BROOKLYN EDUCATION: Week of March 8

St. Bernadette School Choir shares songs and smiles

On February 16, the Saint Bernadette School Choir entertained the residents of Saints Joachim and Anne Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Coney Island for Valentine’s Day. The students had a great time sharing songs that the residents enjoyed and songs to which they were able to sing along. Let Me Call You Sweetheart and You Are My Sunshine were among their favorites.

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Last month, Bishop Kearney High School students showed their support for the anti-bullying movement and for programs that strengthen students’ self-images by participating in several events offered by the school.

Kearney began the week by inviting Saint John’s University Professor Dr. Nancy Kaplan to discuss the negative effects of bullying and the harm that comes from this kind of action.

During a very specific presentation, the Kearney freshmen and sophomores realized that by becoming upstanders instead of bystanders, they could have a positive influence in someone’s life. Dr. Kaplan also talked about the imprudent use of social media that, in some cases, will have a negative influence on future college and employment possibilities. Dr. Kaplan’s discussion was followed by two other school events: P.S. I Love You Day and Operation Beautiful.

On February 10, students were urged to wear purple in support of P.S. I Love You Day. The P.S. I Love You Day movement was started by West Islip, Long Island, teenager Brooke DiPalma to make something positive from the tragedy of her father’s suicide.

On February 13, after students and faculty had left the building, Kearney’s Self-Image Club, under the direction of the school’s nurse Mrs. Maureen Moses

The idea was inspired by the website, Operation Beautiful, founded by Caitlin Boyle

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On February 18, I.S. 30 and I.S. 220 participated in the first annual Teen Dating Violence Awareness Walk-a-thon sponsored by the Healing Center. The students proudly held their school banners in support of the cause as they walked along Fourth Avenue. February was Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.