Hastings Happenings - March 21, 2024

March 21, 2024

Farragut Game Nights Provide an Avenue for Cognitive, Social and Emotional Growth

On March 18th and 19th, during Neurodiversity Week, the PTSA and SEPTA hosted two Game Nights in the cafeteria: one for grades 5-6 and another for grades 7-8.

Specially designed for students to connect and relax, the event featured a wide range of activities. From bingo, chess, and board games to ping pong, foosball, and Twister, middle schoolers rotated through the stations. There was even participation from Hastings faculty, high school students, and parents, who brought their energy by facilitating the games and giving the kids pointers.

A special thank you goes to everyone who helped make the event a success, including the Custodial and Facilities staff for their help with the behind-the-scenes set up and clean up, as well as the Guidance Department who guided the PTSA and SEPTA to maximize the experience for students.

Elementary Schoolers Participate in National Nutrition Month with Discovery Kitchen

National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, promotes healthful eating and physical activity. Reinforcing this mission, Nicole Leote, a registered Dietician with Chartwells Dining Services, hosted an event called Discovery Kitchen to engage Hillside Elementary School students with a fresh recipe, culinary demonstration and tasting, and fun and informative nutrition education.

Starting with this month’s "Plant Power" theme, during their lunch periods on Tuesday, March 19, students learned about the health benefits of plants and plant-based proteins.

What was on the menu? Kaleidescope Salad made with cranberries, kale, chickpeas and a homemade lemon dressing.

"Chickpeas are a great plant-based protein option that are high in fiber, which keeps us fueled throughout the day," Leote explained to the students.

Below is the recipe card for the salad, which Leote and Hillside Cafe Cook Margarita Fuentes shared with the kids, along with a word search activity sheet.

"A few of the children were trying chickpeas or kale for the first time and found that they really liked it!" said Leote.

Given the students' positive reaction, the Food Service Team is considering officially adding Kaleidescope Salad to the menu.

Students Showcase their Research at Regeneron Westchester Science & Engineering Fair

On Saturday, March 16, high schoolers in Melissa Shandroff’s Science Research Program participated in the Regeneron Westchester Science & Engineering Fair (WESEF) at Somers High School, a forum for showcasing their research to scientists, business leaders, and the general public. Each year, WESEF sponsors the top students to advance to the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair. Over 700 high school students from Westchester and Putnam Counties participated in the 2024 fair, a record number of projects for the region.

"On Friday, I dropped by as students were practicing their presentations," Superintendent McKersie noted in his report for Tuesday's Board of Education meeting. "I was treated to a brief sample of each student’s research, which in each case matches college level work (and beyond) in the rigor of the topic, research design and methods, statistical analysis and summary of findings, real world applications and future research potential."

The students will learn how they did at WESEF at an Awards Ceremony this evening.

Fifth Graders Light Up the Stage with Latin Dance Performance

Guided by the sounds of Pablo Mayor’s Folklore Urbano NYC Orchestra, Farragut Middle School’s fifth graders took the stage to give a Latin dance performance to their families on Monday. The culmination of a workshop led by external partner Folklore Urbano NYC, the scripted production of original music and choreography showcased what the students learned over the course of the six-week program.

Connecting to the fifth grade Social Studies standards, the workshop highlighted the diversity of the Spanish, Indigenous, and African roots of Latin America with lessons on their culture, geography, and language.

“Folklore Urbano NYC's Cumbia for Kids Residency is the company we used for the second year now,” said fifth grade teacher Kyle Case. “We are so glad to have this experience continue for our students each year.”

Hastings Theatre Program's Latest Productions Wow Audiences

Fourth Grade's Frozen KIDS

Before performing for guests at the main events on Thursday, March 7, and Friday, March 8, fourth graders gave their fellow Hillsiders a preview of Frozen KIDS with a school-wide assembly and dress rehearsal. The students confidently took the stage, singing and dancing their hearts out to catchy tunes from the Disney movie.

Congratulations to Director Lisa Levine, Production Coordinator Phyllis Udice, First Grade Teacher Emily Isidori who used her dance background to teach the choreography, and to all of Hastings' teachers and staff for guiding the students to a well-received production.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, watch a couple of short videos below.

Fifth Grade's Mary Poppins Jr.

On Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16, Farragut Middle School’s fifth graders performed their musical Mary Poppins Jr. On both evenings, there wasn’t an empty seat to be had, as audiences smiled in admiration at the talented youngsters. Featuring song, dance, and visual effects, including a flying and disappearing kite, the cast lived up to their show’s key closing lyric, “Anything can happen if you let it.”

Congratulations to Director Jonathan Riss, Production Coordinator Phyllis Udice, and all of Hastings' staff who made the production a joyous success.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, watch the below photo montage.

Save the Date: Hastings Education Foundation's (HEF) Spring Gala

On May 10, HEF will host its Annual Spring Gala at Westchester Manor. Stay tuned for additional information in the coming weeks about this spectacular "Speakeasy" themed event.

Academic Challenge Team Hosts Annual Community Quiz Bowl Fundraiser

"Quiz Busters" Team (L to R): Fred Charles, Thomas Hermans-Webster, Dave Agosto, Susan Gliner.

Last night, Hastings High School’s Academic Challenge Team held its annual fundraiser, the Community Quiz Bowl.

“This is a popular event where the students are the moderators,” said Advisor Michael Willson. “The parents form teams and answer the questions.”

Twelve teams, with creative names such as "Hastings Hellions" and "Know it Somes", competed at the event. In all, over $1,000 was raised.

“A special thanks goes to Academic Challenge Team President Benny Feldman for coordinating the competition, as well as to the entire team for all their hard work!” Willson said.

Two of the Academic Challenge A Team Members Benny Feldman and Hazel DePreist-Sullivan.

Last Saturday, they won yet another tournament, beating Hunter College High School for the third time, despite playing without their two other team members.