The Edna Louise Spear Elementary School’s social-emotional learning program has a mission to make a positive impact on students. During a recent lesson with health teacher Mr. Benjamin Bajus, students in Ms. Nancy Winkler-Brogan’s third grade class collaborated on several scenarios with guidance from the Second Step web-based, social-emotional learning curriculum.

The students worked in groups on the steps: Say the Problem, Think of Solutions, Explore Outcomes and Pick a Solution. Two of them, Will Fabian and Michael Viviano, were excited to share their views on how the program helps.

“It’s a way for us to show kindness to kids,” Will said.

Michael added, “[And] a way to welcome new friends to school and show awareness of their feelings.”

Mission accomplished.

Date Added: 4/29/2022

To recognize Autism Acceptance Month, Edna Louise Spear Elementary School created a fundraiser to sell puzzle pieces for $5 each to raise funds for Families In Arms, an organization that raises money to send families of children with autism to Disney World. They are creating a wall of support throughout the month of April in the school hallway to highlight their efforts. Coordinated by special education teacher Mr. Steven Orlowski and teaching assistant Ms. Cassandra Meehan, staff and students wore blue on April 8 to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day.

Date Added: 4/22/2022

Edna Louise Spear Elementary School’s Buddy Program, a cross-grade-level initiative involving fifth graders in Christine Wicks class and kindergarten students in Melissa Martin’s class, created a Quilt of Kindness in the hallway to reflect on the friendships formed and lessons learned in the patchwork of character education principles.

Date Added: 4/19/2022

Fifth grade art club students, along with Edna Louise Spear Elementary School art teacher Meghan McCarthy, recently visited the Paul W. Zuccaire Gallery at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center to view artwork from graduating master’s students. During their visit, Karen Levitov, director and curator for the gallery, spoke with the students about the techniques and inspiration behind the artists’ works. The students also engaged in several hands-on activities.

Date Added: 4/8/2022