The PTAs of Marion Street, Waverly Park and West End elementary schools recently joined forces to create Lynbrook’s first unified Pick A Reading Partner celebration. With the chosen theme of “Reading Connects Us,” administrators, families, teachers and the community came together to make the week-long celebration of reading a success for both remote and in-person students.

All students were gifted the book “The Magnificent Makers #1: How to Test a Friendship” and enjoyed a virtual visit from the author Theanne Griffith. Students who finished the book were eligible to enter a contest to attend a special virtual author meet and greet. School librarians Meghan Ceglie, Heather LaBarbera and Marie Sarro-Pizarro also helped to arrange video read alouds which were recorded by Lynbrook administrators and shared with all classes.

In addition, students were able to extend their excitement for the book’s science theme by participating in a science dress up day at school. They were also encouraged to visit the East Rockaway and Lynbrook Public libraries to pick up science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) kits to build at home. Students who sent in photos of their PARP fun were entered to win gift card prizes from local Lynbrook businesses as well as the next books in the Magnificent Makers series.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, first graders in Lorraine Troici’s remote class read about influential women who impacted the world. Students researched Amelia Earhart, Mae Jemison and Frida Kahlo and enjoyed listening to read-alouds. The class collaborated on organizing facts into digital graphic organizers and created a directed drawing which showcased the amazing contributions that these fascinating women attained during their lives.

Marion Street Elementary School third graders recently expanded their global knowledge while studying Kenya. Classes conducted extensive research, read informational texts and completed their own PowerPoint presentations and postcards. While learning about the different schools in Kenya, the students decided to come together and make a positive change. Looking to raise money for Kenyan students, the third graders wrote persuasive letters and created posters for Marion Street Principal Theresa Macchia and their teachers to gain their support.

The students decided to partner with the non-profit organization Reason2Smile whose mission is to provide educational opportunities for children at the Jambo Jipya School in Mtwapa, Kenya. The Jambo Jipya School and Children’s Home was founded by a Kenyan woman who wanted to make a difference in the lives of the children in her community. Classes read “Neema’s Reason To Smile” by Patricia Newman, a book based on the Jambo Jipya School.

Students discussed Neema’s dreams and reflected on their own dreams. They then facilitated a fundraiser, Kindness for Kenya and raised $345 for the Jambo Jipya School and Children’s Home. Due to their generous donation, the third graders received bracelet kits from Reason2Smile which contained beads from Kenya. They created their own recycled paper bead bracelets in class which they were able to keep.

In addition, the students participated in a Webex meeting with Donna Rosenblum, executive director of Reason2Smile. Ms. Rosenblum showed the students pictures and talked to them about the school and Kenya. The third graders also engaged in a Q&A session and explored a chest of artifacts that Ms. Rosenblum sent over to Marion Street from Kenya. The third graders were fully engaged in their virtual meeting and learned so much through their service project.

Remote and in-person learners from the Lynbrook Kindergarten Center and Marion Street, Waverly Park and West End elementary schools recently marked the 100th day of school in fun and creative ways.

Students at the Lynbrook Kindergarten Center wore homemade 100th day T-shirts and hats and participated in physical education activities related to the day with teacher Josh Berlin. Remote first graders from Marion Street Elementary School got creative by sharing a picture of themselves now and a picture of what they will look like when they turn 100 years old. In the classroom, Marion Street second graders in Amy Brennan’s class created their own original artwork inspired by the number 100.

The festivities continued at Waverly Park Elementary School where students in Jaclyn Miller’s third grade class created a colorful 100-link chain featuring 100 things that they learned and love in third grade. West End Elementary School first graders also engaged in classroom projects connected to the number 100 and dressed like 100-year-olds to mark the special occasion.

First graders at Marion Street Elementary School recently received a virtual visit from dentist Dr. Natalie Bitton who shared important dental hygiene tips with them!