Fifth graders in Jason Bond’s classroom at JFK recently researched the constellations that were in the sky on the day they were born, sketched their birthday night sky and labeled the constellations that were visible based on the season they were born.

JFK held its inaugural Career Day on Feb. 27, helping students make a connection between school and the workplace by speaking with visiting volunteers from varying fields including law, banking, the military, entrepreneurship and law enforcement.

Students were divided among 21 tables in the gym, rotating to the next table at the sound of the bell. At each table, students had the opportunity to learn about what each guest’s career entails and ask them questions.  

This innovative initiative was a collaborative effort, organized by districtwide counselor Angeline Ramos, high school business teacher Jill Perry-Eising, JFK fifth-grade teacher Nina Ragone, JFK Principal Kelly Benson, JFK Associate Principals Marilin Gutierrez and Shaun McLeod, school psychologist Amanda Luciano and social worker Carol Miller-Douglas.

“We all worked extremely hard to put this event together, but none of this would have been possible without the tremendous help from our volunteers and cooperation from all staff and faculty,” Ramos said.

A perfectly positive P.S. I Love You Day was celebrated in Deer Park on Feb. 14, with the color purple used to symbolize love, acceptance, anti-bullying and suicide prevention. Students and staff at the high school, Robert Frost and JFK were encouraged to wear purple to show their support, purple ribbon was wrapped around trees by the school and notes with positive messages were posted on student lockers.

Founded by West Islip teenager Brooke DiPalma, the event is held annually on the second Friday of February. DiPalma visited Frost this year to meet with the middle school’s student council and talk about why she started P.S. I Love You Day 10 years ago to honor her father, whose tragic suicide inspired the movement.

JFK third graders in teacher Ann Bullis’ class showed heart when they made special Valentine’s Day cards for 104-year-old veteran Bill White. While serving in the Marine Corps during World War II, White was awarded the Purple Heart. He has been creating scrapbooks of events in his life and the Valentine’s Day cards will become part of his collection.