To the surprise and disappointment of several students across New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo made the decision to cancel April break for all New York public schools, requiring students to continue with online education during their previously scheduled spring break. Although students would not have been able to travel or physically spend time with friends during their spring break due to social distancing orders, several students in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District were looking forward to spring break, originally scheduled from April 8 to 17, as a time to relax and take a much needed respite from online schoolwork. Additionally, several students and their families were excited to celebrate holidays including Passover and Easter during the scheduled time off. Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ralph Marino recognized the necessity of spring break amongst the Hewlett-Woodmere School District and collaborated with several other superintendents within the state in order to create a way in which Hewlett-Woodmere students could relax during their scheduled spring break while also continuing with online learning.
On April 7, all students, parents and teachers in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District received an email with a letter from Marino outlining district-wide assignments for students during the scheduled spring break. On Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10, it was recommended that students and their families take time to relax, reconnect and make memories by playing board games or cards and reading together. Students were also encouraged to give back to the community by writing thank you cards to healthcare professionals and first responders who are working so hard and sacrificing their safety in order to ensure the health and safety of others during this difficult time.
“It is hard to stay positive during quarantine but my family has been trying to do so by doing simple things such as playing board games, taking turns singing our favorite Disney songs or simply going on walks together. All of these things help to bring us out of our funk. I have been reading, drawing and talking with friends via FaceTime in order to try and make this unprecedented time a little more bearable for us home-bounders,” says Gabby Nakkab ‘21 about her methods of staying positive and making family memories during this time.
Marino declared the week of April 13 New York State History Week for the Hewlett-Woodmere School District. During this week, students had the opportunity to take a break from traditional school work while still participating in digital learning as instructed by Cuomo. During New York State History Week, students were assigned 10 virtual tours of historical New York State locations to view with their families. Students attending Franklin Early Childhood Center (FECC), Hewlett and Ogden Elementary, Woodmere Middle School and George W. Hewlett High School received different virtual tour lists, as the tours assigned were designed to appeal to the different age groups. Tours for FECC included a 360 degree view virtual tour of Bear Mountain and a virtual tour of the Long Island Children’s Museum. Students of both Hewlett and Ogden Elementary had the opportunity to explore several interesting sites including The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and the LegoLand Discovery Center. Students of Woodmere Middle School and Hewlett High School were able to explore the Corning Museum of Glass and the National Baseball Hall of Fame among several other incredible historical sites.
Students were encouraged to take a few notes from their travels and time with family in order to be able to have meaningful discussions with their teachers and classmates after New York History Week comes to a close on April 20. Teachers in each school are using different methods to integrate the New York State History Week assignments into their lesson planning. Several teachers have planned to discuss the historical travels with their classes beginning on April 20, while other teachers have asked their students to email them pictures of them visiting any historical site that has been assigned. Students were encouraged to send pictures of themselves on one of their visits to the sites, or to be creative and submit a photoshopped picture of themselves “visiting” one of the historical sites.
The virtual tours provided students with a wonderful way to enrich their knowledge of their home state and experience several amazing locations and historical sites unique to New York from the comfort of their own home. The tours created a sense of adventure and discovery for students who have not been able to leave their homes in weeks.
“I really enjoyed going on the virtual tours this week. I found them to be very fun, informative and entertaining as well. I especially loved experiencing the 360 degree view of Niagara Falls,” said Elani Rocha ‘23 about her positive experience with New York State History Week.
New York State History Week provided Hewlett-Woodmere students with much needed rest and relaxation in these unprecedented times. The Hewlett-Woodmere community is very grateful and appreciative of the work of Marino and all of the district’s teachers and faculty members for making the transition to digital learning smooth and manageable. The Hewlett-Woodmere community has been extremely cooperative throughout this demanding process and will continue to remain strong in the weeks to come.