The Harborfields High School varsity softball team hosted a childhood cancer awareness game on May 2 against Hauppauge High School. The team not only honored fighters and the survivors but also raised nearly $500 through a bake sale, T-shirt sale and donations from game attendees.

Before the game players all donned golden shirts with “No One Fights Alone” written across the back. Additionally, team members showed their support for Harborfields sophomore Gabby Cava by standing together and raising signs that read “Team Gabby.”

Hauppauge also joined in supporting the game’s cause by wearing gold ribbon color for childhood cancer.

“This cause is very close to our community’s heart,” said John Valente, director of health, physical education and athletics. “We’re so proud of our student-athletes for rallying together to raise awareness and show support for those affected by this disease.”

 

Photo captions:

 

1. The Harborfields High School varsity softball team hosted a childhood cancer awareness game on May 2.
2. Harborfields softball players donned gold shirts with “No One Fights Alone” written across the back during the childhood cancer awareness game held on May 2.

 

Photos courtesy of the Harborfields Central District

Glen Cove High School’s varsity and junior varsity boys lacrosse teams are wearing gray socks in the month of May in support of brain cancer awareness. The teams are donating money to support Madison Milio, the 5-year-old daughter of New Hyde Park coach Mike Milio. Madison has recently been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. The Big Red and all of Nassau County lacrosse are teaming up to help Madison in her fight. 

 

Photo courtesy of the Glen Cove City School District  

 

A recent student-led service-learning project at Merrimac Elementary School in the Sachem Central School District helped raise money for an incredible cause, as students across grade levels rallied together to collect money for the Special Olympics.

Fourth-grade student Gabriel Nagel developed a plan to raise money for the Special Olympics and brought his idea to Building Principal Veronica DeCicco to make it a reality. Gabriel held a coin drive where students donated spare change, and he also organized a kickball tournament with various incentives for the winning team.

Additionally, Gabriel reached out to the popular Long Island organization John’s Crazy Socks, which came to Merrimac to host an assembly program for students. Before the assembly, students learned about Down syndrome, what the Special Olympics are and about the inspirational story of John’s Crazy Socks. John’s Crazy Socks is a father-son team which was co-founded by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome. During the assembly, John shared information about the Special Olympics and how he never lets Down syndrome hold him back.

To conclude the assembly, John answered questions prepared by the students and presented Gabriel with his own special socks.

 

Photo caption: Students across grade levels at Merrimac Elementary School recently rallied together to collect money for the Special Olympics.

 

Photos courtesy of the Sachem Central School District

Student volunteers from East Islip High School’s girls varsity and JV lacrosse teams ran a water station during the EJ Autism Foundation’s 13th annual four-mile Jigsaw Run/Walk for Autism in April. Proceeds from the event will support programs on Long Island that work with children diagnosed with autism.

 

IMG_8033: Student volunteers from East Islip High School’s girls varsity and JV lacrosse teams ran a water station during the EJ Autism Foundation’s 13th annual four-mile Jigsaw Run/Walk for Autism in April.

 

Photo courtesy of the East Islip School District

 

Students and staff throughout the Levittown Public Schools celebrated Autism Awareness Month in April by educating others, wearing custom blue T-shirts, hosting events and raising money for organizations that support those with autism.

From the elementary to high school level, students showed their support. Lee Road Elementary School students wrote what makes them unique on puzzle pieces which were displayed in the hallway. The pieces ranged in colors and shapes to represent the diversity of the people and families living with autism. At Summit Lane Elementary School, speech teacher Maryann Holzapfel and student council representatives started a T-shirt sale for World Autism Awareness Day to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism. The proceeds from the sale, along with a contribution from the school’s Casual Friday Fund, was donated to Nassau-Suffolk Autism Society of America. East Broadway Elementary School also supported the Nassau-Suffolk Autism Society of America by creating and selling T-shirts and having snack cart sales.

In addition, students and staff at Abbey Lane Elementary School participated in several schoolwide activities. This included creating a special segment on the school’s Abbey Action News and staff members visiting applied behavior analysis classes to read. Students in the ABA program also sold breakfast items on a food cart to staff and held a sale during lunch periods which included items that support and recognize Autism Awareness.

At the middle school level, the Wisdom Lane community wore blue throughout the month, watched video clips that promoted awareness and acceptance and sold puzzle hearts, pencils, stickers and bracelets with proceeds going towards the NSASA. Jonas E. Salk Middle School staff created Autism Awareness videos which were then shared throughout the building and teachers conducted lessons on autism. In addition, a student with autism created a T-shirt which was sold. The concept behind the shirt was that everyone has a super power.

Students and staff at General Douglas MacArthur High School continued their tradition of spreading Autism Awareness by decorating the hallways, discussing what autism is and raising money for the NSASA through T-shirt sales, special activities and Autism Awareness sporting events. For the district as a whole, it was a month filled with not only spreading awareness but also encouraging others to be proud of their uniqueness, while reinforcing kindness and acceptance.

“The Levittown School District prides itself on its motto of Success For Every Student. Autism Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate and share in the success of all students,” said Dr. Susan Farber, director of pupil services. “It is a time when general education and special education students, parents and staff, all come together for one cause and that is to promote inclusion of all students. Through the various programs and activities that are run districtwide, students are able to show off their talents, participate in unique activities, design T-shirts and raise money for such a worthy cause.”

 

Photo captions:

 

1) Lee Road Elementary School students in front of their puzzle piece wall for Autism Awareness.  

2) Summit Lane Elementary School students wore Autism Awareness T-shirts during the month of April.

3) Wisdom Lane Middle School staff members spread unity with their Autism Awareness T-shirt, “We All Fit In.”

4) The MacArthur High School girls lacrosse team participated in a special Autism Awareness game at the end of the month.

 

Photos courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools