Students in Mrs. Peck’s first grade and Mrs. Gunning’s kindergarten classes at Setauket Elementary recently completed a hands-on learning unit about marine animal rehabilitation, centered around a rescued seal named Lychee.

After adopting Lychee through the Riverhead Foundation, the students took a virtual field trip to the foundation’s hospital to learn about the care and recovery of injured sea animals. Each student brought home a stuffed Lychee for an overnight visit and wrote about the experience in a shared journal.

To support Lychee’s rehabilitation, students completed acts of kindness at home and collected donations for the Riverhead Foundation. The unit concluded with a memorable visit to Tiana Beach, where families gathered to witness Lychee’s release back into the ocean.

Date Added: 6/26/2025