STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In an effort to provide a sense of normalcy and connection for students while they are engaged in remote learning due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many Staten Island schools are putting together videos featuring everything from dance moves to thank-you messages. Many schools are also giving back to their school community and thanking Staten Island frontline workers.
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DONATING FACE SHIELDS
Students and staff at South Richmond High School PS/I.S. 25, a special education school, made sure to show their thanks to health heroes across Staten Island and Brooklyn.
Principal Anthony Casella said the school donated and delivered 300 face shields -- created using the school’s 3D printers -- to Richmond University Medical Center and Staten Island University Hospital at Ocean Breeze and Prince’s Bay.
The school also donated face shields to the Brooklyn VA Medical Center in Bay Ridge. Spearheading the project was graphic arts and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teacher Sergio Vastano.
In addition to the face shields, students wrote letters and made artwork to health heroes at the hospitals, including doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians (EMT), and various other hospital support staff. The letters conveyed the school’s gratitude and thanked them for their courage and commitment to care for those afflicted by COVID-19, Casella said.
You can view photos of the face shields and artwork in the gallery above.
We are sharing special editions of the In Class education column of the positive, uplifting, inspiring and fun activities that schools, teachers, and families are doing while schools are closed and conducting remote learning.
Do you have a story idea for the In Class education column? Email education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com.
Here’s a look at what other Staten Island schools are doing during remote learning.
HELPING THE COMMUNITY
Teachers and staff at PS 3 in Pleasant Plains wanted to find a way to give back to the community during the coronavirus pandemic.
Custodial staff at PS 3 in Pleasant Plains with donated food from PS 3 staff. (Courtesy/PS 3)
“What better way to give back to our community than coming together as a school community to help,” said PS 3 teacher Christine Masella. “We have many parents, as well as family members of the staff at PS 3, who are essential workers right in our neighborhood.”
More than $2,000 in donations were collected from PS 3 staff. The school bought food from Richmond Republic, The Pizza Parlor and The Hop Shoppe to donate to essential workers. Any food that staff ordered, the restaurants matched on their own.
Kelly Stissi, a nurse at Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze, poses with food donated by PS 3 staff. (Courtesy/PS 3)
Food was donated to the folllowing locations: Staten Island University Hospital; Richmond University Medical Center; FDNY/EMS Station 23 Engine 1685; FDNY Ladder 151 Engine 76; FDNY Ladder 155 Engine 78; the 123 Precinct. Food was also sent to custodial staff, food staff, and school safety officers working at PS 3, which is serving as a meal hub offering free grab-and-go meals to children and adults.
According to Masella, the school will continue to donate items to essential workers.
Kevin Zanoni and FDNY Engine 151 Ladder 76 with food donated by PS 3 staff. (Courtesy/PS 3)
Alexa Cracolici with the burn unit at Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze with food donated by PS 3. (Courtesy/PS 3)
A SURPRISE FROM THE VOICE OF MICKEY MOUSE
Seniors at New Dorp High School were upset to learn that their senior trip to Disney World would be canceled due to the coronavirus.
But teacher Tom Maresca wanted to make sure his students still felt a bit of the Disney magic.
“As you could imagine they were upset, for some of them, this was going to be their first time going to the [Disney World] parks,” said Maresca. “I myself [go] all the time and know there is something magical about going to Disney World. So when all this stuff happened and everything started to fall apart, I felt terrible.”
After failed attempts to reach Disney, Maresca had another idea -- he would reach out to the voice actor for Mickey Mouse.
Using the Cameo app, which allows people to hire a celebrity to do a shout-out, Maresca paid voice actor Chris Diamantopulos to send a special message to his students as Mickey Mouse.
“He hit out of the park,” said Maresca. “Really said a lot of kind words and then gave an awesome Mickey message for the kids. It really helped them and helped me give them some Disney magic.”
Diamantopulos reminded students about the “power of perception" and how they can think positively through tough situations, much like what students are going through during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I know that together, with positive thinking, patience and faith, we’re going to get through this,” said Diamantopulos in a message to students.
You can watch his message below.
GIFTING UMBRELLAS TO TEACHERS
- PS 78 Principal Jodi Contento, and her assistant principals Danielle Arena-Jacobsen and Kamor Olayokun Jr., delivered umbrellas to their staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy/Jodi Contento)
Jodi Contento, the principal of PS 78 in Stapleton, wanted to make sure her teachers knew they were appreciated during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Contento and school assistant principals Danielle Arena-Jacobsen and Kamor Olayokun Jr. went to their teacher’s home to gift them an umbrella for their dedication. Each umbrella came with a gift tag, which read “Rain or shine, thanks for being the greatest of all time!”
“We visited over 60 houses in 6 hours to spread some cheer and show appreciation for them,” said Contento. “The teachers were surprised and felt as much joy as we did! At PS 78 we have a motto, ‘We CARE’ which aligns with our four core values: Collaboration, Achievement, Respect and Effort! None of this would have been possible without of everyone’s efforts!”
You can view more photos from the visits below.
- PS 78 Principal Jodi Contento, and her assistant principals Danielle Arena-Jacobsen and Kamor Olayokun Jr., delivered umbrellas to their staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy/Jodi Contento)
- PS 78 Principal Jodi Contento, and her assistant principals Danielle Arena-Jacobsen and Kamor Olayokun Jr., delivered umbrellas to their staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy/Jodi Contento)
- PS 78 Principal Jodi Contento, and her assistant principals Danielle Arena-Jacobsen and Kamor Olayokun Jr., delivered umbrellas to their staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy/Jodi Contento)
- PS 78 Principal Jodi Contento, and her assistant principals Danielle Arena-Jacobsen and Kamor Olayokun Jr., delivered umbrellas to their staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy/Jodi Contento)
- PS 78 Principal Jodi Contento, and her assistant principals Danielle Arena-Jacobsen and Kamor Olayokun Jr., delivered umbrellas to their staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy/Jodi Contento)
- PS 78 Principal Jodi Contento, and her assistant principals Danielle Arena-Jacobsen and Kamor Olayokun Jr., delivered umbrellas to their staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy/Jodi Contento)
- PS 78 Principal Jodi Contento, and her assistant principals Danielle Arena-Jacobsen and Kamor Olayokun Jr., delivered umbrellas to their staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy/Jodi Contento)
- PS 78 Principal Jodi Contento, and her assistant principals Danielle Arena-Jacobsen and Kamor Olayokun Jr., delivered umbrellas to their staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy/Jodi Contento)
- PS 78 Principal Jodi Contento, and her assistant principals Danielle Arena-Jacobsen and Kamor Olayokun Jr., delivered umbrellas to their staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy/Jodi Contento)
- Jodi Contento, principal of PS 78, delivered umbrellas to show thanks to her teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy/John Contento)
PS 5 THANKS ESSENTIAL WORKERS
In a video posted to YouTube, PS 5 in Huguenot thanked essential workers and frontline workers. The video shows special notes that students sent to their teachers, and they were compiled into a video sharing their thanks and gratitude.
Student Matthew Brodetskiy wrote for the video: “If I had a chance to say something to an essential worker, I would say thank you for your service because you are helping people get through COVID-19."
You can read more special thanks from students in the video below.
A BIRTHDAY SURPRISE
Students at PS 56 in Rossville wished Principal Philip Carollo a special Happy Birthday with several celebration messages shared to a Facebook page called “Happy Birthday Mr. Carollo.”
Parent coordinator Marisa Franco and PTA President Stacey Lopez organized the Facebook page that featured hundreds of messages, photos, and videos from students and staff for his birthday on April 29. Franco said staff and students also did a drive-by birthday parade for him.
“This really is humbling and incredibly sweet,” said Carollo on the Facebook page in response to the messages. “Thank you so much for thinking of me. I really appreciate you all. I am blessed and honored to be part of PS 56!”
STUDENTS SHARE MESSAGE
St. Ann School’s Class of 2020 wanted to send a special message. Eighth-graders at the Dongan Hills school took individual photos of themselves holding up a sign with one word.
Teacher Lisa Gross combined the photos to create the message that reads, “We ask you please stay home and social distance so we can save lives and graduate on time! Patriots Class of 2020."
Lisa Gross's eighth-grade students at St. Ann School sent a message to the Staten Island community. (Courtesy/Lisa Gross)
FUN ANIMAL DAY
The children of essential and frontline workers at the Regional Enrichment Center located at PS 56 in Rossville hosted a Fun Animal Day on May 1.
View the photos below of student posing with a staffer dressed as the Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur.
Children of essential and frontline workers at the Regional Enrichment Center at PS 56 in Rossville pose for Fun Animal Day. (Courtesy/Jeffrey Chetirko)
Children of essential and frontline workers at the Regional Enrichment Center at PS 56 in Rossville pose for Fun Animal Day. (Courtesy/Jeffrey Chetirko)
Children of essential and frontline workers at the Regional Enrichment Center at PS 56 in Rossville pose for Fun Animal Day. (Courtesy/Jeffrey Chetirko)
Children of essential and frontline workers at the Regional Enrichment Center at PS 56 in Rossville pose for Fun Animal Day. (Courtesy/Jeffrey Chetirko)
Children of essential and frontline workers at the Regional Enrichment Center at PS 56 in Rossville pose for Fun Animal Day. (Courtesy/Jeffrey Chetirko)
APPRECIATING TEACHERS
Principals at Integration Charter Schools sent a special message to staff to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, which was held from May 4-8.
There are three charter schools on Staten Island operated by Integration Charter Schools: Lavelle Preparatory Charter School; New Ventures Charter School; The Lois & Richard Nicotra Early College Charter School.
“During this time of Teacher Appreciation, take a moment to be proud of who you are, what you do and what you have accomplished and know that I appreciate everything that you have done, are doing and will do," the principals said in the video.
You can watch the video below, which was posted on Instagram.
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