Month: February 2026

Students and staff across the Middle Country Central School District proudly wore purple in honor of P.S. I Love You Day 2026, embracing this year’s theme, Be the Light. The annual observance promotes mental health awareness, kindness, and inclusivity, encouraging school communities to shine a light on the importance of connection and support.

Throughout the district, schools hosted a variety of meaningful activities designed to foster positivity and open lines of communication. For example, at Newfield High School, the Cohen Strong Program joined forces with the school’s S.A.D.D. Club to support Wellness Week and P.S. I Love You Day initiatives. Students received daily handouts focused on important mental health topics and were invited to respond to the “Cohen Strong Question of the Day.” Participants also contributed to a word wall filled with messages promoting positive mental health, reinforcing a culture of encouragement within the school community.

The Newfield High School Drum Club also marked the district’s 100th day of school by celebrating P.S. I Love You Day with students at Eugene Auer Elementary School. The Drum Club performed two assemblies where elementary students enthusiastically played along. Following the performances, Drum Club members visited classrooms for a meet-and-greet alongside the school’s friendly “Grimace” mascot. As a special gesture, the Drum Club gifted each classroom with purple mindful mindset bags filled with healthy mindset goodies and personal journal entries written by Drum Club students. The heartfelt messages promoted self-worth, kindness, and reminded every student that they matter.

At North Coleman Road Elementary School, the celebration extended throughout the week. Students decorated the building with hearts featuring motivational statements and participated in “Chalk the Walk,” filling hallways with uplifting and kind messages. Together, staff and students embraced the “Be the Light” theme by promoting inclusivity and ensuring that every member of the school community feels valued and supported.

Meanwhile, at Selden Middle School, students made a heartfelt contribution to the districtwide initiative. Ms. Scott’s sixth-grade Family and Consumer Sciences students created self-esteem snowflakes, while seventh graders designed color-scheme-inspired hearts—simple yet powerful projects centered on kindness, confidence, and self-care. In a touching extension of the day’s mission, Ms. Scott delivered 136 handcrafted hearts to veterans at the Long Island State Veterans Home. The hearts were created by Selden Middle School students, their families, and faculty members, reflecting a true community effort.

Through creative activities, meaningful conversations, and acts of service, students and staff across the Middle Country Central School District demonstrated that even small gestures can make a powerful impact. By choosing to “be the light,” the school community once again affirmed its commitment to supporting mental health awareness and building a culture of compassion and connection.

The Middle Country Central School District proudly celebrated Black History Month across its high schools with dynamic, student-led programs honoring Black history, culture, and contributions. Both Newfield High School and Centereach High School hosted meaningful events that brought together students, staff, and community members in celebration and reflection.

At Newfield High School, students organized an engaging and educational program that showcased artistic expression, musical talent, and thoughtful dialogue. The event was facilitated by student Sreya Roy and opened with a powerful performance of the Black National Anthem. The program continued with spirited performances by the school’s Drum Club and talented student dancers, highlighting the vibrancy and influence of Black culture in the arts.

A special highlight of the celebration was guest speaker Dr. Judith Brown Clark, who delivered inspiring remarks and engaged students in a meaningful Q&A session. Her discussion encouraged reflection on leadership, perseverance, and the ongoing pursuit of equity and opportunity.

Students also presented a moving Mask Art Exhibit. Each participant designed a personal mask and spoke about the symbolism behind their work, explaining what each element represented or meant to them. The exhibit provided a powerful platform for self-expression, identity exploration, and storytelling.

The celebration concluded with refreshments and continued conversations among attendees, reinforcing a strong sense of community and appreciation.

Centereach High School hosted its Black History Celebration, a student-facilitated event supported by teacher advisors Patricia Duryea and Vanessa Matlock. The program began with a stirring rendition of the Black National Anthem performed by Jaleeyah Cortes. Students then welcomed guest speaker Deborah Mann-Rodriguez, a Trustee on the district’s Board of Education, who shared her insights and experiences with the audience. Her remarks emphasized civic engagement, representation, and the importance of student voice.

The celebration featured several vibrant dance performances and a powerful “Past to Present” short drama. The performance traced the evolution of the struggles Black people once faced, highlighting the many rights, opportunities, and freedoms that were denied to them in the past and contrasting them with the progress achieved today. The event concluded with an energetic Soul Train Line, inviting audience members to join in the dance floor festivities—an interactive and joyful finale that brought the entire community together.

Through music, art, dance, and dialogue, Middle Country Central School District’s high schools created meaningful opportunities for students to honor Black history while celebrating culture, creativity, and unity. The district commends the students, advisors, performers, and guest speakers who made these events impactful and memorable for all involved.

—New Lane Memorial Elementary School proudly announced that Alyssa Hughes, a first-grade teacher, was awarded a generous grant from Tanger Outlets. Ms. Hughes used the grant funds to purchase new outdoor recess equipment, enhancing student play opportunities and promoting physical activity for young learners.

The newly purchased equipment provided students with engaging, developmentally appropriate ways to stay active during recess while supporting physical, social, and emotional growth.

Representatives from Tanger Outlets visited New Lane Memorial Elementary School to formally present Ms. Hughes with an award, along with flowers and a gift basket. During the visit, Tanger Outlets representatives took photos with students and staff to commemorate the occasion and celebrate the partnership between the school and the community.