BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Feb. 23, 2016) – On Saturday, Apr. 2, the LIU Post women’s lacrosse team will be hosting Cystic Fibrosis Day, in honor of junior Kelly Backus (Oceanside, N.Y.).

Backus has a rare gene mutation of Cystic Fibrosis. Though it has been life-changing for her, Kelly continues to work as hard as possible to keep her life normal and not let it interfere with her goals.

Bracelets and tee-shirts will be sold at the front gate on the day of the game in support of the cause. All proceeds and donations will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and “Team Kelly Anne.”

Main Street School students bounced, skipped and stepped through jump ropes during their physical education classes as the school participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program on Feb 8-12.
“The program’s activities engaged the students through jumping rope while empowering them to improve their health and help people with heart issues,” physical education teacher Laura Shaw said. “Jumping rope is one thing they can do to keep their hearts healthy and make them stronger.”

During class, Shaw talked to her students about preventing heart disease and the importance of exercise and healthy eating. As a culmination to the event, students and staff members wore red on Feb. 12.
“The students also learned the value of community service by raising money for the American Heart Association,” said Shaw, adding that students were asked to make a donation, although it wasn’t a requirement for their participation in Jump Rope for Heart.

Fifth-grader Ethan Dwyer, who long jump roped with five of his classmates at once, said he enjoyed the exercise.
“Not only is it good for your heart, it helps you make new friends,” he said. “It’s a time when you get to jump rope with the whole class.”
Main Street School Principal Joyce Chapnick said Heart Healthy Week connected to the school’s character building and global citizenship initiatives. Throughout the week, the students were asked to reflect upon various character building questions and consider how they relate to living a healthy lifestyle and taking action to help others.

Photo Captions: Main Street School students bounced, skipped and stepped through jump ropes during their physical education classes as the school participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program on Feb 8-12.

Photos courtesy of the Irvington Union Free School District

Sixth-graders at Norman J. Levy Lakeside Elementary School in the Merrick School District participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program, raising $4,847.85 to improve the lives of people battling cardiovascular diseases.

On Feb. 12, students exercised their heart muscles for 45 minutes by jumping rope with their fellow classmates. Prior to the event, they learned about the importance of nutrition, living a healthy lifestyle and fitness.
The district congratulates the sixth-grade class for caring about the lives of others and contributing to the largest donation in Lakeside’s history.

Photo Captions:

Norman J. Levy Lakeside Elementary School sixth-graders participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program, raising more than $4,800 to improve the lives of people battling cardiovascular diseases.

Photos courtesy of the Merrick School District

With jump ropes in hand, Hampton Bays Elementary School third- and fourth-grade students raised more than $1,000 for the American Heart Association during the school’s 17th annual Jump-a-Thon program.
During the event, which was held on Feb. 12, students jumped rope for an entire gym period and were awarded prizes for completing individual goals. The schoolwide fundraising amount was secured through donations the students received from family and friends prior to the program.

Photo Caption: Hampton Bays third-graders Dennise Chiriboga, Kayla Raynor and Bella Orlando participated in the 17th annual Jump-a-thon at Hampton Bays Elementary School.

Photo courtesy of the Hampton Bays School District

The Sanford H. Calhoun High School wrestling squad recently visited St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in Bayside to spread some cheer.

The entire team, plus their four managers attended, reading books and spending quality time with the patients.

“The naturally empathetic kids learned about compassion and how face time is sometimes better than fundraisers and blanket drives to help people,” said Coach Thomas Schiavo.

Photo Captions: Members of the Calhoun wrestling team visited patients at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children.

Photos courtesy of Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District