Memorial JHS has earned several recognitions this year that demonstrate Memorial’s high levels of inviting practices, social and emotional support and rich academic program:
2016 Rising Schools to Watch Award from The National Forum to Accelerate Middle- Grades Reform
2016 National School of Character by Character.org
2016 Inviting School Award from the International Alliance for Invitational Education
2016 Grammy Signature School Semi-finalist
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2016 Inviting School Award
Character.org has recognized Memorial Junior High School as 2016 National School of Character. Memorial was found to be exemplary model of character development.
Character education is a focus throughout the Valley Stream Central High School District. All four schools embrace the BRAVE program, which inspires students to “Believe in the Rights and Values of Everyone.” Many lessons and activities held throughout the year in various subject areas incorporate this theme.
“I am excited that Memorial’s commitment to character education has been recognized,” said Principal Anthony Mignella. “It is a culmination of our programs, practice, polices and the things our students and staff do every day that is making our school shine. I am so proud of the all the hard work that our students, staff and parents do to makes Memorial such a fantastic school.”
An active BRAVE committee organizes various character education initiatives that support Memorial’s core values. For instance, every October, Anti-Bullying Month is recognized with activities that develop good hearts and minds, including annual C.A.R.E. Weeks twice a year. The Good Deed program recognizes students demonstrating good character and Positive Message on a Locker effort coordinated by BRAVE participants as well as the World of Difference Club provided thoughtful and encouraging messages on every student’s locker. Diversity Week, held each spring, emphasizes acceptance and unity as well as numerous school wide charity efforts and service learning lessons. Memorial would like to thank Dr. Phillip Fusco from the Academy for Character Education at the SAGE Colleges for all his support in the area of character education.
The Valley Stream Central High School District is one of only four districts to earn the national distinction, and South and Memorial are among 68 schools across the United States presented with this honor. They will be formally commended, along with other designated schools, at Character.org’s 23rd National Forum on Character Education in Washington, DC in October.
“We are extremely proud of this year’s designated schools and districts for their dedication to character development which has proven to increase the well-being of so many students’ lives across the United States and beyond,” said Becky Sipos, Character.org’s President & CEO. “These character initiatives create conditions for learning where students are thriving and growing into ethical members of our society. They are developing lifelong skillsets they will leverage well into their adult lives.”
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This Friday, May 20th Memorial Junior High School will be hosting a staff softball game in which they will be competing against their sister school, Central High School . Memorial Junior High is the feeder school to Central High School where students go to finish out their last years in the district. All proceeds from the sale of food and drinks will go to benefit the Quinn Madeleine foundation. Eileen Linzer(O’Gara) is an alumni of Memorial and Central, she started the foundation in memory of her daughter. The Quinn Madeleine Foundation is a wish-granting organization serving children under age 3 diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening disease.
http://www.quinnmadeleine.org/
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Memorial Junior High Students ‘On a Roll’ with Success
On March 7, Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School launched a new program called On a Roll, aimed to recognize the successes of students in all areas, across all grades.
Students who improved their grade by five or more points received certificates to honor their achievements and efforts. The administration and teachers are hopeful that these acknowledgments of success will inspire students to continue working diligently in their academics and make positive changes both in and outside of school.
A day of celebration was created as more than 1,200 certificates were distributed, 398 of which were presented at the seventh-grade level, 457 at the eighth-grade level and 381 among ninth-graders.
Throughout the day, a sense of pride was felt throughout the building as students shared their certificates and enthusiasm with peers. The On a Roll concept was initially presented to the administration by teachers Laura Dunham and Kim Cazzetto. The program is designed to praise students for their efforts and help them to develop a growth mindset.
Memorial Junior HS Students Give Back with Baskets
Eighth-grade students in Frances Howell’s class at Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School participated in a community service activity at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, located in Valley Stream. They filled Easter baskets that were distributed to local families just in time for the holiday.
This initiative supported the school’s service learning efforts. The students had a greater appreciation of their task once they understood they were helping put a smile on other children’s faces.
After the visit, they reflected on the experience. Among the lessons students learned were, “that helping people in need is the most important thing we can do,” “that it’s nice to give back to the community,” “That it is important to help other people and when you help, it will make other people feel very happy.”
Memorial JHS a Rising School to Watch
Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School was named a Rising School to Watch through the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform’s Schools to Watch program.
Educators from the Essential Elements: Schools to Watch leadership team spent two days visiting Memorial to evaluate the building as a potential “School to Watch.” The evaluation was based on four criteria: academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structure.
According to the Forum’s website, it identifies and disseminates best practices, articulates and promotes effective policies, recognizes and develops enlightened leadership, and informs and engages the public in order to accomplish its goal of improved academic and developmental outcomes for all students in the middle grades.
“This prestigious recognition demonstrates that the academic programs and social and emotional programs offered at Memorial are of extremely high quality. I am so proud of all the success of our students, staff and parents,” said Principal Anthony Mignella. “We will continue to set extremely high academic expectations and develop both the hearts and minds of our students so they can be successful inside and outside of the classroom.”
Memorial Junior High School students joined forces to support children with cancer and bring them joy during their hospital stays. The Clothing and Fashion class, World of Differences club and SADD club all worked under the direction of teacher/advisor Coreen Johnson to create pillowcases for Case for Smiles.
Case for Smiles is an organization whose goal is to brighten the lives of children with cancer and break up the boredom of a hospital stay by giving them a bright pillowcase and a chance to learn how to sew their own pillowcases.
The pillowcase initiative at Memorial Junior High School began last May, and efforts continued into the current school year. The Clothing and Fashion students took on the tasks of cutting, sewing and making patterns. They collaborated with one another and applied their math skills to precisely measure and align the fabric, which was generously funded by the Eagles Club parent group.
Students involved in the World of Differences and SADD clubs also participated in creating the pillowcases and additionally volunteered their time to wash and iron the finished products. “I had fun making the patterns,” said ninth-grade student Vivicca Carreras. “It feels good to make a difference for someone.”
The pillowcases were completed and ready to be distributed to their recipients on Sept. 17, when Memorial Junior High School also held a Pajama Day fundraiser to support the cause. Students and staff members came to school dressed in pajamas and donated $61 to help Case for Smiles purchase fabric for future pillowcases.
“It feels good to know that I helped,” said ninth-grader Khadija Zahid. “I know the effect that cancer can have on a family, and this way, [children] can feel happy in the hospital and have something bright and colorful while away from home.”
“They are learning to be selfless and give to others,” Ms. Johnson said of her students. “There is a lot of work involved in creating something from start to finish and then giving it away to bring a smile to someone else.”
