Students at Birch Elementary School shared the magic of reading by hosting a book drive for the Book Fairies, a nonprofit organization that donates books to disadvantaged communities. As part of the school’s Pick a Reading Partner (PARP) initiative, students donated enough books to fill 45 boxes for Book Fairies.

“The books will go directly to high-need schools and community outreach programs across metropolitan New York, directly impacting literacy rates in local neighborhoods,” Book Fairies Executive Director Eileen Minogue said.

Way to go, Birch students!

Students at Birch Elementary School welcomed a virtual visitor into their classroom on March 19. Author Jen Calonita partnered with Barnes & Nobel to meet with all of the school’s fifth and sixth grade classes to introduce her latest novel, “The Retake.” Calonita shared her experiences about becoming an author, provided insight into her writing process and fielded a plethora of questions from her curious audience.

Merrick School District sixth graders in Dana Gillman’s class at Birch recently came together to spread a message of positivity and kindness. Each student painted a single ceramic tile to create a mosaic of the school’s mascot, the Birch Beaver. 

The students planned out the design and received a tile to trace and paint with glaze. This project allowed the sixth grade students to work together to beautify the school, create school spirit and encourage others to be “bucket fillers.” 

At Birch, teachers and students submit bucket-filling recognition slips over the course of each week. “You fill a bucket by showing respect and care for someone, saying or doing something kind or giving someone a smile,” Principal Kerri Galante said. “When you fill someone’s bucket, you fill your own bucket, too!”

Students at Birch are finding new ways to stay connected and share a love of reading with their peers thanks to the recent reimagining of the schoolwide Book Buddies program. 

In previous years, upper grade classes convened with Birch’s youngest learners to read children’s books, helping to instill a love of reading throughout the school. This year, to accommodate social distancing and ensure student safety, Alison Ippolito’s fourth grade class used Zoom or Flipgrid to meet with kindergartners in Traci D'Alessandro's and Denise Kvint's class. Students were paired up with a buddy and took turns reading and discussing picture books of their choosing.

“The benefits of Book Buddies are profound,” Ms. Ippolito said. “The younger children experience what being fluent looks like and sounds like and the older kids develop social and emotional skills like patience and empathy.” 

Congratulations to the following Merrick School District students from Birch and Chatterton Elementary Schools for being selected to participate in a virtual Fiddle Music workshop sponsored by the Long Island String Festival Association on March 7. Students enjoyed performances by clinicians and famous fiddler composer Mark O’Connor and his wife Maggie O’Connor.

“This was a once in a lifetime exciting opportunity for these very deserving, young Merrick musicians,” orchestra teacher Marcia Miller said. “Congratulations to them all!”

Birch: 
Kellan A. (viola) – Grade 6

Chatterton: 
Chloe A. (cello) - Grade 5
Leland K. (violin) - Grade 6
Jonas W. (violin) - Grade 6
Sky Z. (cello) - Grade 6