In honor of National Poetry Month, fifth grade students from West End Elementary School studied different styles of poetry and put their creative writing to the test. As a culmination of the unit, the in-person students, along with a remote class, participated in a Poetry Picnic on April 23 on the West End field.

Leading up to the picnic, each fifth grader wrote original poems in the styles of free verse, haiku, list, personification, rhyming, simile and more. Students were encouraged to bring a towel or a blanket and distance themselves on the grass for the big event as they watched as their peers presented one of their original poems. Fifth grade teachers shared in the experience as well and presented their own poems with the students.

The fifth graders cheered on their classmates as they approached the microphone to read their poetry pieces. Topics included pre-pandemic times, family, sports, springtime and many more.

“My favorite part about this poetry unit was writing about what I like and learning about the different poem styles,” said fifth grader Nicholas Marino. “I especially liked doing the rhyming poem because I wrote about my love for basketball.”

His classmate, Matthew Ryan, found a new appreciation for poetry through the comprehensive unit.

“I didn’t like poetry a lot before this and when we started doing this unit, I found that I liked it because I learned a lot of new things,” he said.

The Poetry Picnic allowed students to proudly showcase their work, practice their public speaking skills and gave them a safe environment to connect in this pandemic era.

The PTAs of Marion Street, Waverly Park and West End elementary schools recently joined forces to create Lynbrook’s first unified Pick A Reading Partner celebration. With the chosen theme of “Reading Connects Us,” administrators, families, teachers and the community came together to make the week-long celebration of reading a success for both remote and in-person students.

All students were gifted the book “The Magnificent Makers #1: How to Test a Friendship” and enjoyed a virtual visit from the author Theanne Griffith. Students who finished the book were eligible to enter a contest to attend a special virtual author meet and greet. School librarians Meghan Ceglie, Heather LaBarbera and Marie Sarro-Pizarro also helped to arrange video read alouds which were recorded by Lynbrook administrators and shared with all classes.

In addition, students were able to extend their excitement for the book’s science theme by participating in a science dress up day at school. They were also encouraged to visit the East Rockaway and Lynbrook Public libraries to pick up science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) kits to build at home. Students who sent in photos of their PARP fun were entered to win gift card prizes from local Lynbrook businesses as well as the next books in the Magnificent Makers series.

West End Elementary School reading specialists Debra Aronson and Melissa Kulikowsky recently celebrated Women’s History Month with their fourth and fifth grade students by collaborating and exploring specific influential women from history.

The West End students were first motivated by an EdPuzzle video of famous women in history and then selected a historic woman to research. The students picked women such as Coco Chanel, Jane Goodall, Frida Kahlo and more to explore. They focused on the background information of these women, such as details of their lives, famous quotes and momentous events. After finishing their research, the students decorated a biography pendant with important facts and information about their influential woman. They then shared what they had learned with their peers.

Students throughout West End Elementary School kicked off Women’s History Month by exploring different influential women from the past. Classes heard nonfictional stories about specific women such as Harriet Tubman and Frida Kahlo, which was followed by reflective activities. Fourth and fifth graders created their own comic strips of a woman that they learned about. Using the website storyboardthat.com, they edited and placed characters, scenes and more. Through these unique lessons and activities, West End students learned that these diverse, resilient women are responsible for much of our society today.

Throughout the month of February, members of West End Elementary School’s Student Council raised $367 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities through their sale of $1 kindness grams. The kindness grams were displayed as a mural at the entrance of the school with student names on them and positive phrases such as “WHOOOOOO is proud to be KIND?,” “OWL Always be KIND!” and “It’s a real HOOT to be a West End CHAMPION!”

On March 4, the student council members, along with advisers Heather LaBarbera and Melissa Kulikowsky, had the honor of meeting with Devon Daniel, senior director of development for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, at their virtual student council meeting. Mr. Daniel explained the mission and purpose of the Ronald McDonald House Charities which strives to create, find and support programs to improve the health and well-being of sick children and their loved ones.

He also explained to the students how their donation will help keep the facilities clean, active and perfect for the families living there. After Mr. Daniel discussed the charities, the students acknowledged how amazing and kind it was. Mr. Daniel returned the praises by thanking the students for their generosity and kindness. It was an eye-opening experience for the West End Student Council who continue to make a difference not only in their school community, but for others beyond Lynbrook.