Bethpage elementary students get life lessons from older kids

BY GARY SIMEONE

It was all about positive affirmations and embracing oneself at the elementary school level last week. Bethpage High School and Middle School students visited the younger students to encourage them in their reading and writing skills and developed strategies to help boost their boost self-confidence.

Sarah Glassman, high school social worker and SADD Club advisor, said that creating meaningful lessons for the elementary students is something the club looks forward to every year.

“Creating lessons together with Christine Kennedy, the Central Boulevard Elementary School Social Worker, is something that we look for- ward to every year,” said Glassman. “We develop meaningful lessons for our high school students to teach to the elementary school students twice a year. This year we shifted our focus from bullying prevention to mental health and wellness.”

The older students, who included members of the high school’s SADD Club and middle school’s National Junior Honor Society, read to the younger grades and spoke to them about ways to boost their self-confidence and accept themselves for who they are.

“I liked our lesson because we were able to give the younger kids tools they can use to adapt to challenges they may face later in life even if they haven’t encountered them yet,” said Zachary

Fradella, a 10th grader and SADD Club member. “It’s so important to remind yourself and to teach the little kids that we need to embrace the small victories instead of focusing on our failures.”

Lily Kovac, another SADD Club member, said she wished she had guidance from older students when she was younger.

“It meant so much to me to be able to teach the elementary school kids about self-worth and self-acceptance. I think it is so beneficial to the kids and I wish that I had it when I was younger,” said Kovac.

Elizabeth Thomas, an 8th grade NJHS member, said “it was a good feeling of seeing how much I have grown since I was a little kid and now I can help the younger ones out.”

The elementary students were also presented with a video of bestselling author Grace Byers, who read her new book, “I Am Enough.” The video contained excerpts of her book, which reiterated the message of being kind to yourself and having confidence.

“This year’s lesson, based on the book ‘I Am Enough,’ was especially meaningful as it connected with our District’s recent P.S. I Love You Day message,” said Glassman. “This lesson reinforced to both the older and younger students that they all have special and unique characteristics that most certainly matter.”