For the second year in a row, the Merrick Avenue Middle School community installed the Flag Field of Honor on Nov. 4 to recognize veterans and active military members.

The flags will be flown through mid-December as a tribute to veterans. The $1,760 in proceeds from the sponsorships is being donated to Honor Flight Long Island for Veterans, and theNassau County Police Veterans.

The Mack Family, who have an eighth grade student attending Merrick Avenue Middle School secured supplies, storage and materials for the flag field.

“We do this because we don’t want to forget the sacrifice that our veterans have done,” Dr. Jessica Mack.

Teacher Denise Schleith, a volunteer forHonor Flight LongIsland, helped to organize the effort.

“I think this is an incredible opportunity to teach our students the importance of honoring, recognizing and expressing our gratitude to those who serve and have served our country,” she noted. “It was a great morning where students were able to hear firsthand from veterans about their experiences while working together.I am really proud of our students and all they do to support our veterans.In addition, students from our International Buddy Club made and mailed over 40 Veterans Day cards. Throughout the year, our club members are very involved in fundraising and honoring veterans through Honor Flight Long Island which sends veterans to Washington, D.C. twice a year. "

Chris Levi, a veteran and double amputee, addressed volunteers and fielded questions from curious students.

“We don’t get through a lot of this stuff unless we work as a team. Just like this flag field. Many hands make light work,” Levi added, with his trusted service dog, Remy, at his side.

Sen. Steve Rhoads was also on hand to praise the student and parent volunteers for their efforts.

“This is one thing you can do in a very active way to show support to veterans and active military,” he said. “And this is something we should do every day; honor their service.”

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Date Added: 11/9/2023

Students at Merrick Avenue Middle School were invited to attend a crafting activity after school on Oct. 16, where they crafted and created personalized journals hosted by the school’s Wellness & Counseling Center.

School psychologist Kristin Bishop and guidance counselor Tammy Sabatino said the after-school workshop was aimed at helping students track progress and growth, gaining self-confidence, improving writing skills, reducing stress, finding inspiration and more. 

“You are kind of writing to yourself in this journal and compartmentalizing it all,” Sabatino explained to students. “You’re getting the thoughts out of your head and onto paper.”

“You can always go back and review it,” added Bishop. “It could be like a time capsule of sorts.”
Bishop added that journaling did not have to include writing.

“It could be poetry, lyrics or drawings,” she said. “Whatever you find is the most expressive for you.”

In addition to the individual journals students’ created, they were asked to craft an additional one to be kept in the Wellness & Counseling Center for peers to have access to. They earned community service credits for this portion of the activity.