Twenty-two of Sachem’s most talented fourth grade musicians shared their creativity at the Suffolk County Music Educators Association’s Parents, Educators and Kids Music Festival at Northport High School on Oct. 26.

The PEAK Festival is an opportunity for fourth grade musicians to experience music activities while allowing parents and educators to join them in the fun.  Approximately 215 students from 24 school districts were represented during the PEAK Festival where they participated in several workshops exploring areas such as world drumming, folk dance, music games, body percussion, Spooky Beats, Drumtastic Alive and chorus. The festival culminated with a student performance that showed off their creative input and musical talents.

“PEAK provides students, parents and music educators a unique experience participating in workshops and performances together,” said Jennifer Fischer, Cayuga’s music teacher and co-chairperson for the PEAK Festival. “The smiles on the faces of all of those involved during the performance speaks volumes about the festival.”

Congratulations to the following students who were selected to take part in this event:

Cayuga Elementary (Teacher- Margaret Murphy)

Julie Calia

Olivia Cockern

Amir Grant

Savannah Ramsden

Julianne Tierney

Grundy Elementary (Teacher- Alyssa Gallagher)

Bailey Hussain

Emma Rooney

Joseph Cooper

Merrimac Elementary (Teacher- Debra Degenhardt)

Ariella Mohabir

Nokomis Elementary (Teacher- Christina Schaefer)

Vivian Beyer

Isabella Marin

Mackenzie Miceli

Tamarac Elementary (Teacher- Genevieve Diller)

Xavier Baum

Owen Rentz

Waverly Elementary (Teacher-Grace Kim)

Claire Fidel

Mason Krinsky

Ryan Kuerner

Maggie Markowitz

Wenonah Elementary (Teacher- Danielle Holmes)

Margot DellaValle

Raelynn Loevner

Autumn Michaelos

Abigail Sclafani

Click here to view the Students Share Musical Talents at 2024 PEAK Festival slideshow.

Date Added: 11/1/2024

Merrimac Elementary School third grade teacher Danielle Sicari recently wrote a children’s book focused on social emotional learning. “Find Grace in Your Journey” is a picture book teaching children the skills to change negative experiences into positive ones. Her inspiration behind the book is her twin daughters, Grace and Journey, who also serve as the story’s main characters.

Throughout the book, Grace and Journey move graciously through life at home, in school and on the playground. They find ways to enjoy unfriendly moments without worry or fear and appreciate their mishaps and imperfections, recognizing that no one is perfect, and no day is perfect.

Ms. Sicari has worked as an elementary school teacher for 23 years. She implements mindfulness and SEL lessons in her classroom to help students meet the challenges of the 21st century. She recognizes that SEL practices enhance student learning, help students better understand themselves, allow individuals to recognize and identify their emotions, improve their social behavior, promote healthy development and help students to function more effectively as individuals.

“Find Grace in Your Journey” is available on Amazon starting Oct. 19.

Date Added: 10/18/2024