Sachem High School East senior Sara Ann Mauro recently completed a community service project for her Girl Scout Gold Award by creating a website to assist teens in mitigating stress. 

As part of the comprehensive project Sara Ann created a website, stressinteens.com, with a seven-part video series where she shares helpful information on how to deal with stress. The website includes topics such as what stress is, time management, exercise and sleep. Inspired by the increase in stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, she put together this resource to assist other teens in dealing with the stress she felt during this time. 

Sara Ann plans to study biomedical engineering on a pre-med track when she attends college in the fall. 

 

Photo caption: Sachem High School East senior Sara Ann Mauro recently completed a community service project for her Girl Scout Gold Award by creating a website to assist teens in mitigating stress. 

 

Photos courtesy of the Sachem Central School District

 

The fourth grade class of Deborah Vieira and Lisa Celentano at Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School in Rocky Point kicked off their year of caring for others. They helped raise money for the Rocky Point Teachers’ Association Kids in Need Fund by participating in the annual scarecrow fundraiser, donated candy, wrote letters to veterans, and this month have proven to be incredibly generous once again. 

The teachers discussed with the students how there are families in need right in the local community. The students immediately wanted to help provide them with Thanksgiving meal boxes. They teamed up with Long Island Lending a Helping Hand community center in Rocky Point and donated enough food for two local families and plenty of extras for the food pantry. 

“We are so proud of the compassion and thoughtfulness of our students and families,” Mrs. Vieira said. “The children have already asked, ‘What’s next? Who can we help now?’”

Photo Caption: Deborah Vieira and Lisa Celentano’s fourth grade class.  

 

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Point School District

 

Dozens of festive shopping bags were filled to the brim with cans, boxes and packages of nonperishable food items as the Rocky Point Middle School advisories conducted their annual Thanksgiving food drive on Nov. 16.  

Students brought in, gathered, sorted and then packaged the items for breakfast, lunch and dinner in each bag for local food pantries.

To add some additional fun to the high-spirited event, students received a Rocky Point Middle School Pride ticket for their donations, which they are able to turn in for a variety of prizes at the school’s PBIS Pride cart.

“We are so grateful for our students and staff for this outpouring of support for others,” Assistant Principal Dawn Meyers said. “It points to the character traits of kindness and compassion in ensuring that others in the community have a pleasant Thanksgiving because of their efforts.” 

Photo caption: Rocky Point Middle School students and the Thanksgiving food donations.

 

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Point School District

 

Photo caption: The Westhampton Beach High School National Honor Society held a successful blood drive on Nov. 10. During the drive, 101 donors were registered and 94 units of blood, which could save up to 282 lives, were collected, Of the new registrants, 51 were first-time donors. “This is exactly what our blood supply needs,” said NHS adviser Kristen Regan.

 

Photo courtesy of the Westhampton Beach Union Free School District

 

Students and staff members at Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School in Island Park got moving during the annual Winner’s Walk to help others in the larger community, held on Oct. 22. Organized by the Student Council in collaboration with the physical education department, the event promoted physical activity and celebrated school spirit while raising approximately $2,100 to support Birthday Wishes of Long Island. 

Classes from each grade came together on the field and students put their best foot forward, demonstrating teamwork while encouraging each other throughout the morning of exercise. The proceeds from their fundraising efforts will help homeless children experience the joy of a birthday party. 

 

Photos courtesy of Island Park Public Schools