Massapequa Public Schools

Small group instrumental lessons continue throughout our schools which are an important part of Massapequa's music program. All social distancing requirements are followed, including a minimum 6-foot separation in orchestra and at least 12 feet in band. Students remain excited to learn their instruments and improve their music skills!

A Digital Delve Into Character Education at Birch Lane Simply showing kindness and respect can make anyone a superhero, singer and songwriter Jared Campbell recently told students at Birch Lane Elementary School. The school hosted its first virtual assembly on Nov. 23, with Campbell’s character education presentation streamed live on the interactive display boards in each classroom. The morning program for students in grades K-2 featured sing-a-longs with messages on the impo...rtance of being a good friend, treating others with respect, taking a stand against bullying and showing up at school each day ready to learn. He encouraged students to share the goodness inside of them with the world. During an afternoon assembly for grades 3-5, Campbell discussed being famous for all the right reasons and living a life of good character. Through song, he emphasized how students can change the world, starting with being kind in their own school. The virtual assembly was presented in partnership with the Birch Lane PTA’s Arts in Education committee. It was also available for viewing by remote students.

Unqua Students Take Up Balloon Design Fifth graders envisioned themselves as part of one of the world’s most famous parades during a technology based activity at Unqua Elementary School. Students in Kristyn Finnerty’s class designed balloons that they would like to see in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. With help from technology learning coach Alison Morgan, students used Book Creator to design their balloons. Their creations were based on their personal... interests, such as cartoons, movies, television shows and sports. Additionally, students were recorded in front of a green screen, talking about why their balloons would be good additions to the annual parade. They were then superimposed over a picture of the parade.

Fourth graders at McKenna Elementary School showed the disguised turkeys they made for a Thanksgiving-themed Magnet project. Students created their turkeys at home, using at least 4 materials they found around the house, then presented their finished products in class. The project also had a literacy component as each student also wrote an accompanying poem.

Tech-Savvy Students Give Thanks at Fairfield Technology helped students express gratitude at Fairfield Elementary School. As Thanksgiving approached, children took some time for personal reflection while also expressing their creativity. Teachers Danielle McCaffery and Mary Gaynor helped third graders create digital I Am Thankful For projects using Google Slides on Nov. 23. The first slide featured an image of a turkey with five feathers. Students had to put a picture or ...graphic representing something they are thankful for on each feather. For the second slide, each student added his or her picture to the face of a turkey and wrote about the five items they selected. Their finished projects were then printed out so students could present their families with a special Thanksgiving gift. Fifth grade teacher Peggy Meininger read her students A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, then had them reflect on the story. For the first prompt, students analyzed the theme of the book and compared that to their own thoughts and feelings about the holiday. They used Pear Deck to post their responses to a digital bulletin board. The fifth graders also studied the speech given by Linus in the book and its message about the meaning of Thanksgiving. They then wrote their own inspirational words to read at their Thanksgiving dinners.