Levy-Lakeside Elementary School in Merrick held its annual Community Read-Aloud last Friday, at which community leaders were invited in to read to classes and discuss their professions. Among those in attendance were New York State Assemblyman David McDonough, Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg, Merrick American Legion Commander Bernard Hoffman, and Merrick Fire Chief T.J. Fernandez. Scott Brinton, senior editor of the Merrick Herald, read “Secret of a Peaceful Warrior” by Dan Millman, an anti-bullying book, to a fifth-grade class co-taught by Ginny Bennette and Susan Holland. Above, the fifth-grade class that Brinton visited. more

“You can always help the world in a different way.” That’s just one of the many reasons the Martin Avenue Elementary School Cares Council gives back, sixth-grade President Samantha Doile said. more

Newbridge Road Elementary School demonstrated compassion and generosity through the Student Council’s “January Jammies” program, which collects new pajamas for children and young adults in need. The pajamas were donated to Mercy First, an organization that benefits foster-care and group homes. Students enjoyed wearing their pajamas to school one recent Friday to celebrate the culmination of the program. more

On May 1, one month shy of his 50th birthday, Merrick’s Dennis Cohen will run in the St. Anthony’s Triathlon. more

Earlier this year, students in Amanda Kowalski’s class at Winthrop Avenue Elementary School in Bellmore wrote letters to Kowalski’s nephew, Lance Cpl. Michael Reyes of the U.S. Marines, and the soldiers in his unit. To thank the students for their thoughtfulness, Reyes recently visited them. Dressed in uniform, he told the students that he and his unit are helping to build schools and hospitals while overseas, spoke of the traditions of the Marines, and answered questions about his uniform and medals. more

When Merrick’s Robbie Rosen performed live Tuesday night with the top 12 males on “American Idol,” he was living his dream in front of more than 25 million viewers. more

Sacred Heart Elementary School in North Merrick marked Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4 with activities and games to instill school pride in students. more

The combined score of 214.7 that Saw Mill Road sixth-grader Jordan Jones racked up at the NFL’s recent regional Punt, Pass and Kick competition at the New Meadowlands Stadium wasn’t a personal best, but it was the highest score in the 10- and 11-year-old age group that day. more

The Newbridge Road Elementary School PTA, student council representatives and their teacher advisers, Karen Collins, Michelle Hooker and Joan Slutsky, recently prepared 12 food baskets to present to families in need from the community. The project was the culmination of a food drive that the school took part in. more

Merrick School District officials are reporting that two men in a light-blue Corolla approached a Chatterton Elementary School student who was walking home from school on Nov. 18 around 3 p.m. and asked the student to "enter their car." more