School News

For the month of November, Sag Harbor prekindergarten students in Mindy Reyer’s class participated in several of fun and creative activities. Students learned about a different culture when they were introduced to African music. They explored a variety of handmade instruments, created from both natural and upcycled materials, before they made their own drums.

“Snakes in Pre-K” was a two-day lesson where students discovered all there is about the reptiles. Ms. Reyer encouraged parents to ask their children about what they learned, such as whether snakes have eyelids, how they smell, and if they lay eggs.

Ms. Reyer also had a yoga session in class along with some mindful practices. As part of their Veterans Day celebration, students created thank-you cards for the residents at Westhampton Care Center.

With the help of class parents, Mr. D’Angelo, Mr. Locascio, Ms. Von Hagn, and Mrs. Kelly, the prekindergartners also enjoyed decorating on Thanksgiving Craft Day. They brought home their handmade creations to adorn the Thanksgiving table.

The Sag Harbor Pre-K students are also studying construction and learning how buildings, tunnels, and bridges are made through blueprints. The study of construction helps the children develop their vocabulary, improves math skills, and teaches them about gravity, symmetry, and geometry. They recently visited the Pierson Middle/High School wood shop to get hands-on with their studies, sanding and finishing wood.

“Building is all about size, shape, weight, leverage, balance, and cooperative learning,” Reyer said. “It’s a terrific study, especially early in the school year when they are just getting to know each other.”

Sag Harbor students in sixth through eighth grades celebrated Red Ribbon Week, an annual event that encourages students to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles. To kick things off, Middle School student council members met with Sag Harbor Village Mayor Kathleen Mulcahy to get a signed proclamation declaring Red Ribbon Week for the Sag Harbor community and delivered a public service announcement over local radio. The remainder of the week included drug awareness and physical education activities and the introduction of the John Jermain Library as a friendly, safe space for the students.

Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest anti-illegal drug campaign in the country, promoting not just a commitment to drug prevention and education, but making healthy choices in all aspects of a student’s life — academic, social, and personal.

“It’s so important to get them engaged early in making healthy and informed decisions, and the students love it,” said Middle School teacher Eileen Caulfield.

Classmates said the activities helped bring them together, including game-show-style trivia in the library; “escape-rooms,” where students solved math problems or puzzles to unlock a positive message, team-building activities, with students working together to pass a hula hoop down a line without breaking contact; and decorating school doors with anti-drug themes, such as “Let’s be clear, don’t end up here,” with a painting of a tombstone and “say no to drugs” symbolism.

Many students said they were surprised at the huge number of teens across the country who use illegal drugs and vape, a hot topic on local and national school campuses. Leading up to Red Ribbon Week, the Drug Free All-Stars, in collaboration with SAFE in Sag Harbor, held an assembly at the Middle School.

Bridgehampton

Bridgehampton High School students attended the 2019 East End Youth Leadership Summit recently held at Suffolk County Community College’s Eastern Campus. The event brought together young leaders from other East End school districts to discuss important social issues and learn skills and resources to empower them to lead healthy lives and set a positive example for others. District staff members Danielle Doscher, Carl Johnson, and John Reilly also attended.

Bridgehampton fourth- and fifth-grade students explored science, hiked in nature, and participated in trust-building activities while developing teamwork, outdoor living, and collaborative problem-solving skills on a trip to Frost Valley. The three days of adventures included crossing cable bridges, visiting waterfalls, and observing animals.

“This was a great experience for our students,” Principal Mike Miller said.

Pre-K students have been learning about healthy habits this week, including daily exercise. Students practiced by playing on the playground and performing actions on exercise and yoga-pose cards with peers.

The Bridgehampton School has a new club, “Friends of Rachel.” Students and adviser Joe Pluta are sharing the work of Rachel’s Challenge to the school and community, with the goal of working to start a chain reaction of kindness.

The Bridgehampton High School Drama Department presented “Ruthless, The Musical.” This satirical stage production took place Friday and Saturday at the Bridgehampton School gymnasium.

The Bridgehampton Parent-Teacher Organization will host the third annual hall of fame induction dinner to honor Roger Golden, John L. Halsey, Robert Hopson, Albie McCoy, and Merle Wiggins. The event takes place Friday, December 13, at 6 PM at Bridgehampton High School. For tickets or information, contact Michael DeRosa at mderosa@bridgehampton.k12.ny.us.

Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center

The Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center held its annual Thanksgiving feast November 18. Students in the prekindergarten classes performed three Thanksgiving songs for their friends and families.

The center is making plans for a float that will be in the upcoming East Hampton Village Santa Parade.

A pancake breakfast hosted by the East Hampton Fire Department November 17 to benefit the center was a huge success.

Hampton Bays

Third- and fourth-graders at Hampton Bays Elementary School were inducted into the school’s K-Kids community service organization during a ceremony November 13.

The students became official members after filling out a brief application that asked them why they wanted to participate in the program.

Participants meet before school once a month and organize fundraisers that benefit a variety of community organizations and causes, such as breast cancer awareness. They are currently hosting a Thanksgiving food drive.

desiree@indyeastend.com