Lakeside students are celebrating Month of the Military Child and Family. On April 12 they wore purple and through announcements and signatures on Purple Hearts displayed on each door, they recognized the importance of celebrating and honoring military connected families and their children. Thank you to all our retired and active military families and first responders for their service and sacrifice.

Date Added: 4/12/2024

In Library on April 8, Lakeside kindergarten students in Ms. Parodi’s class read books about the solar eclipse.

They gave the sun and the moon a voice by animating them, using their Chatterpix program to explain what would happen during the solar eclipse.

Date Added: 4/9/2024

Chatterton School students in Merrick experienced the SkyDome Planetarium ahead of the solar eclipse on April 8.

Students entered a sky-filled inflatable dome, brought to the building by Mobile Ed Productions, Inc. A navigator guided students and teachers with a projector and laser pointer as they “walked through the stars” of the Northern Hemisphere. Each visit was adjusted to grade-level appropriate lessons.

Students learned how to identify every planet in the solar system in dramatic "flights" toward each world. They were also introduced to Greek mythological characters and see how these heroes of the past can be found in the stars.

Students witnessed the night sky in different seasons and from different global perspectives. This experience was presented by the Chatterton PTA’s cultural arts committee.

Kindergarten teacher Melissa O’Donnell said the experience “brought the solar system to life and piqued their interest in space and the solar eclipse.”

“The students were super excited about seeing the Earth and other planets,” added O’Donnell. “They liked seeing Pluto and how dark it was. Now they want to expand their planetarium experience and head to the Vanderbilt Planetarium.”

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 4/9/2024

Lakeside School hosted school-wide assembly on Monday, April 8 to share engaging and educational information about the solar eclipse.

Organized by sixth grade teachers Melissa Robinson, and Soo Becchina and school social worker Dr. Lori Schneider, the event include science facts and safety tips.

“A total solar eclipse is a cycle every 18 months or so, when the moon covers the sun’s light completely,” explained sixth grader Natalie during the assembly. “A total solar eclipse is extremely rare because the orbit of the moon is not a perfect circle around Earth.”

“The last time Merrick had a total eclipse was in 1925,” added sixth grader Sloane. “The next time Merrick will get a total eclipse is in 2079,”

Students Soliel and Roxie demonstrated how to property open and wear the protective sunglasses distributed by the school.

Principal Libby Trencheny, Vice Principal Chris Colarossi and Dr. Schneider offered a visual look at what actually happens during an eclipse.

“The sun stays put, while the Earth rotates,” Colarossi said.

The moon, while revolving around the Earth, will travel in front of the sun during this eclipse.

Schools across the district provided eyeglass giveaways for students to take home and use under parental supervision.

“It is my hope that in the future, when you remember this historic event, you remember your time at Lakeside,” said Principal Libby Trencheny. “That you remember this is one of your homes, and a safe place where we all belong.”

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 4/9/2024

Students in Ms. Giovino and Mrs. Vernice’s class at Birch made their own models that simulated a solar eclipse. They used clay to model the moon and the Earth, and a flashlight to model the sun.

Students lined up the clay model of the moon to block the flashlight sun to demonstrate the upcoming solar eclipse that they would be observing at home this afternoon.

Date Added: 4/9/2024