East Meadow High School sophomore William Kemler was recently selected as a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership ambassador for the 2020-2021 school year. Sophomore Mikayla Verdi was named an alternate winner.

Founded in 1958, HOBY is an organization that strives to inspire and develop young volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.

The HOBY award is given to sophomores throughout the country who best represent certain characteristics, including but not limited to outstanding communication skills, sensitivity to the needs or concerns of others, courage to speak out for one’s beliefs and strong decision-making skills.

Both William and Mikayla will participate in the HOBY Leadership Seminar, which will be held virtually in June 2021.

The district congratulates William and Mikayla on their impressive achievement.

Students in Allison Brafman and John Sudano's fourth grade class at Bowling Green Elementary School wrote and delivered thank-you notes to the people who make their school great on Nov. 20. The fourth graders penned the memos to school administrators, cafeteria staff, security guards, custodians, nurses and bus drivers. The students then distributed the notes during a special Thankfulness Walk.

“As they hand delivered their letters, the students took pride in putting smiles on the faces of those they wrote,” said Ms. Brafman.

The East Meadow Board of Education recognized the district’s Terrific Kids and the completion of a symbolic Unity Day mural at their meeting on Nov. 18.

“Terrific Kids is a student recognition program that promotes character development, self-esteem and perseverance,” explained Kevin Kamper, a distinguished past president of the East Meadow Kiwanis Club. “The Kiwanis Club, in partnership with the district, is a proud sponsor of the Terrific Kids award.”

W.T. Clarke Middle School Principal Stacy Breslin and Woodland Middle School Principal James Lethbridge then announced the Terrific Kids from their respective schools for the months of September, October and November. Normally, the chosen students would be presented with special certificates by the board, but due to safety restrictions, they were not able to be present.

Following the presentation of the Terrific Kids, Veronica Nicastro, PTA Council president, and Kelly Gelfer, director of music and art, presented the completed Unity Day mural and its significance. More than 8,000 signed paper hearts make up the rainbow mural, representing the entire East Meadow community. Bordering the mural are individually designed paper butterflies, which were created by members of the East Meadow and W.T. Clarke high school art honor societies.  

“Amid the coronavirus pandemic, rainbows began appearing in windows across the country and became a symbol of hope,” Ms. Gelfer said. “The East Meadow rainbow mural we present this evening reminds us that we are united in hope, love and kindness, and we are all in this together.” 

Students at McVey Elementary School in the East Meadow School District recently participated in the McVey Kindness Project. This schoolwide initiative, spearheaded by librarian Ms. O'Neill and school social workers Mrs. Arnone and Ms. Napolitano, focused on social-emotional learning through the attributes of self-love, forgiveness and pride. Students in kindergarten through third grade discussed and illustrated books with these themes, while students in grades four and five discussed and wrote about the best parts of themselves.