With the transition to middle school just a few months away for fifth graders in Amityville, they got some help from their peers who know the lay of the land. Members of the National Junior Honor Society at Edmund W. Miles Middle School spearheaded a “Virtual Transition to Middle School” workshop for fifth graders at Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School.

Honor Society members, under the direction of adviser Carlee Brunson, created a presentation that included a picture tour of the middle school, a guide to block scheduling and the advisory period, and information about clubs and sports. They also discussed the expectations of middle school, the differences between elementary and middle school, requirements for NJHS and staff members they can turn to for support. The virtual program concluded with a question and answer session.

Noted Park Avenue guidance counselor Kim Balducci, “Although our fifth graders can't visit the middle school this year, we brought the middle school to them.”

To close out Autism Awareness Month in April, students in the Amityville Union Free School District brought attention to the disorder that is estimated to affect 1 in 54 children nationwide.

Students and staff at Edmund W. Miles Middle School took part in the Light It Up Blue campaign, and were encouraged to wear blue to school on Thursdays and Fridays throughout April. The school also made a donation to Autism Speaks. 

Math chairperson Monica Martin said that students learned about the importance of accepting others for their differences as well as how to be inclusive of students with autism. 

Northeast Elementary School held its first autism awareness walk on April 29 and 30. Pre-K students walked four laps around the school garden.  During class time, they modeled awareness by being helpful, showing kindness, being a friend and sharing. The students received certificates of completion to bring home to their families.  

Recognized for their academic success, 17 students from Edmund W. Miles Middle School were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society in a virtual ceremony. Congratulations to: Brianna Alvarado, Ashly Ayala, Heidy Chavez, Steven Chavez, Cristian Chicas, Ryan Daly, Zayla DeJesus, Ayaanah Ellis, Antoine Hilton, Robert Johnson, Robert Leach, Alliyah McQueen, Aurora Morales, Kelly Sanchez Penate, Jolieth Smth, Sage Stephens and Blessing Williamson.

Click here to view the virtual induction ceremony

After a month of designing and building, eighth graders at Edmund W. Miles Middle School put the finishing touches on their kites and then went outside to explore the laws of physics.

Students in Christine Quigley’s STEAM class studied the science of flight, learning about drag, gravity and thrust. They then built their own tetrahedral kites, which have greater surface area to catch more wind. Supplies they used included straws, string, tissue paper and glue. 

When it was time to fly on March 26, students brought their kites outside and ran across the back lawn, to see how high their kites flew and for how long. They then returned to the classroom to discuss the results, analyze their designs and identify improvements they could make. Ms. Quigley said the lesson came from NASA’s STEM website and also helped students learn about the scientific method.

Rosie the Riveter, a cultural icon representing the women who went to work during World War II, was celebrated on March 26 at Edmund W. Miles Middle School for Women’s History Month.

Students learned about Rosie the Riveter in social studies classes and how the fictional character was based on an actual factory worker. She symbolized the increase of women in the workforce in the 1940s. To mark the occasion, Assistant Principal Lurdez Berrios brought in dozens of red and white polka dot bandanas, which students and staff donned in front of a “We Can Do It!” bulletin board outside the cafeteria, reminiscent of the Rosie the Riveter poster. 

Also for Women’s History Month, there were lessons about International Women’s Day, the changing roles of women during the 1920s, the Women’s Suffrage movement, the Temperance Movement and access to education for young women around the world.