Reflecting both as a class and individually, second graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School thought about the different ways they could spread kindness during the holiday season.

Each student decorated a large paper light bulb, filled with potential good deeds, for the “Light it up for kindness” bulletin board. Children listed ways they could be kind in school, at home and within the community.

Second grade teacher Jen Kafka said that after reading “Have You Filled Your Bucket Today?” by Carol McCloud, students talked about ways to fill each other’s buckets during the holidays. Each class brainstormed ideas, such as doing chores at home, giving compliments to classmates and making charitable donations.

Children then took the time to self-reflect on individual acts they could do, which were written on the light bulbs and hung together for a second grade kindness showcase. 

Second graders learned that the greatest gift is the one they give to others during a community service project at Martin Avenue Elementary School. On Dec. 13, students were joined by their parents to make cards for residents of the nursing home at the Northport Veterans Administration Medical Center.

The tables in the cafeteria were covered in art supplies as children from Antonietta Fischetti and Lori Lennihan’s class and Mary Carrea’s class got to work. Parents were invited to come and help out or make a card beside their children.

All of the materials were provided including construction paper, print outs of various holiday images, bows, glitter and pom poms. Children also had crayons, colored pencils and glue to make the cards colorful and creative. When it was over, students and their parents finished about 60 cards.

Ms. Fischetti said that prior to making the cards, there were classroom discussions and story read alouds about holiday traditions and the importance of giving back. The card decorating was both – this was the fourth year the second grade classes have done the charitable deed.

“We want to involve the children in an act of community service,” Ms. Fischetti said, “to being a smile to people who are away from their families for the holidays.”

Click here to view the Martin Avenue Second Graders Spread Cheer With Cards slideshow.

Date Added: 12/18/2024

December is commonly known as the season of giving, and students are embracing that at Saw Mill Road Elementary School.

Third grade teacher Michelle Mittler runs a toy drive every year for Cohen Children’s Medical Center. She spearheads this effort to support the hospital where her daughter underwent treatment several years ago.

Ms. Mittler sends a letter home to families asking them to contribute a new toy and the response is always very positive. These toys are added to the items she buys herself to fulfill specific wishes for children at the hospital.

“It brings me joy to be able to give back to an organization that has given so much to me,” she said. “I love to involve the students and making them feel like they are part of the greater community.”

Ms. Mittler, who has been running the toy drive for more than five years, personally delivers the toys to Cohen. She also uses it to spark conversation among her students about gratitude and generosity.

The Saw Mill Road student council is running a winter coat drive. The weeklong collection for the Long Island-based Coats for Kids initiative includes a donation box in the main lobby. Student council members promoted the drive through signs, morning announcements and word of mouth.

“Kids need to stay warm for the winter so we’re donating coats,” fifth grader Mikyle Lasker said.

Student council is advised by Assistant Principal Daniel Madden, sixth grade teacher Danielle Houghton and fifth grade teacher Melissa Mignoli.

Date Added: 12/16/2024

Fifth graders at Newbridge Road Elementary School are living the North Bellmore School District’s mission statement by “contributing to the global community with creativity and compassion.” They are penning letters to servicemen and women overseas for the holidays.  

The school is joining the Trees for Troops effort, spearheaded by Dee’s Nursery in Oceanside and DHL, to provide heartfelt holiday messages along with the donated trees. On Dec. 5 and 6, students from the three fifth grade classes worked on writing their letters and drawing holiday and winter pictures.  

Fifth grade teacher Karen Barrins, whose brother-in-law is a co-owner of Dee’s Nursery, said this was a way to bring even more joy to troops who are away from their families during the holidays. The nursery has been sending trees, menorahs and other decorations overseas to men and women serving in the United States military for 21 years. 

 “The students are excited about being a part of this,” Ms. Barrins said. “You can tell just by reading their letters.” 

 Ms. Barrins said that before students began writing their messages, the class discussed ways they could make a difference both in their community and throughout the world. She also asked them to think how they would feel if they were away from their families for the holidays, and put that emotion into their letters.  

 Fifth grader Constantine Messina said this was important to him “so that people who are missing their loved ones know that we are thinking about them and grateful for their service.” 

 "They don’t get to spend the holidays with their family,” added Sylvie Tarr, “and we’re writing to them to make them feel better about that.” 

Jack Toledo explained that it makes him feel good “because I know that I’m brightening up a soldier’s holiday.” 

Click here to view the Newbridge Fifth Graders Spread Cheer For Troops slideshow.

Date Added: 12/12/2024

 

A literacy lesson quickly became a charitable endeavor for third graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. After reading a book about Asiatic black bears, or moon bears, they decided to help the endangered species.

The book, “Moon Bear” by Brenda Z. Gulberson, is part of the Fountas and Pinnell Classroom curriculum. The author’s page provides an age-appropriate description about the plight of moon bears, many of which are held in captivity for bile farming. Students in Julia Kriegel and Samantha Paolillo’s class decided they wanted to do something to help.

First, students wrote a letter to Principal Danica Brugge, expressing their desire to do a fundraiser. The idea was enthusiastically approved and they got work. Their simple fundraiser asked students to contribute $1 to the cause.

Enlisting the help of their third grade peers in Cindy Quinn’s and Dana Rudnet’s classes, students made posters promoting the fundraiser to hang around the school. They also spoke about it during the morning announcements.

When the fundraiser was done, the class collected about $400 to donate to AnimalAsia, and organization that is devoted to helping moon bears by restoring captive animals to health and building sanctuaries. Both Dinkelmeyer students and staff contributed to the cause.

“We were pretty happy to donate money for the moon bears so we can help save them,” third grade Luke Butler said.

“We want them to be OK and we don’t want them to get more hurt than they already are,” added Brielle Otero.

As an incentive, the class with the most donations would get a gift – a stuffed black bear. Ms. Kriegel said that she is very impressed by her students not only for their eagerness to help, but by their ability to devise and implement a fundraising plan.

“I’m so proud of their enthusiasm, their creativity and their desire to be the good in the world,” she said.