Rocky Point’s Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School students continue to work to embrace healthy lifestyles, and six of them took the challenge to be top fundraisers in the school’s annual Kids Heart Challenge, coordinated by physical education teacher Maria Amoscato. The mission of the event is to raise funds to support the American Heart Association. Students raised $7,000 with the generosity of the staff, families and greater Rocky Point community members. 

The students with the highest fundraising totals were fifth graders Leigha Blandi, Amiyah James, Jake Manno and Casey Stengel and third graders Hadley Schaentzler and Chase Stengel. They were presented with certificates at the May 17 board of education meeting. 

 

Photo caption: Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School students Chase Stengel, Casey Stengel and Leigha Blandi with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott O’Brien and physical education teacher Maria Amoscato.

 

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Point School District

 

Sylvan Avenue Elementary School students in the Bayport-Blue Point School District gathered in the school plaza on May 13 for the school’s annual Walk for a Smile event. Run by speech and language pathologists Christine Monahan and Laurie Katz, the walk is held to recognize May as Better Speech and Hearing Month and has raised thousands of dollars during the past 12 years. This year, the school raised $4,000 to support families of children with cleft care needs.

Before Principal Alane Dugan blew the horn to start the walk, she told the students they should be proud of themselves for raising money for this cause and helping others in need. Wearing Smile Train shirts and decorated T-shirts with smiley faces, the students then joined the faculty in walking laps around the parking lot.  

“This is an event the children look forward to every year,” Ms. Dugan said. “It’s also an event that the students will remember for a lifetime.” 

 

Photo captions:

A: Sylvan Avenue Elementary School students participated in a Smile Train Walk to benefit families with children with cleft needs.

B: Sylvan Avenue Elementary School speech and language pathologists Christine Monahan, center, and Laurie Katz, right, sponsored a Smile Train Walk which raised $4,000 for families with children with cleft issues.

C: Students at Sylvan Avenue Elementary School decorated their shirts with smiley faces as they walked in the school’s annual Smile Train Walk.

D: From left, Sylvan Avenue Elementary School speech and language pathologists Christine Monahan and Laurie Katz sponsored the school’s annual Smile Train Walk.

 

Photos courtesy of the Bayport-Blue Point School District

 

Ronkonkoma Middle School in the Connetquot Central School District stepped up its Be Kind, Be Smart, Be RMS initiative to make smart decisions, show kindness and inspire others through participation in a schoolwide Dezy Strong volleyball tournament and accompanying activities. The school raised $4,000 for the Dezy Strong Foundation, honoring the late Connetquot resident Matt DiStefano.  

Students first attended an assembly that resonated the message that “we don’t have to, but we get to do things.” This message was carried out as students filled out “we get to” leaves, which were placed on a Dezy Strong tree. T-shirts and bracelets were also sold to students and faculty who wanted to participate in the initiative. 

The entire student body and members of the administration and faculty also participated in a Dezy Strong volleyball tournament. Teams were divided into team orange or team blue and were rotated every four minutes. Scores were also tallied during each physical education class. The activity was so popular that students volunteered to play during their free time. A Dezy Strong player of the day was named and announced each day and students spun the technology wheel to win a prize. As the students played in the gymnasium, a slide presentation created by technology teacher Jackie Huston was streamed and documented the event.

“Everyone did such a good job of participating,” physical education teacher Justin Hertz said. “This was a tournament for a good cause, and it turned out better than I could ever have expected.”

 

Photo captions: 

A: Ronkonkoma Middle School students wrote a response on leaves to the phrase “We get to” on the Dezy Strong tree.

 

B: Ronkonkoma Middle School faculty and students played in a volleyball tournament to support the Dezy Strong Foundation.

 

C: Ronkonkoma Middle School physical education teacher Justin Hertz, right, organized the students into volleyball teams with, center, health and physical education teacher Chris D’Andria.

 

D: Ronkonkoma Middle School faculty and staff raised $4,000 for the Dezy Strong Foundation through the sale of T-shirts and bracelets.

 

Photos courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District

 

Lynwood Avenue Elementary School second grade student Kayla Zatyk worked in collaboration with building principal Catherine Dulovic to bring recycling bins to her school. 

Kayla wrote a letter to Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and had 311 students and staff sign a petition for Brookhaven Town to donate recycling bins. After receiving the letter Mr. Romaine visited Lynwood Avenue to bring in the bins himself. He commended Kayla for her efforts and commitment to recycling to make her community a better place. 

As part of the visit students learned about the Town of Brookhaven Recycling Program and items that are created from recycled materials. 

 

Photo caption: Lynwood Avenue Elementary School second grade student Kayla Zatyk worked in collaboration with building principal Catherine Dulovic to bring recycling bins to her school. 

 

Photos courtesy of the Sachem Central School District

 

The Carle Place High School Key Club held their annual fashion show and raised $1,200.76 for the Chris Comito Scholarship Fund. More than 100 students participated in the event, which consisted of students and staff modeling Hop Shop and Goat USA clothing.

Chris was a Carle Place High School graduate who passed away in December 2020 from carbon monoxide poisoning. The Key Club plan to carry out a carbon monoxide awareness program with the Carle Place Fire Department, Nassau County Fire Marshall Chief Uttaro and Nassau County Legislator Laura Schaefer.  

 

Photo caption: 1&2: Carle Place High School Key Club raised $1,200.76 for the Chris Comito Scholarship Fund by hosting its annual fashion show.

 

Photos courtesy of the Carle Place School District