Polk Street School’s second graders transformed into young engineers and inventive problem-solvers during the “Game On” STEAM program, presented by the Long Island Children’s Museum. This engaging in-school field trip introduced students to the fundamentals of video and arcade games, along with the basics of game design and development.

Inspired by Caine’s Arcade, the famous cardboard arcade built by Caine Monroy when he was 9 years old, the students were challenged to engineer their own arcade games using only a limited set of materials: cardboard trays, straws, paper and plastic cups, marbles, tape and LED lights. With these constraints, they tapped into their critical thinking and creative design skills to build functioning games from scratch. They tested their designs and troubleshooted to ensure the game played smoothly.

Date Added: 5/12/2025

John Street School fourth graders learned about Native American life through the cultural arts program Journeys into American Indian Territory, on May 6.

The students explored an interactive museum set-up of artifacts from multiple tribes in the Eastern Woodlands region, including the Iroquois, Cherokee, Lenape and Ojibwe. Among the items on display were clothing, shoes, baskets, artwork, instruments, lacrosse sticks and cord grinders.

Along with viewing the museum artifacts, the students participated in a government workshop. This experiential lesson focused on a typical day in a Native village and how their government was based on The Great Law of Peace. The fourth graders also played traditional games, completed a clay pot project and listened to Native stories.

The fourth graders learn about Native Americans in their history curriculum.

Date Added: 5/9/2025

To help students explore a range of professional opportunities for their future, Washington Street School hosted a Career Day for fifth and sixth graders on May 2. This annual event is presented by the school’s PTA.

Students selected two professions that interested them and participated in corresponding sessions to gain deeper insight into each career. Among the careers featured included an author, aviation maintenance technician, environmental scientist, martial arts instructor, police officer, nurse and technology consultant. All visiting professionals are family members of a Washington Street student.

Date Added: 5/6/2025