Unity at East Meadow schools

In a stance against bullying, students and staff in the East Meadow School District dressed in orange on Oct. 17 and celebrated Unity Day.

At W.T. Clarke Middle School, there was an assembly for each of the sixth, seventh and eighth-grade classes throughout the day. Clarke Middle School is partnering with Sandy Hook Promise to take part in the “Start with Hello” initiative, which creates a culture of inclusion by teaching students skills for reaching out to and including those who may be dealing with social isolation.

The culminating activity of Unity Day included every student, from all nine of the district’s buildings, signing their names on large paper flowers, signifying their pledge to say no to bullying and yes to kindness. The flowers were then sent to the Leon J. Campo Salisbury Center, where Art Honor Society students from East Meadow High School and W.T. Clarke High School came together with PTA Council members to create a “One East Meadow” mural. This “garden” mural will be proudly displayed in the conference room through the end of the year.

—Brian Stieglitz