While the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and Huntington UFSD finds itself in the midst of a distance learning program that the public health crisis has necessitated, the Southdown Primary School community has pulled together and risen to the many challenges that have emerged over the past month.
Southdown students usually fill the gymnasium once a month for a Splash Award assembly program where students are honored for their efforts in and out of the classroom and special school initiatives are introduced and promoted.
Southdown is the home of the dolphins, the school’s mascot. Students are awarded “splashes” for displaying positive behavior in the classroom and throughout the building.
One Southdown student is selected from each class in the building for formal recognition at the monthly “splash” assembly. The school considers these youngsters to be its “stars of the month.”
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented this month’s assembly from being held so the Splash Awards are being presented via virtual means using Flipgrid technology. It’s different, but still quite special.
Southdown Principal Scott Oshrin and the school’s faculty and staff know it’s just as important now to recognize a job well done as it is during normal circumstances; maybe it’s even more important.
The March Splash Award honorees include:
Kindergarten: Jaysleen Panameno, Darius Clarke, Jr., Skylar Nunez, Jesenia Guitierrez Sanchez, Katherine Garcia
First grade: Tatum Lyon, Amira Ingram, Michael Henry Jessie, Denisse Vidal-Vellalba
Second grade: Joseline Valencia, Keyri Umanzor Benitez, Angela Mayorga Vicente
Third grade: Charlie Mendreski, Abigail Byers, Ryan Kelly
“I would like to thank teachers Christine DePetris and Valerie Murray for putting together this awesome Flipgrid video to announce our March Splash Award winners,” Mr. Oshrin said. “Although we can’t be together, we wanted to make sure that we celebrated our incredible star students for their hard work throughout the distance learning process. These boys and girls, along with the entire school, have given their very best effort to continue their academic progress. I am so very proud of each and every one of them. Keep up the great work boys and girls.”
Southdown is staying strong and making the best of the situation. Teachers have rallied to provide students with the best possible education during these very trying times.
“Words can’t begin to express how I feel about the incredible Southdown staff,” Mr. Oshrin said. “They have given so much of themselves to make sure their students have what they need throughout this process. They represent the very best of our profession and prove each and every single day that even the most extreme barriers will not get in the way of them having a positive impact on the lives of their students. Thank you for making Southdown such a special school community.”