Across the district, students and staff celebrated Lunar New Year and the Year of the Rabbit through events, activities and schoolwide displays.

Nassakeag Elementary School held a parade led by Mr. Prinzo’s sixth grade class. Students created a large dragon puppet that they carried through the halls. In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes good luck, strength and health. The sixth graders marched along to the beat of drums and gongs, which are traditional instruments in Chinese New Year celebrations. After the parade, classes held their own festivities where families were invited to help students make crafts. One class created rabbit puppets and wore red, a color to represent prosperity.

Mrs. Kane’s kindergarten class at W.S. Mount Elementary School learned about Lunar New Year traditions. Students learned about the meaning of the color red and what the Year of the Rabbit symbolizes. They created a display for the school’s main hallway that reads “Gung Hey Fat Choy,” wishing everyone happiness and prosperity. Additionally, the kindergartners made smaller signs that say, “Xin Nian Kuai Le,” or “Happy New Year,” as well as paper lanterns. The class dedicated the display to Hui Jing Eggleston.

Arrowhead Elementary School students learned about Lunar New Year through the morning announcements. Two fifth graders, Olivia and Vivian, celebrate the holiday and wrote an essay about its meaning and traditions. They read their essay aloud to the entire building.

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Date Added: 1/24/2023

Elementary schools across the district held events to kick off The Great Kindness Challenge on Jan. 20. The Great Kindness Challenge is a worldwide campaign to promote kindness in schools in order to create a culture of caring, positivity and respect. This year, it runs from Jan. 23-27 and the theme is “grow kindness.”

It marks the fifth year Minnesauke Elementary School is participating in the week. Students gathered in the building’s auditorium for a kickoff assembly where they were introduced to a checklist of kind acts that they can participate in. Throughout the week, there will be schoolwide events including creating a kindness paper chain and a Coins for Cancer fundraiser, which donates money to local families.

Arrowhead Elementary School also held a kickoff assembly. Students participated in a singalong and happy dance with their teachers on stage. Throughout the week, students will be able to participate in kindness stations in the cafeteria where they can write kind notes and fill a mitten tree with acts of kindness.

It’s the first year W.S. Mount Elementary School is participating in The Great Kindness Challenge. Similar to the other buildings, Mount Elementary School will be hosting a spirit week where students and staff will dress up in different themes to promote unity. Additionally, the building is conducting a “Pack the Pantry” event and collecting donations for its food pantry.

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Date Added: 1/23/2023

The Multicultural Club at Arrowhead Elementary School learned about the history, meaning and traditions of Hanukkah. Students watched a short informational video and fun music videos explaining Hanukkah, created by a Jewish acapella group. They learned how to play dreidel and dance the Hora to “Hava Naglia.”

The club’s next session will focus on learning the history of Christmas and Kwanzaa.

Date Added: 12/22/2022

Across the Three Village Central School District, students are learning the power of giving through the annual Stuff-A-Bus campaign. Originating at R.C. Murphy Junior High School, Stuff-A-Bus collects toys to be donated to the Gerald Ryan Outreach Center in Wyandanch, which supports Long Island families in need.

At the district’s elementary buildings, student council members collected toys from their school communities. Members of the Murphy JHS student government then took a school bus across the district to collect the toys and drop them to the organization. Students of all ages were excited to participate and spread cheer this holiday season.

Date Added: 12/20/2022

On Nov. 28, fourth graders at Arrowhead Elementary School participated in the “Journeys into American Indian Territory” program. The in-school field trip offers an in-depth look into the beliefs and traditions of Native American people through hands-on, authentic experiences.

Students played Native American games that focused on math skills, fairness and turn-taking. They explored a museum with artifacts including animal skins and head dresses. Additionally, students witnessed the importance of storytelling in Native American culture, participated in making pottery and engaged in a government and decision-making activity. The program compliments Arrowhead’s fourth grade social studies curriculum and was a valued experience for students.

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Date Added: 12/6/2022