Second grade students across the district joined peers throughout Nassau County on Oct. 2 in celebrating the inaugural "Be the Change Day," a countywide initiative promoting peace, kindness, empathy, respect and positive action.
The initiative was launched through a partnership between the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents and the Shanti Fund Organization in recognition of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday and the International Day of Non-Violence. Inspired by Gandhi's message, "Be the change you wish to see in the world," the program encouraged students to reflect on the importance of creating positive change through everyday actions.
The event was organized with the support of Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Morrison-Raptis, who collaborated with Garden City School District Superintendent Dr. Sinha Kusum, Manor Oaks School teacher Lydia Manchery and community partners to bring the initiative to students across the county. The symbolic focus on students in grades 2 and 10 reflected the date of Oct. 2, creating a meaningful connection to Gandhi's birthday while engaging students in lessons that foster positive citizenship and character development.
As part of the observance, second graders participated in age-appropriate activities focused on peace and non-violence. Classroom discussions and read-aloud activities explored themes of kindness, empathy and respect, and students created "Be the Change" bookmarks.
“Our hope with this event was to inspire students to discover that even the smallest acts of kindness, compassion and respect have the power to create meaningful change in their classrooms, their communities and our world,” Dr. Morrison-Raptis said.
