“This was a special, end-of-year culminating activity,” said Barthelmes. “It got the students thinking critically and deeply about the literature and learnings from the course this past year. I wanted it to be a fun, yet meaningful exercise.”

Despite the hot and humid weather, the students got right to work, using chunky sticks of colored chalk to write out their selected quotes. Some added decorative design elements, while others left the text to speak for itself.

Students drew inspiration from both their class assignments and their own personal readings. One student wrote out a quote from J.K. Rowling: “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” On another section of the sidewalk, a quote attributed to author Terry Prachett read: “Sometimes it is better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness.”

“It was so special to connect with the students through this activity,” said Barthelmes. “We had great conversations about their quote choices.” She said that talking about literature and what inspires her students makes her happy as an educator. “This was such a simple activity, and yet it brought so much joy into the world,” she said.

Three newcomers made a big splash when they joined Janet Ho’s first grade class at Furnace Woods this spring, especially when they took a swim in a plastic tub-turned-pool.

Gracie, Tom and Herbert are three ducks that hatched under the supervision of Ho and her students, and they quickly made themselves known throughout the school, drawing lots of attention as they waddled down hallways or ventured outside for some fresh air.

The ducks also had company, as the class additionally hatched chicken and quail eggs, resulting in five baby chicks and nine quail. Ho started bringing in chicken eggs for hatching a few years ago; this year, the activity expanded to include duck eggs, and then quail eggs. “The quail eggs were a little bit of a surprise,” she laughed.

In April, when the eggs first arrived, Ho set up three incubators in her classroom, and the students took turns turning the eggs three times a day. They also began keeping journals to document their observations.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have been taking walks outside and observing the local wildlife,” said Ho. “The students have been very interested in the birds we see, such as hawks, vultures and geese, so they were extremely excited to raise birds right in their classroom.”

After the eggs hatched, the fun really began, with fluffy baby birds fluttering around the classroom, even sitting with students at times, as they read or did work.

“I liked having the chick on the back of my hand,” said one student. “My favorite part was holding the chicks, ducks and quail,” said another, adding “It was so fun when they were reading with me!”

Ho said that the annual egg-hatching activity fits in perfectly with the first grade science unit on animals and their offspring.

Didgeridoo tubes and steaming chemical reactions were all part of the fun during a recent Mad Science event at Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary School. The presentation, called “Spin, Pop, Boom,” brought science to life in a fun and engaging way for both the school’s in-person and remote learners.

Carmen Ribeiro’s remote first graders were able to watch the presentation virtually. “My students absolutely loved the Mad Science program,” she said. “One said the event made her happy, and another said ‘the experiments were so cool!’” Another student remarked that they loved seeing all the other students who were attending the event in person.

“All of our K-5 students enjoyed learning with Mad Science,” said B-V Principal Josh Cohen. “The students learned a lot about chemical reactions in an incredibly fun and engaging way. Many thanks to our B-V PTA for providing these kinds of experiences for our students.”

Anyone with young children knows that diapers are an expensive necessity. The average cost to diaper a child is $18.00 per week, or $936 per year. For vulnerable families, the pandemic has only made things worse.

In early spring, Blue Mountain Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society decided to try to do something to help. The students organized a diaper drive to benefit the Westchester County Diaper Bank, run through the Junior League of Central Westchester and serving the entire county. The students’ goal was to collect as many diapers and wipes as possible to help the more than 8,000 children living in poverty in the county.

The diaper drive ran through the month of March, with the students ultimately collecting and donating 1,577 diapers to support the county’s Diaper Bank.

JLCW Diaper Bank Chair Leslie Bibbins expressed great appreciation for the students' efforts in a personal letter: “Your kind donation may help caregivers avoid difficult choices, such as choosing to buy diapers or pay their electric bill; it may also allow them to drop their children at daycare, so that they can go to work." She described these difficult choices as symptoms of ‘diaper deprivation’ or ‘diaper need.’ and said that the organization was "most grateful to you for fortifying our efforts towards ending this silent epidemic and improving our community.”

Seniors in Dr. Jeanine Hall’s Biomedical Innovations class recently put their scientific knowledge to the test, along with their marketing savvy, in order to solve problems and address health challenges that affect people everywhere. The class, part of the Project Lead the Way Biomedical track at the high school, focuses on the design of innovative solutions for the health challenges of the 21st century.

The students first researched the existence and significance of a biomedical problem of their choice, and then explored past and present solutions. Based upon their research, they then identified a product that would best address the problem they had selected. Finally, they explored possible design solutions, selected the best approach, and developed a design proposal, which they ultimately presented to the class.

During the presentations, students showcased their designs using models, prototypes, and/or or schematics, while sharing their marketing plans for pitching the products to potential investors.

“This project allowed us to get a much better insight into the careers we would like to pursue, or at least have an interest in, when we graduate,” said senior Orion Ijeh. “I was able to learn how to research a topic and adjust my presentation according to the audience.”

Some of the innovative products included a pain-free EpiPen alternative patch, an app that helps people better understand nutrition and make healthier choices, and tools to help paraplegics regain mobility.

“I was very impressed with the students' empathetic approach to developing biomedical innovations that greatly focused on improving the quality of others' lives,” said Dr. Hall.

When members of the Hen Hud Unified Basketball team take to the court, they often hear the sound of alumni and former players in the stands cheering them on. The co-ed team, comprising students with and without disabilities, has captured the heart of the school community, with its dedication to not only the sport, but also the dual goals of forging new friendships and having fun.

Nineteen student athletes make up Hen Hud’s Unified team, which competed against similar teams from Ossining, Mahopac, Mamaroneck and Fox Lane this season. High school teachers Dina Bertoline and Bradley Fredman serve as coach and general manager, respectively.

“This is our second season participating in the Unified program, and both new and returning players truly enjoy playing on this team,” said Bertoline. The team ended the season with a 3-1 record.

“Being able to give these student-athletes an opportunity to participate and be successful on the court is an amazing feeling,” she said, adding that she hopes to see the program continue in the future. “All of the players have formed friendships and made great memories together.”

She noted that the program has become one of the most popular sports teams at the high school.

During the team’s first two seasons, Fredman recruited some of the school’s Peer Leaders to join the team and calls the experience “rewarding for all of the students involved.” A few former players have even expressed an interest in teaching, specifically in the area of special education, after participating on the team.

Unified Sports were launched among local school districts through a partnership between Special Olympics New York and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

The Hendrick Hudson School District receives regular updates from the New York State Department of Health, New York State Education Department and the Centers for Disease Control regarding the coronavirus. Please check the district’s website regularly for current information and contact your child’s school nurse if you have any specific questions or concerns. Click here for the district's dedicated COVID-19 resources page.