Members of the Syosset Running Braves, the Syosset High School boy’s track team, have been volunteering their time to help train Special Olympic athletes ranging in age from 5 to 14.

The boys have been working with the athletes not only on running skills, but also on basketball skills, including dribbling, passing and shooting, as well as interpersonal skills. According to Rich Cafiero, the Running Braves Coach, “Our athletes are making friends and meeting new people” and they are enjoying the enthusiasm they are greeted with. The special bond formed by the two groups of athletes is sure to have a lasting effect.

 

Photo Caption 1: Members of the Running Braves are shown here after a practice with Special Olympic athletes.

Photo Caption 2: Athletes practice basketball skills at Christ the King Church in Commack.

 

Photos courtesy of the Syosset School District

Twenty-one sixth-grade students from Mr. Joseph Dooley and Mrs. Karen Rutledge’s classes at Dutch Broadway School were honored by 19 local veterans for their community service on April 20.

These students, under the supervision of physical education teacher Deb Bennett, are responsible for collecting recyclable bottles and cans each Wednesday from every classroom in the building. The students sort them to make sure only redeemable bottles and cans are bagged before retired Marine Veteran Bill “The Can Man” Urianek comes to pick them up. They then put all of the bags filled with the recyclables in his car. Bill recycles the bottles and all the money gets donated to various veteran organizations, such as Building Homes for Heroes. Since the program’s inception in 2013 Dutch Broadway School has collected more than 120,000 bottles and cans.

Bill was so impressed with this years’ group of students that he felt the need to recognize their efforts. After speaking to the audience about the recycling program, each veteran presented the students with a volunteer service medal. Mr. Urianek also presented a plaque to Principal Amy Buchanan, recognizing Dutch Broadway for its years of participation in the recycling program and the school’s dedication to all veterans.

 

Photo Caption: Dutch Broadway School students from Mr. Joseph Dooley and Mrs. Karen Rutledge’s classes are pictured with local veterans, who honored the students for their community service.

 

Photo courtesy of the Elmont School District

 

Photo caption: Smithtown High School West’s girls varsity softball team, along with Kellenberg Memorial High School, participated in a charity softball game to benefit the League of Yes on April 21 at Molloy College. The League of Yes is an organization that aims to bring the game of baseball to people with disabilities of all ages. The Smithtown High School West girls were paired up with a “buddy” who they assisted in fielding and running the bases. The Kellenberg girls softball team participated as well, and the two teams played a three-inning exhibition game.

 

Photo courtesy of Smithtown Central School District

 

As one of the Bethpage School District’s monthly Thoughtful Thursday community service projects, Central Boulevard Elementary School fifth-graders took out their pens and honed their design skills to make inspirational posters. The artwork will be on display during the Special Olympics, to be held at Bethpage High School on May 19. The students decided that messages of inspiration would assist the participating athletes in their goal to complete or win their event.

In addition to these signs, kindergarten and first-grade students colored inspirational ribbons, second-graders wrote messages on rainbow cutouts, and third- and fourth-graders wrote thank-you notes to all of the volunteers.

“This has been a wonderful schoolwide effort,” social worker Sarah Glassman said. “The students are looking forward to seeing their efforts make a difference during the Special Olympics in May.”

 

Photo captions:

A: From left, Central Boulevard Elementary School fifth-graders Danielle Porqueddu, Joan Platero, Kaia Correll, Ethan Rubio and Joseph Colleluori made an inspirational sign for swimmers in the Special Olympics, to be held at Bethpage High School on May 19.

 

B: Fifth-graders in Allison Robb and Christina McGuire’s class at Central Boulevard Elementary School made inspirational signs to motivate Special Olympics participants.  

 

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage School District

Glen Cove students at Landing Elementary School raised an all-time-high of $10,780 during its Jump Rope for Heart Fundraiser. The fundraiser took place during the month of February in conjunction with the American Heart Association’s Heart Month.

Congratulations to Arden and Paige Jimenez, who raised a combined $1,620, the most ever raised by a family. Arden raised $1,000, setting a new record at the school.  

 

Other top fundraisers were:

• Milo Walthers:   $575
• Madelyn Buhr:   $566
• Mia Lupinski:   $500
• Juliet Bifone:   $450
• Kalia Edwards:  $300

 

Through the Jump Rope for Heart program, students secure donations to jump rope during their physical education class to raise awareness about heart health. There were 122 students and staff that participated in the fundraiser, with 61 of those students raising $7,803 online. Mrs. Muzante, Ms. Serani and Mrs. Sullivan collected the remaining donations at school.

In grade 3, Mrs. Tenke’s class raised a Landing School all-time-high of $1,560; in grade 4, Mrs. Clark’s class raised $1,327 and in grade 5, Mrs. Reynolds class raised $444. Every student who raised money received an instant lanyard and “scare crew member,” a small alien-type sticker, which was placed on our “Scare Team” poster at school.

Many thanks to all those who donated to this worthwhile cause. Each year, we are thankful and appreciative of the incredible support throughout this fundraiser to help those less fortunate than ourselves. A special thanks to Mrs. Muzante and Mr. Graziosi for their help in distributing the more than 230 prizes to the students who participated.

 

Photo Captions:

1. Landing School students raised more than $10,000 for the American Heart Association.
2. Landing School students and sisters Arden Jimenez (left) and Paige Jimenez raised a total of $1,620 for the American Heart Association.  

 

Photos courtesy of the Glen Cove City School District