To further unify the student body at Westhampton Beach Elementary School, members of the school’s student council, in collaboration with the building’s Equity Team, created a schoolwide promise that students recite daily.

The promise is also displayed in the school’s hallway and was signed by all students. It states: “Together, we will treat everyone fairly and with respect. We promise to do our best to be kind to everyone. If we see someone being bullied, we will tell an adult. We promise to create a school where we all feel safe and happy! Together, we will create a school where everyone feels included.”

The pledge coincides with planned monthly character education lessons and activities related to equity and diversity. Driving the initiative are student council members, who will be kicking off the initiative in February with a Diversity Month. The month will include extensive learning about 90 famous African Americans throughout history. Students will be able to access information on these figures by scanning QR codes associated with their profiles, which will be displayed throughout the school. They will also be making a paper “diversity chain” featuring images of themselves.

“We are so proud of our students for embracing the promise,” said Principal Jeremy Garritano. “We believe this initiative, along with the creative input from our student council members, will truly make a difference.”

Date Added: 1/21/2022

Westhampton Beach Elementary School fourth graders learned about the life and history of Native Americans during a Journeys into American Indian Territory program on Jan. 19. During the event, students explored Native American artifacts in a museum set up in the school’s gymnasium. The museum included items such as Native American clothing, dolls and pottery.

Date Added: 1/20/2022

Fifth grade students at Westhampton Beach Elementary School presented an amazing performance of the musical “Snow Biz” on Jan. 13. The production, directed by music teacher Alexandra Gogas, featured scenes and skits depicting winter activities, including making snow angels and snowballs. All students had an opportunity to have their own singing or speaking role.

Date Added: 1/14/2022

Members of the Westhampton Beach Elementary School Student Council have kicked off their annual holiday toy drive. The students worked to create signs and collection boxes with a goal to amass as many toys as possible during the month of December. All of the toys will be donated to the Toys for Tots program.

The members of the Westhampton Beach Elementary School Student Council recently held a successful food drive within their school community. All of the food donations, along with additional nonperishable donations from St. Mark’s Church, will be provided to Westhampton Beach Elementary School families in need during parent/teacher conferences. Additionally, families will be able to select new toys donated by the Westhampton Pines community; gently used clothing donated by community members, parents, teachers and staff; and new winter coats donated by the Knights of Columbus.