Second-graders in Maureen Gaertner’s class and third-graders in Diana Daniels’ class at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School created crafty snowflake ornaments together for a good cause. Using popsicle sticks, the students painted and added glitter to their wooden snowflakes, which they are donating to the Susan E. Wiley Parent Teacher Association for its Candy Cane Lane Holiday Shop. The proceeds from the craft will be used to help support the PTA.

Third-graders in Jeanne Daly’s art class at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School participated in an art workshop with Joyce Raimondo from the Pollack-Krasner House in East Hampton. Themed “Express Yourself,” Raimondo presented a slideshow on expressing yourself through art and the third-grade students created their own works of art using Jackson Pollack and Lee Krasner as inspiration.

Kindergartners in Maritza Benavides’ class at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School recently completed a lesson on heritage and shared information about the different countries and cultures from which they came. The students learned about the culture, dance, foods, music and flags from the different countries and compared their differences and similarities.

Students at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School are working together to make their school a more welcoming place. This year, as part of a districtwide character education effort, the school is participating in “Start with Hello,” an initiative for students in grade 2-5 to become more inclusive. The “Start With Hello” campaign, which is part of the Sandy Hook Promise, encourages students to make small but powerful actions and gestures of kindness to promote connectedness. Susan E. Wiley recognizes students each week who have received a character card for their kind gestures.  

Students in Danielle Bishop’s class at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School worked as engineers to design devices that could help them pick up fall leaves. They worked in teams to design and build their devices. After testing them out in the classroom, they made improvements to their designs. When the designs were finalized, the class took a nature walk and used their devices to pick up colorful leaves.

Throughout October, faculty, staff and students at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School have been raising awareness and funds to benefit breast cancer. Pink ribbons were sold throughout the month and staff wore pink every Friday. Four students – Anthony Genao (fifth grade), Danilsa Espinal (fourth grade), Serenity Woods (fourth grade) and Julian Watkins (second grade, not pictured) – were recently recognized for their efforts in contributing to the fundraiser, which included donations received from an ice tea stand. They each received certificates of appreciation from Principal Cynthia Florio (left) and Assistant Principal Janine Proulx.