As part of their study on energy, eighth graders constructed and tested bottle cars in their STEAM class at Edmund W. Miles Middle School. The hands-on activity allowed them to see for themselves how potential energy turns into kinetic energy.

Teacher Natasha Lim gave each student an empty plastic water bottle to use as the car’s body. Other supplies included metal and wooden rods as axles and bottle caps for the wheels. Students could choose either a low-tech or a high-tech option to power their cars – a straw connected to a balloon or a small, battery-powered motor. 

Students began the engineering challenge by doing research on their Chromebooks to explore potential solutions, then sketched out their designs before building. 

To mark Veterans Day, students at Edmund W. Miles Middle School and Amityville Memorial High School learned about the brave men and women who served in the United States military and why their sacrifices are important.

At the middle school, social studies teacher Frank O’Brian and hall monitor Sykes Reese spoke to students through a Google Meet videoconference about their experiences in the Navy. They each presented a slideshow with photos and video clips, then participated in a virtual question and answer session with students.

Middle school students also wrote letters to veterans or current members of the military. They had the option of writing a thank-you letter to Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Reese, Amityville graduates Esteban Idrovo and Rene Idrovo who are presently serving in the armed forces, a veteran they know personally, or a generic letter to be sent through SupportOurTroops.org.

At Amityville Memorial High School, three current servicemen participated in a half-hour videoconference with students during their seminar period on Nov. 12. All classrooms tuned in and students learning remotely could also watch from their Chromebooks. 

The speakers included both active duty military personnel and reservists. Assistant Brian Suckle, who coordinated the program and facilitated the discussion, said they talked about their reasons for enlisting, the branches of the military they belong to, their military experiences and career opportunities in the armed forces. They also took questions from students and teachers. 

Earlier in the week, high school students learned about the six core principles of the Medal of Honor, the most prestigious personal military decoration, and watched videos about past medal winners. 

Keeping school buildings clean and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic is a vital role, and students at Edmund W. Miles Middle School wanted to recognize that effort. Students in the National Junior Honor Society showed their appreciation for the school’s custodial staff with a special presentation.

Honor society adviser Carlee Brunson said that although the options are limited this year, her students still want to find ways of fulfilling the organization’s community service mission. She met with them over Google Meet to discuss ideas, and they decided to recognize the custodians because their efforts directly impact the students. 

Ms. Brunson created a blank Google Slides presentation, and each student filled one page with graphics and personal messages of thanks. She then printed out the completed project and presented it as a gift to each custodian. 

The eighth grade members of the honor society contributing their messages of thanks were Lizette Acosta, Tiffany Asbell, Jayda Barker, Jesus Barrios, Alani Bosse, Kayla Canales, Melody Cauley, Nyla Epps, Paola Flores, April Kenny, Julina McMeo, Alisson Molina, Nathalia Moreno, Luis Moreno, Janaiya Randolph, Jonathan Ruiz-Chirinos, Janithza Sanabria and Sasha Urias.

“You always ensure that the students can learn in a clean environment, you are friendly with the students, and you make sure everything is safe for not only students, but for faculty as well,” Alani wrote.

Tiffany, the chapter president, wrote, “Thank you so much for keeping our schools safe, comfortable, and clean! Even if you don’t always hear it from everyone, we appreciate all of you!”

“When I come into school I feel relieved knowing that the school will be cleaned and safe,” Jonathan shared in his message. “It takes bravery to do what you do especially when there’s a pandemic going around. You are what is keeping kids able to go to school and get the education that they deserve.”

Students in the Amityville Union Free School District are equipped with the tools to make good choices as Red Ribbon Week emphasized the consequences of substance use and abuse.

Red Ribbon Week is a national drug-abuse awareness campaign held each year at the end of October that inspires students to make healthy choices. This year’s theme was “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free!”  

At Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School, social worker Jessica Buzzerio visited third, fourth and fifth grade classrooms to talk about the dangers of alcohol, drugs, smoking and vaping. She also discussed peer pressure and shared tips on how to say “no.” Students demonstrated these techniques in simulated peer-pressure situations.  

The week of Oct. 26-30 featured dress-up spirit days including wearing red, wearing pajamas to “wake up drug free,” teaming up against drugs with sports jerseys and saying “boo” to drugs with Halloween costumes. The school also held a poster contest and students could either submit a hand-drawn poster or a digital creation using Google Slides.

At Edmund W. Miles Middle School, Red Ribbon Week lessons were presented during advisory periods for sixth, seventh and eighth graders. Teachers discussed the negative consequences of drug use and how the decisions they make as teenagers can affect the rest of their lives. Students signed drug-free pledges, which were hung on the “Bee Happy, Bee Brave, Bee Drug Free” bulletin board designed by art teacher Jennifer Dibble.

Middle school social worker Beatriz Offitto said the mission of Red Ribbon Week is to encourage children and families to live healthy, happy and drug-free lives. It also serves as a reminder that everyone is empowered to shape their communities through positivity, bravery and strength.

To create even more awareness, teachers decorated their classroom doors for Red Ribbon Week with many fun themes. From “Let’s Taco ’bout drugs… Drugs are Nacho friend” to “Rockin’ a Drug Free Life,” teachers came up with many creative slogans and designs to impart an important message. Students were able to vote on their favorite doors.