Subject: Special Happenings at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School West Babylon in conjunction with
Hofstra University students
Special Happenings at the John F. Kennedy Elementary SchoolWest Babylon, New York
The teachers at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School in West Babylon have been teaching their students about respect and acceptance of differences.
Following the lessons the first grade classes were visited by special guests, Dayna Troisi (former graduate of West Islip High School) and Danielle Notaro from Hofstra University, Club Limbitless. Dayna and Danielle taught the students, The Good Manner Rules for Meeting People that Look Different and learn differently.
Dayna Troisi, president of Club Limbitless is a congenital amputee and knows first hand how it feels to be stared and pointed at. Dayna showed the students her prosthesis and showed them how it worked. Physically challenged puppets were used to entertain and teach the children about the subject matter.Dayna then read, Harry and Willy and Carrothead by Judith Caseley and Danielle Notaro read, My Friend has Autismby Amanda Doering Tourville to the first grade students. Both books are about friendships that celebrate both differences and similarities. The Hofstra students then led a discussion about the books and answered questions.
A special treat came at the end of the class when Dayna sang, “Let it Go” from the Disney movie, Frozen. The kids were excited to sing along. Dayna discussed how others thought Elsa was a monster because she was different and therefore had to run away and alienate herself. This created an overall feeling of empathy and understanding of differences.
Mrs. Anselona-Troisi, first grade teacher explains, “These social skills need to be taught to children at a young age thus making the world a more accepting and happier place to live for all. We don't always know the right thing to say or do, so we need to spread these good manners rules around.We are like the M&Ms, different on the outside but all the same on the inside. We may speak in different languages but we all smile and cry in the same language. Let's use our good manner rules to make people smile.”
At the end of the program, the children were sent home with a mini bag of M&Ms and most importantly, the message that went along with it.A list of The Good Manner Rules for Meeting People that Look Different and Learn differently and a bibliography of books that teach good character were also distributed to the children.
The John F. Kennedy Elementary School with all the schools in West Babylon School District had a very successful fundraiser for Autism Awareness Day. JFK Elementary School will follow up with a fundraiser in May for amputees during Spirit Week.
Interested elementary schools can schedule a presentation free of charge and/or donate by hosting a Crazy Sock or Hat Day. Please contact Dayna Troisi at dtrois2@pride.hofstra.edu
Hofstra University students
Special Happenings at the John F. Kennedy Elementary SchoolWest Babylon, New York
The teachers at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School in West Babylon have been teaching their students about respect and acceptance of differences.
Following the lessons the first grade classes were visited by special guests, Dayna Troisi (former graduate of West Islip High School) and Danielle Notaro from Hofstra University, Club Limbitless. Dayna and Danielle taught the students, The Good Manner Rules for Meeting People that Look Different and learn differently.
Dayna Troisi, president of Club Limbitless is a congenital amputee and knows first hand how it feels to be stared and pointed at. Dayna showed the students her prosthesis and showed them how it worked. Physically challenged puppets were used to entertain and teach the children about the subject matter.Dayna then read, Harry and Willy and Carrothead by Judith Caseley and Danielle Notaro read, My Friend has Autismby Amanda Doering Tourville to the first grade students. Both books are about friendships that celebrate both differences and similarities. The Hofstra students then led a discussion about the books and answered questions.
A special treat came at the end of the class when Dayna sang, “Let it Go” from the Disney movie, Frozen. The kids were excited to sing along. Dayna discussed how others thought Elsa was a monster because she was different and therefore had to run away and alienate herself. This created an overall feeling of empathy and understanding of differences.
Mrs. Anselona-Troisi, first grade teacher explains, “These social skills need to be taught to children at a young age thus making the world a more accepting and happier place to live for all. We don't always know the right thing to say or do, so we need to spread these good manners rules around.We are like the M&Ms, different on the outside but all the same on the inside. We may speak in different languages but we all smile and cry in the same language. Let's use our good manner rules to make people smile.”
At the end of the program, the children were sent home with a mini bag of M&Ms and most importantly, the message that went along with it.A list of The Good Manner Rules for Meeting People that Look Different and Learn differently and a bibliography of books that teach good character were also distributed to the children.
The John F. Kennedy Elementary School with all the schools in West Babylon School District had a very successful fundraiser for Autism Awareness Day. JFK Elementary School will follow up with a fundraiser in May for amputees during Spirit Week.
Interested elementary schools can schedule a presentation free of charge and/or donate by hosting a Crazy Sock or Hat Day. Please contact Dayna Troisi at dtrois2@pride.hofstra.edu
