LI schools get a jump on Halloween fun
Dozens of Long Island schools celebrated Halloween this month in activities that ranged from in-school trick-or-treating to costume sales.
In Lynbrook, the high school's National Art Honor Society hosted a "Pumpkin Blaze" in which students created dozens of jack-o'-lanterns that were illuminated on the school's athletic fields.
In Farmingdale, Albany Avenue Elementary School held its annual costume sale of gently used costumes donated by local families and resold at low prices. The sale netted $253 for the school's fifth-grade classes.
"Times are tough right now, and I know first-hand what it's like to buy $30 to $40 costumes that are only worn once," said Albany Avenue PTA member Dina Santorelli, who launched the school's sale last year.
In Smithtown, East and West high schools each hosted Safe Halloween programs in which K-5 students from the district's nine elementary schools trick-or-treated in the halls and enjoyed Halloween crafts, a haunted house and "spooky storytelling."
In Middle Island, Longwood High School's Late Afternoon Program also hosted a Safe Halloween with a "corn maze" made of burlap walls. Admission was a nonperishable food item.
"We know that Halloween is a period of mischief for some people," said the program's assistant facilitator, Bryan Makarius. "This provides a safe well-lit environment for kids."
Peace concert
Freeport Public Schools celebrated diversity earlier this month at a second annual "Peace on the Planet" concert, which attracted 900 students and visitors. The event, on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, included peace-themed skits and music performances by the district's eight schools at Freeport High School. Student peace artwork was also on hand.
Three new principals
Massapequa Union Free School District has appointed three new principals: Barbara Williams at Massapequa High, Patrick DiClemente at the Ames Campus, and Amanda Lowry at McKenna Elementary School.
Williams replaced James Grossane, who became assistant superintendent for student support. DiClemente replaced Williams, who was principal at Ames. Lowry replaced Jean Castelli, now executive assistant for student support. DiClemente had been assistant principal at R.C. Murphy Junior High in East Setauket. Lowry had been assistant principal at Deauville Gardens Elementary in Copiague.
Acting principal named
Giovanni Durante has been named acting principal of Syosset High School. He replaced Jorge E. Schneider, who retired after 22 years in the position.
Durante previously served as the high school's assistant principal and also has been principal of Lawrence High School.
COUNTYWIDE
Cancer awareness
Nassau County schools raised funds for breast cancer research in activities for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In Malverne, Howard T. Herber Middle School raised $1,450 selling pink manicures and temporary pink ribbon tattoos, pink lemonade and pink baseball caps.
In Levittown, MacArthur High School students were asked to "think pink" by wearing T-shirts, sweaters and ties in various shades of pink. The school also sold pink bagels.
Meanwhile, every field hockey team in Nassau County hosted a home game in which spectators could buy pink pretzels and wristbands for charity.
Updated now NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta explore the fall 2024 issue of Newsday's Fun Book.
Updated now NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta explore the fall 2024 issue of Newsday's Fun Book.
