Students at Cornwell Avenue School in the West Hempstead School District scored some baskets as they took part in the American Heart Association’s Hoops for Heart program to raise awareness about cardiovascular health. Physical education teacher Mike Hovanec led the students in a fun basketball version of tic-tac-toe while teaching them heart healthy habits. 

Photo captions: 

1. Physical education teacher Mike Hovanec led Cornwell Avenue students in Hoops for Heart on Feb. 25, a program sponsored by the American Heart Association which promotes heart health.
2. Cornwell Avenue students participated in Hoops for Heart on Feb. 25, a program sponsored by the American Heart Association which promotes heart health.

Photos courtesy of the West Hempstead Union Free School District 

Students from Central Boulevard Elementary School in the Bethpage School District recently participated in the Kid’s Heart Challenge, an educational fundraising event sponsored by the American Heart Association. More than 100 team members registered to participate in the challenge. 

Students in grades kindergarten through five gathered in the gym to participate in different exercises and interactive lessons. Art, music and library teachers collaborated with physical education teachers during the Kids Heart Challenge to conduct activities across the curriculum in support of fundraising efforts. In total, the school raised more than $6,600 for the American Heart Association.

Photo captions:

1. Students from Central Boulevard Elementary School created paper hearts during the Kid’s Heart Challenge, an educational fundraising event sponsored by the American Heart Association.
2. Art, music and library teachers collaborated to provide learning experiences for students during the Kid’s Heart Challenge, an educational fundraising event sponsored by the American Heart Association.

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District 

Members of the Builder’s Club and Key Club at East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School spent their Valentine’s Day working with senior citizens and young children.

The students played Bingo and made bracelets during arts and crafts with the residents at the Atria in Lynbrook. They also shared stories and brought flowers to the senior citizens there.

In the afternoon, students played games with the 3- and 4-year-olds at the East Rockaway Recreation Center. Activities included Simon Says, a Conga line and Arts and Crafts.

Photo caption: 1-3: East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School students of the Builder’s and Key clubs spent their Valentine’s Day participating in fun activities with local senior citizens and young children.

Photos courtesy of East Rockaway School District

For the 10th consecutive year, Gribbin Elementary School took part in the Souper Bowl of Caring food drive.  Students, faculty and staff collected 207 pounds of non-perishable food items over a two-week period. 

The Souper Bowl of Caring is a youth inspired, youth-led movement that works with schools, churches, local businesses, corporations, passionate individuals and NFL teams in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl to help generate food and resources at a critical time of year when charities are reporting a decrease in volunteers and donations. 

The Gribbin school donated 100% of the collected food items to the food pantry at the Church of St. Rocco. 

Photo caption: Students from Gribbin Elementary School collected more than 200 pounds of food for the Souper Bowl of Caring.

Photos courtesy of the Glen Cove City School District

With the devastating impact of the Australian wildfires on people and animals weighing on their minds, sixth graders at Pierson Middle School in Sag Harbor recently organized a “jumpathon,” which raised more than $2,000 for the Australian Red Cross. 

Students first secured sponsors and donations from families and members of the community, and then got to work in the gym with the help of physical education teacher and coach Jonathan Tortortella. The dollars raised were dependent upon the middle schoolers jumping rope for at least 30 minutes. Classes were structured in five-minute intervals focused on jumping a single rope (with some athletic tricks), jumping rope while running, and participating in games and relays.  

In teacher Eileen Caulfield’s class, the students also made “Joey” bags to help comfort the thousands of animals hurt in the fires during their rehabilitation process. 

Photo captions:

1: Pierson sixth graders’ “jumpathon” raised more than $2,000 for the Australian Red Cross’ wildfire relief efforts.

2: Pierson Middle Schooler students in teacher Eileen Caulfield’s class made “Joey” bags to help comfort animals hurt in the Australian wildfires.

Photos courtesy of Sag Harbor School District