Students across the Sachem Central School District celebrated the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with hands-on activities, parades, performances and service projects. These authentic learning experiences got students excited about Thanksgiving while teaching them about its history and traditions.

Students at Lynwood Avenue Elementary School said, “Move over Macy’s!” as they held their own Thanksgiving parade on Nov. 21. Fourth and fifth graders paraded the hallways with handheld balloons and creative floats. The students followed a parade route which first took them into the gymnasium filled with an audience of kindergarten, first and second grade students. Next, they marched to the second “grandstand” in the cafeteria where third graders and special guests including district administrators looked on. For the first time this year, the High School East pep band and Sagamore Middle School Arrowettes joined the elementary school students for performances.

Click here to view the Lynwood photo slideshow.

Similarly, Hiawatha Elementary School held a Thanksgiving parade for its kindergarten students. They dressed in costume following class themes as they marched outside the building in front of friends and family.

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Second graders at Wenonah Elementary School performed a play that highlighted the history and origins of Thanksgiving. Students incorporated several Disney songs into their performance in front of their families.

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Tamarac Elementary School kindergarten students participated in a Thanksgiving Adventure event. They explored different aspects of Native American and pilgrim culture through hands-on STEAM projects including a Mayflower Challenge where they had to create a boat with aluminum foil, log cabin and teepee building, and a turkey-themed problem-solving activity.

Click here to view the Tamarac photo slideshow.

Date Added: 11/21/2023

Students and staff members across the Sachem Central School District recently honored those who have served in the U.S. military through lessons and activities.

Several elementary schools invited current and former service members to their buildings to be thanked and honored. Veterans who are family members of Sachem students gathered for breakfasts which were followed by a parade. Students lined the hallways and outside of their buildings with American flags and thank-you cards as the veterans walked through. Following the parade at Tamarac Elementary School, students presented candy donations to the Farmingville Fire Department to be sent to troops overseas.

Other buildings invited veterans to be guest speakers and share their experience in the military with students. At Chippewa Elementary School, fourth and fifth graders participated in a question-and-answer session with vets. Tamarac Elementary School invited Staff Sergeant Dawn Amato to the building. Amato served in the military for 22 years and now works as a bus driver in Sachem. Alongside her service dog Peaches, Amato shared her journey about how she joined the United States Army and served her country.

Through these interactive events and in-class lessons, students learned about the different branches of the military. They connected with local heroes and expressed gratitude for the sacrifices they have made.

Click here to view the Cayuga photo slideshow.

Click here to view the Chippewa photo slideshow.

Click here to view the Grundy photo slideshow.

Click here to view the Lynwood photo slideshow.

Click here to view the Merrimac photo slideshow.

Click here to view the Tamarac photo slideshow.

Date Added: 11/15/2023

High School East students collaborated with fifth graders to boost social emotional learning skills at Lynwood Avenue Elementary School on Oct. 27. The high school peer education classes visited Ms. Trimboli’s fifth grade SEL classes to talk about acceptance, tolerance and all of the wonderful things middle school has to offer. Students worked together during a card game to spread the message, “Treat everyone like an ace.”

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Date Added: 11/1/2023

Throughout the month of October, students and staff at Lynwood Avenue Elementary School have participated in activities and fundraisers to support breast cancer awareness. Students created an honor wall to support those affected by breast cancer. They decorated awareness ribbons that were put on display in one of the building’s hallways. The ribbons honored friends and family members who have been impacted by the disease.

On Oct. 18, Sachem High School East cosmetology students visited Lynwood Avenue Elementary School to give students pink hair extensions and temporary tattoos. Students and their families made a donation to receive a hair extension or tattoo and raised a total of $2,000 for the cause.

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Date Added: 10/23/2023

Many Sachem students learned all about Hispanic music as part of the district’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. Elementary school counselor Justin Morales led interactive assemblies at several of the district’s elementary schools that recognized the importance of music in Hispanic culture and the contributions of many Latin American musicians.

Mr. Morales first introduced the art of salsa dancing and the instruments at the heart of salsa music. He then taught students about the impact of artists including Tito Puente, Selena, Gloria Estefan, Shakira and Enrique Iglesias. Students even learned the merengue dance and got up out of their seats to feel the rhythm.

Click here to view the Lynwood photo slideshow.

Click here to view the Waverly photo slideshow.

Date Added: 10/16/2023