From remote learning to the cancellation of many extracurricular activities, students have faced numerous hardships, challenges and inconveniences due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
That’s why second grade teachers Mrs. Brindisi, Mrs. DeMichele, Mrs. Haggerty and Mrs. VanDreason decided to treat their students to a day at the beach.
Or, as close to the beach as they could get!
For overcoming adversity, second grade students were rewarded with the first ever “Beach Day” on March 31. Students started the day reviewing various skills they have learned during the school year using a special beach theme. Students then went to Rising Stars Sports Center, a sports complex located next to the Upper Elementary School, for a bunch of fun, yet educational, beach themed activities.
The first activity, a game called “Snorkel for Treasures,” required students to “swim” around the ocean to find math problems written on ocean treasures. The problems reviewed all math concepts taught so far this school year. Students also played games called “Tide Pool” and “Fish, Fish, Shark.” After the games, students – all decked out in their favorite beach attire complete with fancy leis and skirts – took a break and ate snacks on their beach towels. Students concluded the day with writing a personal narrative about the best beach day ever.
“We came up with the idea because students have missed out on so much,” said Mrs. Brindisi. “So, we wanted to do something fun and educational.”
Students also took a moment to recognize Mrs. O’Connell, who retired as Primary Elementary Principal on April 1. Mrs. O’Connell was presented with a beach pail signed by and filled with a card from every second grade student for being the greatest princi“pail.” During the presentation, a few students held up posters reading, “We hope your retirement is just beachy!”
Mrs. Brindisi says the second grade teachers plan to make “Beach Day” a yearly tradition.
To view more photos from “Beach Day,” click here.