Long Beach Middle School students and staff members collectively provided more than $700 in donations to the American Heart Association. The Physical Education Department conducted a basketball shooting contest to raise money and awareness for the AHA’s mission to build healthier lives.

Physical Education classes collected $306 through their efforts, and Aiden White was the overall school winner. Class tournaments took place during the week of Feb. 8, and the champions from each group competed in the final rounds on Feb. 24.

Additionally, Middle School staff members raised $444 for the AHA’s Go Red for Women initiative on Feb. 5, which was observed as National Wear Red Day. Congratulations to everyone in the Middle school for supporting such a worthy cause and organization!

Photo Caption: Long Beach Middle School students and staff members raised more than $700 in total, through various fundraising intiaitives for the American Heart Association.

Photo courtesy of Long Beach Public Schools

In the Merrick School District, Chatterton School students participated in the American Heart Association’s American Heart Month program to support cardiovascular research and education.
On March 7, students exercised their heart muscles for 45 minutes by jumping rope, playing basketball and hula hooping with their friends.
During the entire month, students in grades K-6 will learn about the importance of nutrition, fitness and developing heart-healthy habits. In addition, the school hopes to surpass last year’s donation of $3,803 and raise $4,000 to help children and families fighting these battles.

Photo Captions:

During the month of March, Chatterton students learned about the importance of nutrition, fitness and developing heart-healthy habits.

Maurice W. Downing Primary School in the Malverne Union Free School District held its annual Relay for Life kickoff celebration on Friday, March 4.

With members of the student council dressed as superheroes, the event served to kick-start the school’s initiative to raise funds, awareness and spirit. The kickoff included a celebration for a student who recently finished her last cancer treatment, a guest speaker who has cancer, an appearance by the Malverne Mule mascot, and lots of enthusiastic singing for the cause. The school’s theme this year is “We can be heroes and sheroes.”

Photo courtesy of the Malverne Union Free School District

Floral Park Memorial High School’s Global Awareness club and members of the Student Council hosted a Battle of the Bands to benefit Reason2Smile, a not-for-profit organization that support a school and orphanage in Kenya.

The high-energy event featured outstanding musical performances by students and faculty and included pop culture trivia, with audience members winning candy for correct answers. Prior to the evening show, the Global Awareness club held a variety of fundraisers to benefit Reason2Smile, including bake and pizza sales. They also sold bracelets and paper bricks that were posted in the hallway of the school.

Optimum’s Charity Champions recognized the Global Awareness club’s efforts on behalf of Reasons2Smile. The organization donated $1,000 to Reasons2Smile and $500 to the Global Awareness club to continue their charitable efforts.

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Members of Floral Park’s Global Awareness club are pictured with adviser Donna Rosenblum (right) and a representative from Optimum’s Charity Champions.

Photos courtesy of Sewanhaka Central High School District

Todd Elementary School students participated in the American Heart Association initiative

Todd Elementary School students enthusiastically practiced forward jumps, backward jumps, one-footed jumps, ski jumps and more as part of the annual Jump Rope for Heart initiative.
“You are jumping to raise awareness for the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke,” said physical education teacher Michelle Hiltsley.
Students rotated between jumping and resting stations during their physical education classes the week of Feb. 8. At resting stations, students worked on age-appropriate activities related to heart health, ranging from tracing their fist to represent their approximate heart size to listing activities that can help keep them heart-healthy. Students in grades three and above were challenged to reach jumping goals during the period – 350 jumps for third-graders and 500 for fourth- and fifth-graders.
More information about Todd’s Jump Rope for Heart program, including a link to donate, is available on the school’s physical education website.

Photo Captions: Students at Todd Elementary School in Briarcliff Manor participated in heart-healthy activities as part of the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart initiative.

Photos courtesy of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District