original goal of filling two boxes. Third graders are looking forward to watching their efforts grow, spreading as much holiday cheer as possible to peers in need.

Springs

Students are in the midst of PARP (Parents as Reading Partners). The theme is “Dig Up A Good Book” and was created by fourth grader Ella Menu. Students are reading each week and will receive a prize at the end of December.

Fifth graders enjoyed a TERN field trip to the back woods last week. Each class learned about local trees and also how to track different animals who visit the area.

As part of the upcoming holiday season, the PTA is sponsoring a “Penguin Patch” bazaar this week where students can shop for affordable gifts for family members. The PTA also sponsors Gingerbread Night. Students pre-ordered their gingerbread kits and will decorate them together with their families.

The school is hosting its “Outwear Drive” and is asking anyone to bring in a gently used coat or vest so we can give them to people in need. Donations of new scarves and gloves are also welcomed. All sizes needed! They are collecting until December 21.

Compiled by Bridget LeRoy
bridget@indyeastend.com