Dreams and Teams Work Together

By Crystal Cai

April 16, 2024

On December 22, 2023, 8th-graders enjoyed team building skills and conversation with friends and teachers at Jericho Middle School.

The exciting Team Day was the result of months of planning and organizing. Students were excited to be a part of the day’s festivities where they ate pizza, watched a movie, and got to know each other better. 8th grade team leader Ms. Vevante stated, “It was a chance for students to bond with their classmates and teachers. It also gave the students opportunities to bond and chit chat with friends.” 

During Team Day, students watched “A League of Their Own,” a comedy-drama set in 1943 that gives a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Ms. Vevante explained that the movie “addressed issues such as women rights and realities of life at home during World War II.” 

Many students were thrilled about the cheerful day. They felt that Team Day created many opportunities to socialize with friends, and hoped for more outdoor bonding activities across teams in the future. Upcoming team days might include mindfulness activities and collaborative work. Ms. Vevante added, “Our team is planning on activities to help students relax and destress by making group projects.”

In general, this Team Day was a success. From a student perspective, “It was an overall great experience because we had a calm day, and interacted with…friends.” Teachers also believed that Team Day allowed students to practice important communication skills: “We think that it's important for students to come out of their comfort zone, socialize, and lead each other,” Ms. Vevante expressed.