Gotham Avenue School sixth graders recently participated in a comprehensive financial literacy program conducted by Ridgewood Savings Bank.

The students learned about financial management; exploring diverse payment modes, including cash, credit and check; and gained insight on managing debt. The bank visitors also discussed identify theft and the importance of securing private information. Additionally, the groups discussed modern examples of how money is spent and received, such as Venmo, Zelle, PayPal and others.

The sixth graders were collaborative and engaged with the visitors, asked many questions, and shared their own experiences with money. Students actively participated, showing eagerness to enhance their financial understanding and cultivate responsible spending habits for the future.

Date Added: 4/12/2024

Clara H. Carlson School recently kicked off its new club, the Build and Bond Buddies Club. The club, facilitated by school counselor Jane Dragovich and kindergarten teacher Kimberly Ludwin, was created for inquisitive young learners in pre-K through first grade. During the eight-week program, the students will incorporate a social-emotional learning component with STEM activities.

Fifth graders, who were recommended by their teachers, assist the club and serve as the “older buddy” and positive role model for their younger peers. Fathers, uncles and other father figures are also invited to attend the club each week.

On March 25, the Build and Bond Buddies Club members visited the Lego Robotics Club. They received a demonstration of the team’s robot, and each had a turn to prompt the robot to complete a task on the board. The SEL theme for that session was sharing. Following a game of Kahoot!, the students practiced their sharing skills by playing with Legos, Lincoln logs, Magna-Tiles and Play-Doh together.

School Counselor Dragovich created the outline for the club. She chose the SEL concepts to focus on each week, as well as the activities. Throughout the eight weeks, the students will focus on teamwork, empathy, confidence, decision-making and more.

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Date Added: 4/10/2024

Alden Terrace School’s gymnasium was transformed into a beautiful ballroom dancing space, as the fourth-grade classes demonstrated how to dance the merengue, tango, fox trot, rhumba, waltz and swing, during a Dancing with the Scholars event on March 15. The students participated in a 10-week ballroom dancing program through Dancing Classrooms Long Island. They were taught by teaching artist Geraldine Velasquez Marin and buddy teaching artist Joel Rodriguez.

Prekindergarten and third grade students, along with the fourth graders’ parents and family members, were invited to watch the students perform. Prior to each group dance, one student read aloud from their writing assignment pertaining to the program, and a team of two students were selected as the demonstration team.

After performing the dances they learned, the students invited a friend, family member or staff member to dance with them to conclude the showcase. The students, parents and guardians, and educators took part in a community dance, the merengue.

In May, select students will go on to compete in a showcase with students from all across Long Island.

Date Added: 4/8/2024

Stewart Manor School’s Lego Robotics team had a successful season, participating in both the FIRST Lego League Challenge’s FIRST Long Island Qualifier in January and the FIRST Long Island Championship on March 10. The team participated in the MASTERPIECE challenge, tasked with imagining and innovating new ways to create and communicate art across the globe.

The team is comprised of students in grades 4-6 who underwent an application process. Under the guidance of advisers Parveen Rampal and James Ristano, the students created a virtual museum.

At the qualifier event in January, Stewart Manor’s team received the Champion’s Award for their design, as well as the opportunity to advance to the championship round. They were once again victorious, as they were recognized as the First Finalist for the Innovation Project Award at the championship.

This is the second year of the Lego Robotics team at Stewart Manor School.

Date Added: 3/22/2024