Wellness Topics and Initiatives Archive

MS54 FOOD DRIVE Thank you to all the generous families who donated to our food drive this year! We have now closed up shop for the summer and are in the process of distributing our remaining items to the families in our community.

For summer options:

• Ascension Church on West 107th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues has a food pantry.  The pantry is open throughout the summer; distribution is from 10am to noon on the third Saturday of each month.
• The Westside Campaign Against Hunger on West 86th Street and West End Avenue. Please visit their website for more information.
• PS 75 and PS 145 will be open for meal distribution via the DOE.

When hungry neighbors told MS54 Parent Coordinator Anne Pejovich that the grab-'n-go meals, while very much appreciated, were not enough to feed their families, she listened and took action. The result: Thanks to your amazing generosity, we have run our food drive for 11 months, feeding 40 families in need!

We are deeply grateful to Anne Pejovich for recognizing this need in our community last June and working tirelessly to ensure every family had food on their table this year. We love you, Anne!

  

BOOKER T. WELLNESS DAY
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
9 - 11am, 2 sessions

This year, our 5th annual Wellness Day was virtual! Presenters in mental, social, and physical health met with students in Zoom rooms. Reach out to Alison Gardy with any questions.

COMMITTEE TASK FORCES

• Fun, social interactions to connect students
• Physical fitness fun
• Sleep hygiene and mental health
• Supporting teacher/parent communication
• Community service

FAMILY BUDDIES
In August 2020, dedicated MS54 7th and 8th Grade families volunteered to be Family Buddies to incoming 6th Grade families. They greeted the new families with a welcome Zoom call and have offered to answer any questions the 6th grade families might have throughout the year.

MEET THE TEACHERS
During the last week of August 2020, 17 Booker T. faculty members offered to Zoom with 6th grade families to welcome them to the school and start to build a sense of community.

REMOTE LEARNING - DIGITAL EYE STRAIN
​Spending long periods looking at computer, phone, or tablet screens can strain the eyes. Using the 20-20-20 rule can help to prevent this problem.

NO ONE EATS ALONE
A student-led initiative took place during 6th and 7th grade lunch on Feb. 11th, 2020.​

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
The holiday on Jan. 20, 2020, marks the 25th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

MLK Day of Service is a way to honor his life and teachings by engaging in community action that continues to solve social problems. Service breaks down barriers by bringing people from different experiences together – volunteering can unite Americans of all ages and backgrounds while building stronger communities.

Local volunteer opportunities:

• Repair the World
• UJA Federation New York

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
​Observed every year on December 10th by the international community. It is also the day in which the UN Human Rights Prize is awarded, as well as the Nobel Peace Prize.

It was on December 10th, 1948 that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in response to the “barbarous acts which […] outraged the conscience of mankind” during the Second World War. Its adoption recognized human rights to be the foundation for freedom, justice, and peace.  

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a document that acts like a global road map for freedom and equality – protecting the rights of every individual, everywhere. It was the first time countries agreed on the freedoms and rights that deserve universal protection in order for every individual to live their lives freely, equally, and in dignity.

 

WORLD KINDNESS DAY
NOVEMBER 13, 2019
Being kind can have an impact on your psychological and physical health and wellness.

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH
​Students, teachers and administrators wore blue on Monday, October 7, 2019 for the World Day of Bullying Prevention.

Common Points of View about Bullying
Our society has many well-known expressions that characterize, describe, and portray bullying; some are accurate and true, while others are outdated and don’t reflect the realities of bullying. Here are a few of those often-repeated phrases, followed by a response to each statement and insight into the real story.  Share and discuss them with your children.

TEEN TALK ON CYBERBULLYING
A five-minute unscripted video that provides authentic insight and peer-to-peer perspective on issues related to cyberbullying.

Read why kids may not tell adults about bullying.