Photo caption: In honor of Veterans Day, members of the National Honor Society at Smithtown High School East crafted homemade cards thanking veterans for their service. The students made more than 300 cards in total that they delivered to the Long Island Veterans Home in Stony Brook on Veterans Day morning. 

 

Photo courtesy of Smithtown Central School District

 

Island Park’s Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School held its annual Winners Walk, organized by the Student Council in collaboration with the physical education department, on Oct. 25. This year’s event benefitted the Aniridia Foundation International to support research for better treatment of a genetic condition that affects the eyes and causes visual difficulties.  

Classes from each grade gathered on the field, where students excitedly ran and walked while motivating each other. Some took on their goals independently, while others moved in synchronization with partners and groups of friends. Physical Education teachers Annie Bennet-Neglia and Dominick Barone led the way and encouraged the students to keep moving forward. 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rosmarie Bovino was proud of the school’s team effort. She taught students at Hegarty about Aniridia a few days prior to the event. Parents watched the Winners Walk from the sidelines and cheered students on in their quest to support a meaningful cause and enjoy physical activity.

 

Photos Courtesy of Island Park Public Schools

 

The East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School/Jennifer’s Circle joined together for the 26th annual Walk-Along for Lupus on Oct. 20. The district had more than 55 students from grades 7-12 participate in the walk. Their efforts helped raise nearly $1,500 for the Lupus Alliance of Long Island/Queens. 

This community service activity has become a tradition since it began in 2008. The district thanks Jimmy Lores and the school for the bus ride to and from Eisenhower Park.

 

Photo caption: Members from the East Rockaway School District participated in the annual Walk-Along for Lupus and raised funds for the Lupus Alliance of Long Island/Queens.

 

Photos courtesy of East Rockaway School District

 

As part of the October Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiative, New Hyde Park Memorial High School hosted Pink October activities. The event kicked off with Hula for Hope, with students Gina Wesler and Arsh Kaur being named winners. On Oct. 18, Pink It Up Day, faculty and students joined together to form a pink ribbon on the courtyard lawn. Also on that day, the National Art Honor Society held its annual pink pumpkin-painting activity. Other activities included Pink October cornhole and the FCCLA’s pink cupcake decorating. 

All proceeds from the month-long event went to NHP Pink October, which donates to the American Cancer Society and the Adelphi University Breast Cancer Support Program. 

 

Photo caption: Students and faculty formed a pink ribbon on the courtyard lawn as part of Pink October. 

 

Members of Northport Middle School’s Community Service Club got their hands dirty at Valley Grove Beach in Northport on Nov. 4.

Nine middle school students met at the school’s main entrance and loaded supplies into a van, supplied by Youth Directions and Alternatives, or YDA – a non-profit community service organization dedicated to serving youth and their families in the Elwood, Harborfields and Northport-East Northport school districts. 

The students spent two hours walking the shoreline, picking up trash, including bottlecaps, plastic bottles, balloons and more. Additionally, they worked to winterize the beach by bundling brush and raking leaves.

“They are eager to spread sunshine everywhere they go and ensure that our shores always match our spirit,” Danielle Cardinale, one of the club’s advisors, said. 

In the past, the group has partnered with the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative and Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center to provide the local organizations with handmade blankets.

“It’s a great way for the students to give back to their community,” the club’s co-advisor, Linda Dillon said. 

 

Photo captions: Members of Northport Middle School’s Community Service Club volunteered to pick up and dispose of trash at Valley Grove Beach in Northport on Nov 4. 

 

Photos courtesy of Northport-East Northport Union Free School District