Deer Park Students Enjoy Creative Learning Opportunities

DEER PARK, NY — Deer Park students enjoyed special learning opportunities in the past month.

ENL students connect for Groundhog Day

Seventh and eighth grade English as a New Language students from Christy Villalobos’ class at Deer Park’s Robert Frost Middle School recently visited John Quincy Adams Primary School to spend time with a group of younger ENL students for Groundhog Day.

The middle school ENL students began by reading the Natasha Wing book “The Night Before Groundhog Day.” Each of the middle schoolers read a different part of the story aloud to the elementary school students. Next, all of the students worked on a groundhog craft together. The middle schoolers were able to assist the younger students and talk to them about where they were from and what languages they speak. Some students even spoke together in their native languages. Finally, the fun morning ended with a game of Groundhog Day bingo.

“It is so important to foster relationships between our ENL students throughout the district, and this yearly visit is a great way to do so,” JQA ENL teacher Maria Cacoperdo said.

Day in Clay spurs customized creativity

Fifth graders at Deer Park’s John F. Kennedy Intermediate School visited Briana Fayans’ art classroom during the week of Jan. 29 for the annual Day in Clay project. Each student had the opportunity to customize their own clay bowls or plates, utilizing stamps, texture tools and 3D elements before glazing and firing in a kiln.

“Every year our fifth graders look forward to their Day in Clay,” Fayans said. “It is a special tradition at JFK and the students love the opportunity to work with clay to create something sculptural. They enjoy personalizing their artwork, and I am always so impressed with their creativity.”