Clara H. Carlson School sixth graders hosted their own Olympics on April 11 as a culmination to their history unit on Ancient Greece.

Through the unit, the sixth grade scholars utilized the G.R.A.P.E.S. method to learn about key components of the Ancient Greece city-states Athens and Sparta, including geography, religion, achievements, politics, economics and society. They studied the Olympics, learning how the athletic and religious festival honored the Greek God Zeus and served as a unifying event for the city-states.

Dressed in their respective team colors, the sixth graders applied their newfound knowledge of the Olympic games in the gymnasium. Separated into teams, the scholars participated in events based upon the Olympic games, including the javelin throw, discus throw, chariot racing and relay racing. The games, which are an annual tradition at the school, were organized by physical education teachers Mary Delahanty and Glenn Saenz.

Following the spring break, the sixth graders will reconvene and review what they’ve learned through a fun rap battle activity, in which they will compare Athens and Sparta through lyrics. Additionally, Ancient Greece continues to be a theme in their ELA lessons, as they will begin reading the “Percy Jackson” series this spring.

Date Added: 4/28/2025

Dutch Broadway School fifth graders got a spark of excitement as they powered lightbulbs during a hands-on science lab. Working collaboratively with a partner, students designed, tested and refined electric circuits during a “Light it Up” lab experiment on April 11.

They constructed a simple closed circuit, consisting of a battery, wires and three identical lightbulbs. Using a model of this circuit, the students explained where the energy conversions occurred. As a class, they discussed light, heat, electrical and chemical energies, and how energy can be converted from one form to another.

Following the simple closed circuit, the fifth graders were challenged to develop, construct and test a new circuit in which one of the bulbs was brighter than the other two. They applied scientific ideas about energy transfer to explain why this can occur.

This lab encouraged troubleshooting, teamwork and effective communication. It is one of four state-mandated labs for fifth grade students.

Click here to view the Dutch Broadway School Fifth Graders Learn About Circuits in Hands-On Lab slideshow.

Date Added: 4/24/2025

Elmont Union Free School District’s Board trustees, staff and community were warmly welcomed by Stewart Manor School’s scholars to the Board of Education meeting with an informative and entertaining performance on April 8.

The sixth grade Kindness Crew began the presentation by leading the audience in a “Kindness” cheer. They shared the school’s vision that kindness is about being inclusive to everyone and loving yourself for who you are. Following the Kindness Crew’s introduction, scholars in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade sang a charming rendition of “I Love My Body” by Mother Moon. Second grade scholars shared their knowledge of geography and spreading kindness wherever they go by singing “Fifty Nifty States,” as well. 

Additionally, Stewart Manor’s LEGO robotics team was honored for their recent win at the FIRST LEGO League Long Island Championship. Guided by coaches Parveen Rampal and James Ristano, the team won an Engineering Excellence Award. The team has been invited to participate in the American Robotics Open Championship, which offers post-season competition opportunities to high-performing FIRST LEGO League robotics teams, on May 18.

The presentations concluded with NYSESLAT Academy Principal Rita Johnson, who provided an overview of the program and opportunities provided to ENL scholars and their families. The academy, held over the course of four Saturday mornings, had 203 multilingual learners enrolled.

Date Added: 4/10/2025