From July 6 through Aug. 13, students entering kindergarten through eighth grade in September have the opportunity to engage in fun activities while connecting with their peers in the Lynbrook Public School District’s summer playground program. The program is held at Lynbrook North Middle School and Lynbrook South Middle School, and the half-day program features recreational activities, as well as arts and crafts.

Campers participate in recreational activities with sports such as softball, kickball and soccer, along with arts and crafts, playground games and sprinklers. Each week, children participate in special events such as the summer talent show, carnival and Field Day.

From July 12 to 29, Lynbrook School District hosted its summer enrichment academy for rising kindergarten through incoming eighth grade students at Lynbrook North Middle School. Fifty-two students registered for the program, and students had the option to participate in one, two or three weeks.

Aligned with the district’s goals, each week centered around a different theme. Week one’s “Game On” theme focused on sports with stories, movement and math and lessons on perseverance. During “Be a World Traveler” on week two, students learned about diversity and how even though everyone is different, there are many ways we are all the same. Students took virtual field trips and learned about different countries as they stamped their passports each day. The final week’s theme, “Be A Buddy,” focused on social-emotional learning, friendships and how to be a good friend. Students collaborated on friendship projects, played interactive math games and went on reading playdates.

“We really wanted to bring in all of our district goals during the summer enrichment academy but in a fun and interactive way,” said program coordinator Allison Curran.

The summer reading assignments for both middle and high school students are presented in the links below. Have a great summer and enjoy your reading experience!

Lynbrook High School Summer Reading


Lynbrook Middle School Summer Reading

Students at Lynbrook’s North and South middle schools celebrated the ending of one chapter and the beginning of another as they graduated from middle school on June 25 and 26, respectively.

At both North and South, students entered to the theme of “Pomp and Circumstance” as their loved ones looked on. Speakers during the North ceremony included Principal Sean K. Fallon and class speaker Gianna Longo, while South’s valedictorian Kate Santoli and salutatorian Kelsey Roth, as well as Principal Kaitlin GaNun offered words of wisdom and reflection. Various awards were presented during both graduations as well.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to be saying welcome to graduation to everybody,” Fallon said. “A few short months ago, getting together for graduation was definitely not a guarantee, but here we are thankfully.”

Longo said she can’t believe how quickly the time’s gone, and she complimented her fellow classmates for a job well done.

“When we first stepped into this building together in fifth grade for orientation, none of us could have imagined being out on this field today,” Longo said. “To each student here this evening, you should be immensely proud of yourself. After three very entertaining, difficult and stressful years, we have finally made it to this point.”

At South, Santoli spotlighted a landmark that students passed every day during their time in the school for inspiration.

“Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears and never regrets,” Santoli said. “This quote, painted on a wall at South, has been passed by hundreds of students. The mind never gets tired of learning, is never afraid of gaining knowledge and flourishes when exposed to new things. Learning strengthens our minds and allows us to persevere through difficult times.”

Principal GaNun thanked the visitors for their support during a challenging time, but saved a major token of appreciation for the graduating class as well.

“Thank you to our graduates for giving us a wonderful reason to gather here together tonight in celebration and honor of you,” GaNun said. “I’m a teacher at heart, and I try to motivate the students to be the best that they can be every single day. I stress the importance in giving 110% in everything they did, and these students took that to heart.”

Students followed at both schools by accepting their diplomas before they left their respective graduations and prepared for their next step as the Lynbrook High School Class of 2025.

North Photo Gallery

  

South Photo Gallery

The global pandemic has led to isolation, heartbreak and loss for many, but for the Lynbrook North Middle School community, it also led to transformation, innovation and teamwork. Due to the positive efforts of students and staff this year, Lynbrook North Middle School was once again recognized by the Anti-Defamation League as a No Place for Hate School.

No Place for Hate is a self-directed program intended to help schools create a more equitable and inclusive climate where all students can thrive. To earn the No Place for Hate designation, a school must demonstrate a positive, safe and inclusive learning environment for students by designing and implementing at least three school-wide anti-bias or bullying prevention activities approved by the ADL.

Lynbrook North Middle School students and staff showcased this throughout the school year by creating and engaging in memorable activities that prompted important conversations about bias, bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination, name-calling, prejudice and stereotypes. They participated in special weeks and days such as Start With Hello Week, which fostered social inclusivity and mental health awareness; Unity Day, where students spoke about crucial subjects pertaining to social justice and inclusivity; and Diversity Rocks, a special project where students painted rocks and expressed themselves creatively after engaging in discussions about identity and the concept of stereotyping.

“We want to help students understand that everyone has a role to play in combating bias and bullying as a means to stop the escalation of hate,” said Lynbrook North Middle School Social Worker Sandra Gettenberg.

Staff members will continue to foster conversations about these important issues while finding new ways to continue to build a kind and inclusive school environment for all.