Third grader Payton Lewis, who launched the recycling initiative Payton’s Planet in the Copiague School District in 2019, came back to Copiague on June 19 to continue to give back to those in need. Payton’s Planet recycling pails are located in the faculty lounges at the Copiague Middle School and Deauville Gardens West Elementary School and in the hallway at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School. The pails encourage faculty and staff to recycle their bottles and cans. Lewis, along with his mother Shakira, pick up the bottles each Friday. 

Lewis and his family moved out of the Copiague School District but still wanted to donate to the district’s food pantry and help members of the community. His recycling initiative in the district’s schools allowed him to raise close to $100, which he used to buy groceries to donate the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Eagle’s Harvest food pantry.

 

Photo caption: Payton Lewis, who launched the recycling initiative Payton’s Planet in the Copiague School District, donated close to $100 worth of groceries to the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Eagle’s Harvest food pantry. He is pictured with his family and Copiague School District administrators and board of education members.

 

Photo courtesy of Copiague School District

 

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood, as Waverly Park Elementary School in the Lynbrook School District hosted its annual Walk-a-Thon on June 16. The annual event, which brings together the entire school-community, was altered this year due to the pandemic. 

Rather than walk the local neighborhood, the students walked the perimeter of the school field while still raising funds for three charities. Organized by the student council, the school community raised approximately $800 with money going towards JDRF, The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island and The Fly A Kite Foundation.

 

Photo Captions: 

 

WalkAThon1 (l-r): Isabelle Chernomaz, Gianna DiChiara, Eli Dennino, Carlo Vuotto and Emma Collado. 

WalkAThon2 (l-r): Jose Calderon, James Marino, Jorge Poma Arroyo and Kristian Dautruche.

WalkAThon3: Waverly Park Elementary School student Arianna Lanzello runs the perimeter of the school field during the annual Walk-a-thon on June 16.

 

Photos courtesy of Lynbrook Public Schools 

 

The Shoreham-Wading River Central School District congratulates and thanks high school senior Jalal Sawas for his work in the local community.  

Jalal was one of four volunteers at Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson who received $500 awards for their college studies from the hospital’s auxiliary volunteers. The annual awards are based on academic achievement and commitment to the hospital. Jalal, who plans to attend SUNY Stony Brook, was honored for 170 hours of volunteer service to the hospital.

 

Photo caption: Shoreham-Wading River High School’s Jalal Sawas.

 

Photo courtesy of the Shoreham-Wading River Central School District

 

Photo caption: On June 10, the Copiague Middle School Builders Club donated 1,000 pairs of shoes for those in need to a local shelter. “This donation has brought our 10-year total to 10,000 pairs of shoes,” said club adviser Maria Ostrofsky. “We are more than proud and so happy to have helped a multitude of people throughout these years.” The club usually partners with Give Your Sole to collect the footwear and donate to shelters in New York City but wasn’t able to find a space for the donations due to the pandemic. This footwear donation was given to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless in Amityville. Pictured is Copiague Middle School Builders Club adviser Maria Ostrofsky with the donations.

 

Photo courtesy of Copiague School District

 

Fifth graders got a full workout as they participated in the Mini-Murph Challenge at Park Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District on May 27.

The event was held in honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a Patchogue native and Navy SEAL who died while serving in Afghanistan in 2005. Teachers said that they wanted to honor a Long Island hero while also showing students how to live healthy and fit lifestyles. 

Taking advantage of a warm and sunny day, activities were held outside. Students from Melissa Danowski’s and Jenna Stack’s classes participated in a kids version of the CrossFit Hero Workout, known as the Mini-Murph. They began with a run, then did 50 pull-ups, 100 push-ups and 150 air squats before ending with another run. 

To honor the courage and sacrifice of all men and women from the Armed Forces who have given their lives, the event was held just prior to Memorial Day. Students were selected to carry American flags during each run, which consisted of three laps around the perimeter of the school. To be considered as a flag bearer, they had to submit a short essay describing that qualities they have that embody Michael Murphy. 

All students were provided with T-shirts for the event. Families could also make a donation to the Michael P. Murphy Scholarship Fund. 

 

Photo captions:

1: Fifth graders at Park Avenue Elementary School took part in the Mini-Murph, a kids’ CrossFit workout, on May 27 in honor of Navy Lt. Michael P. Murphy.

2: Students and teachers ran three laps around the school to close out their day of exercise.

3: Shane Harris worked on his 100 push-ups. 

4: Mikaela Plock and her fellow fifth graders got in a full workout. 

5: Landon Behrens, left, and Nathaniel Azzata used the playground equipment for 50 pull-ups. 

 

Photos courtesy of the North Bellmore School District