Mental Health in an altered learning environment - Massapequa School District
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Massapequa School District
Spring 2021
Supporting Student
Mental Health
in an Altered Learning Environment
For students and staff across the country, and to help them adapt to a new normal.
school as they knew it changed in March Every building has at least one social worker,
2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic and they are frequently in the hallways,
forced buildings to close and to shift to classrooms and even at recess to check in
full-time remote learning for the rest of the on the students. The PPS department has
school year. A return to normalcy began provided several virtual workshops for
in September with the resumption of in- families.
person instruction, but the educational “Massapequa’s team of guidance
environment is still very different than what counselors, psychologists and social
everyone was used to just 14 months ago. workers has gone above and beyond
The Massapequa School District has in supporting our students and
long been committed to supporting the their families throughout the
mental health and well-being of students, pandemic,” said Dr. Jordan
recognizing that when students feel good McCaw, Assistant Superintendent
emotionally, they come to school engaged, for Pupil Personnel Services. “They
ready to learn and with the ability to form are acutely aware of the challenges
strong relationships with their peers and that students have faced in the last
teachers. Since the pandemic began, that year. Their commitment and dedication
level of support for students has only grown to the social and emotional well-being of
stronger. all members of the Massapequa learning
“Children do well with structure and community has provided comfort in
routine,” Birch Lane Elementary School a time of heightened anxiety and
social worker Denise Glenn said. helped ease the transition to a
The pandemic disrupted that routine, school setting that looks a little
as students quickly shifted to a remote different this year.”
learning model, then returned to school in The district has also
September in an environment that featured launched a mental
desk barriers, mask requirements and health partnership with
reduced opportunities for social interaction. Northwell Health this
At the elementary level, students spent more year. A psychiatrist
time in their classrooms, including for lunch from nearby South
and special-area classes. Secondary clubs Oaks Hospital
were mostly virtually. is on site in
Some students have continued with Massapequa
full-time remote learning. The Elementary schools four
Distance Learning Center was created, with hours per week,
teachers dedicated to students in grades and families have
K-5 who have chosen the remote option. around-the-clock
Secondary-level remote students joined access to psychiatric
livestreamed classes and interacted with their support. Psychiatrists
teachers and classmates through Google can provide a higher
Meet. level of support, including
Administrators, teachers and support psychiatric evaluations,
staff from the Pupil Personnel Services medication consultation, clinical
department have worked hard to ensure as case conferences and referrals for
smooth a transition as possible for students additional care.
A Peer-to-Peer
YES Partnership Provides Mental Health Lesson
Elementary Support Massapequa High School senior Isabella Ritieni recognizes the stress that
The social workers at Massapequa’s six elementary schools provide support to students and comes with being a teenager, so earlier this year she connected with students at
families through a unique collaboration with YES Community Counseling Center. The long-standing Berner Middle School to emphasize the importance of mental health and wellness.
partnership provides an even greater level of mental health resources. For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Isabella created a mental health awareness video
Adrienne LoPresti, executive director of YES, said the social workers have been working closely with for Berner’s seventh graders, which was shown during their health education classes. It focused
teachers and other school staff to monitor the “overall barometer” in schools in terms of student anxiety and on strategies to cope with everyday stress and anxiety and also emphasized to students that they are
also address concerns relating to individual children. They are particularly tuned in to students who may have not alone in dealing with these issues. Isabella also included contact information for local mental health
experienced COVID-related issues at home, such as a family member’s illness, financial hardships and quarantine. resources.
Social workers are trained for crisis-level intervention if a child is dealing with increased stress. Isabella, an aspiring teacher, could not present to health classes in person due to the pandemic, so she
Because the pandemic has created so much disruption, Ms. LoPresti noted the importance of creating a stable school decided to make the six-minute video. She also provided a survey to get feedback from students after they
environment for children, and Massapequa has excelled. viewed the presentation.
“I think the district – the social workers, the support staff, the administration and the teachers – have done a phenomenal job Berner health education teacher Denise Robertson said students benefit tremendously from peer-
trying to keep things normal where they could and create an environment that felt supportive and conducive to learning and growing in to-peer education, and Isabella’s video was short but impactful. She noted that after watching
challenging times,” she said. “That has really helped get everyone through.” the video, many of her seventh graders implemented some of the stress-release suggestions
YES also produced digital newsletters, shared with families by the social workers, with a variety of information for parents. Resources such as journaling and creating a worry box.
included guidance on how to talk with their children about the pandemic and the resulting changes, how to cope with transition, Additionally, Ms. Robertson commended Isabella for recognizing the need to have
how to stay socialized with other children, tips for managing anxiety and mental health resources available in the community. discussions in school about mental health and finding a way to do a meaningful
Massapequa’s elementary schools and YES also are working together for an ongoing food drive. Each month, a different community service project at a time when opportunities are limited. She said
school collects food for YES’s food pantry. Ms. LoPresti said this is another way of meeting the concrete needs of families.
the video will become another resource in the mental health curriculum.
Denise Glenn, social worker at Birch Lane Elementary School, said she and her colleagues increased their level
Isabella began work on her project last summer, and said she
of visibility in the buildings, so students know they are there for help. She noted that anxiety manifests itself in
chose seventh grade as her target audience so they can take this
different ways and they want to be able to jump in and help as quickly as they can.
Ms. LoPresti and Ms. Glenn noted that although there have been a lot of changes this year, students knowledge into their teen years.
at the elementary level have generally adapted well. They are finding the positives and will come
out of this situation stronger. Challenges always present learning opportunities, and children
today are understanding how to thrive in the face of adversity.
“The kids did such a great job transitioning to a really different classroom
environment,” Ms. Glenn said. “Overall, I do think everyone came through very
nicely.”
Navigating a
A Focus on Different School
Positivity Environment
School should be a happy place, and that’s the inspiration behind When schools shifted to remote instruction in March 2020, the Pupil Personnel Services staff at
Positivity Thursdays at Birch Lane Elementary School. The initiative, which Massapequa High School immediately launched a series of virtual chats for parents. It was an opportunity
started after the holiday break, has continued every week. for parents and guardians to connect with the school’s social workers and psychologists, as well as other
As students arrive at school, upbeat music plays over the public address system. parents, to understand that many people were going through the same tough situation together.
Teachers and fifth grade students make suggestions for songs, which are approved by There were different topics for the virtual chats, including how to talk to their children about the pandemic, ways of
Principal Stephen Aspetti and Assistant Principal Joyce Larkin. providing emotional support and coping with a sense of isolation.
Students and teachers are also encouraged to wear shirts with positive and uplifting messages. “We were, in the beginning of the pandemic, focusing on a lot of extra support,” social worker Joanne Waters
Additionally, each Thursday’s morning announcement includes a kindness challenge. Ms. Larkin noted said. “Students needed a lot of emotional support, and we continue to do this. Our goal is to do what we do
that there is a strong emphasis on kindness and compassion at Birch Lane, and students have excelled best.”
at being kind to others, particularly in a time of challenges. Emotional situations can affect a student’s academic performance, Ms. Waters noted, and the
At Lockhart Elementary School, fifth graders focused on positivity by creating 2021 vision early days of the pandemic may have created some unhealthy habits relating to eating, sleeping
boards. Teacher Andrea Licata said the activity tied into the district’s social and emotional and use of technology. The sudden disruption also can stifle the developmental process,
learning program by encouraging self-expression and a positive mindset. even for high school students. When school resumed in September, the PPS staff helped
Students had the option of creating either a paper or a digital vision board. For students navigate a return to a sense of normalcy.
those who chose paper, they combed through magazines, cutting out pictures “Social and emotional development is what we do,” social worker Marisa
and words that represent their interests, personal objectives and role Boulukos said, adding that their goal is to give students the tools they need
models. Students who chose the digital option created collages on to cope with difficult situations.
Google Docs with text and images found on the internet. Ms. Waters and Ms. Boulukos said they also provide families with
Ms. Licata said that the vision boards gave students a connections to social and emotional resources outside of school.
creative outlet and an opportunity to set goals for the new
year.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Kerry Wachter, President Jeanine Caramore, Vice President
Gary Baldinger, Secretary Cher Lepre, Trustee Allison Steakin, Trustee
Lucille F. Iconis, Superintendent of Schools
A Return
Superintendent’s
Message To Normalcy
for Clubs, Specials
As we near the last month of school, we
look back on what has been a challenging
but successful school year. We have navigated
education during the COVID-19 pandemic The progression to normalcy the school day,” Cooper Arbisi the elementary level, with the
and have come through it strong. Students
continued in April throughout said. exception of physical education,
have been engaged in their studies, and still
the district, with the return of Jack Holden said the in- have been held in the regular
made many great memories!
in-person clubs at the secondary person meetings are a better way classrooms since the beginning
In Massapequa, we have always prided
ourselves on educating the whole child. level and a shift in location for student government officers of the year. As of April, fifth
Social and emotional learning is an integral for some special-area classes to share ideas with each other. graders returned to the art room,
component of that, and we are fortunate to for fifth graders. These have Nolan Tucker explained that it the library and the music room.
have an exemplary program led by our Pupil increased mental health benefits makes them feel more connected. Although there were still safety
Personnel Services Department. Students for students, from increased At the high school, the Chiefs restrictions in place, it was a
and their families have access to a caring, socialization to simply getting a Challenge Club had its first in- welcome change for the fifth
compassionate and highly qualified support change of scenery. person meeting in April, with graders.
services staff, who consistently advocate for our Student clubs at Massapequa four students attending. Social Lockhart Elementary School
students. High School, the Ames Campus workers Marisa Boulukos and library media specialist Tara
We realize that the pandemic has created and Berner Middle School met Joanne Waters said the “extras” Gonzalez said that students were
challenges, and administrators, teachers virtually for much of the year, like clubs are what keep students once again allowed to browse
and staff throughout the district have risen but were allowed to resume in- connected to their school. the bookshelves. A few students
to the occasion to provide an even greater person meetings following spring Club meetings also continue at a time could look for books
level of support. No one does it better than break. through video conference so to provide for social distancing.
Massapequa! At Ames, student government students learning remotely can Returned items went into
I am very excited to announce that Lisa officers gathered for the first still join and participate. “book quarantine” before being
Silveri, our Administrative Associate for
time, in the same room, on April All special-area classes at recirculated.
General Administration, will take on the
14. They discussed different
role of Executive Director of Business and
projects, including ideas for
Operation, effective Sept. 1. She will replace
Deputy Superintendent Alan Adcock, who promoting the ALS Ride for Life
is retiring after 21 years of dedicated service and providing student feedback
in Massapequa’s business office. The district’s for the code of conduct.
strong financial standing is a testament to his Autumn Romer said that
leadership, and we wish him well in retirement! the in-person meeting made
We are planning to celebrate the communication much easier and
Massapequa High School graduating class fostered greater participation.
of 2021 in traditional fashion this year. The Gabrielle Montalvo said it
graduation ceremony is planned for June 21 added a “strong sense of
at 7 p.m. at Hofstra University, with a change unity,” and Tiffany Chan
in venue from the indoor arena to the outdoor noted that it allowed them
stadium. We are closely monitoring New York to get to know each other
State guidelines and will communicate any better.
changes in attendance requirements directly to “With clubs, it’s nice to
our seniors and their families. meet in person right after school,
Recently, the high school celebrated because we’re still energized from
National College Decision Day in which
seniors wore shirts of the colleges they will
attend in the fall, and the hallways were
beautifully decorated with handmade banners
honoring our soon-to-be grads. Plans are also
in the works for senior prom, senior awards
ceremony and senior car parade.
The district was once again recognized for
its music education program with inclusion on
the NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities
for Music Education list. This was the 13th
time that Massapequa received this distinction.
The music program has continued to shine,
even with pandemic restrictions. Our high
school musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” is
scheduled to be presented virtually in June.
This summer, we expect a full return of
our Fine Arts Program, Sports Skills Camps
and Summer Recreation Program. Please visit
the district website, www.msd.k12.ny.us, for
registration information. Also, don’t forget to
go to the website for news and other updates,
as well as our @MassapequaPS Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter and YouTube accounts.
Lucille F. Iconis
Superintendent
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