Connetquot Central School District celebrated, P.S. I Love You Day, held the second Friday of every February, on Friday, February 10. Each of its two middle schools, Oakdale Bohemia Middle School and Ronkonkoma Middle School, actively participated in ways to be kind.
Started nearly a decade ago by West Islip resident Brooke DePalma, “P.S. I Love You Day” is slowly becoming a day that is nationally recognized. The movement is to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. Students are encouraged to decrease bullying and recognize when a fellow classmate is in need of emotional assistance. Purple is the color for the day to stand in solidarity in the commitment to being kind.
Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School posted inspirational messages along with words of kindness throughout the building. Students were guided to add to each inspirational message and form a paper chain of kindness filled with positive affirmations. It was a creative and visual way to show just how far kindness can spread.
Ronkonkoma Middle School students were given the opportunity to write cards with three positive adjectives to describe a particular person. The recipient’s name was included on a purple flag that was posted at the school’s entrance. A designated “P.S. I Love You” wall held all of the cards for all to read.
“My son participated in elementary school, and I didn’t really know if he was going to participate in middle school,” said Patricia Johnson. “I was really happy with the hype that Ronkonkoma Middle School put on [this year’s] P.S. I Love You Day. My son got involved, and from what I am learning, a lot of the kids did too. It’s just a great way to show unity and stand for such a beautiful cause.”
Kimberly Nofi, the school’s social worker, reported that every student received a card with an inspirational message to start their day.
Hauppauge School District’s Pines Elementary School in Smithtown also celebrated P.S. I Love You Day on Friday and had a knack for spreading the spirit. The Be the Sunshine Club helped prepare for the day. Be the Sunshine at the Pines consists of 4th and 5th graders. Its purpose is to educate participants on the importance of kindness and performing acts of kindness. The club decided to place a bulk order on the P.S. I Love You Day website for all students wishing to purchase an authentic P.S. I Love You Day T-Shirt.
In addition to all students being encouraged to wear purple, the PTA decorated the building with purple balloons and created goodie bags. Each student’s goodie bag contained a P.S. I Love You bracelet, a purple pencil and a positive sticker.
The 3rd, 4th and 5th graders attended a P.S. I Love You assembly as well. Here, students watched a short video that demonstrated how one act of kindness could go a long way. This segued into an open, interactive discussion on how they all can brighten someone’s day through one simple gesture.
“The first time I heard about P.S. I Love You Day, my daughter was in Kindergarten. Her school made it a weeklong celebration and on the final day, she was to wear purple,” said President of the Pines PTA Kate Llanos.
“After a quick Google search, I learned the significance and meaning behind the purple. Let’s end bullying, depression and ultimately end suicide. As a community we need to make everyone feel special, loved and remind all that you are never alone. As PTA President of the Pines Elementary, I work hand in hand with our principal to make the week a success and support the school however I can.”
