After a several-year hiatus, the highly anticipated Dancing with the Teachers fundraiser returned on March 13 at Kennedy High School, with eight teachers competing for the coveted mirror ball trophy – and bragging rights.

Mrs. McManus, Mr. Wrobel, Mr. Gattus, Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Valenti, Mr. Alford, Mr. Velasquez and Ms. Shapiro worked with teachers from local dance studio JAM Dance & Fitness in Bellmore for weeks leading up to the competition, which raised more than $6,000 for Special Olympics New York. 

Principal Gerard Owenburg, business teacher Mrs. Rojas, guidance counselor Mr. Sansanelli and a senior/raffle winner chosen on the night of the event served as judges, commenting on various criteria such as costumes, dance style, facial expressions and more. 

At the end of the evening, Mr. Velasquez, a social studies teacher, was crowned the winner.

Teachers Mr. Dell'Olio and Mr. Lella served as the evening’s emcees, welcoming and interviewing competitors, as well as injecting humor into the event.

Ahead of the event, science teacher Mrs. Hughes, and parents/hairdressers Brenda Gallo of Creative Impressions Salon in East Meadow and Cathy White of Willows Cove Salon in Mineola volunteered their time to provide makeup and hair styling services for the teachers. Additionally, Esquire Tuxedos of Merrick provided complimentary tuxedo rentals. The school’s PTA also served as an event sponsor. 

Organized by the school’s Student Government Association, which is led by President Matt Rowe and Vice President Sarah Lieberman, the weeks-long process was assisted by the Special Projects Committee, including Kayla Indich, Paige Selzter, Julie Lehrfeld, Jolie Weiss, Shaylene Tzadok, Gabby Vayman and Rachael Van Daly.  Addison Soffer served as the host of various Minute-To-Win-It games that incorporated student audience members. The Student Government is led by faculty advisor Brad Seidman.

“Each year we task them [the Student Government Association] with helping us create meaningful high school memories for the students and they delivered,” noted Owenburg. “They did a fantastic job, especially with keeping the focus on the Special Olympics charity, tying it to all their special events this year. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Date Added: 3/17/2025

Cari Einbinder, a junior in the Leadership program at Kennedy High School, started a Buy a Slice, Donate a Slice initiative at a local pizzeria.  

“Through my Leadership II class,I had the opportunity to engage in a civic action project in which I advocated for a cause and issue that was important to me,” she explained.  

Einbinder created Bellmore-Merrick’s Mission for a Meal, an initiative to combat food insecurity by offering customers at Piccolo Ristorante in Bellmore “a simple way to give back.” “You can visit the restaurant and add a slice of pizza (or more) to your order,” Einbinder explained.  

Every two weeks, the donated slices will be offered via vouchers to local families through the district’s food pantry, Community Cupboard.  

The goal is for Buy a Slice, Donate a Slice to be an ongoing effort, and for Einbinder to pass the program on to a junior in next year’s Leadership program. 

Date Added: 3/3/2025

After a softball injury sidelined Kennedy junior Morgan Bronfeld last summer, she began petitioning for mandatory ACL education and prevention as part of the New York State physical education curriculum.

As part of her Leadership II civic project, Bronfeld began contacting NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office, asking that this type of training be included in the curriculum.

“I think it would be beneficial as it can help prevent injuries from happening, as well as spread information on how they occur and their prevalence,” explained Bronfeld, who required surgery and physical therapy for her torn ACL and meniscus.

She also worked closely with the Stars Rehabilitation Department of Northwell Health to bring a physical therapist in on Feb. 13-14 to address each physical education class at Kennedy.

The program covered common injuries such as shin splints, muscle and tendon strains, ligament sprains, and ACL issues.

John Carl, a physical therapist at STARS Rehabilitation discussed the four pillars of health: training, recovery, nutrition and mental health.

“Recovery doesn’t always mean rest,” Carl told the students. “It means getting active even when you’re sore. Or doing skill work or core work on your recovery day.”

He emphasized how nutrition also plays a large role for those in training.

“How well you fuel yourself is how well you can perform the day of competition,” he added. “Protein, vitamins and minerals, water and electrolytes are included in this.”

Carl also stressed how mental health is importance for maintaining drive and focus before having students perform various exercises properly and having them demonstrate core techniques and stretches.

While Bronfeld has not heard back from the governor’s office yet, she said she plans to continuing writing letters, emails and getting in contact with legislators.

School and Community Leadership is a three-year program offered at the high schools that aims to promote community service and civic action and foster leadership skills among students.

Click here to view the Kennedy Student Advocates for Injury Prevention Education in Phys Ed Classes 2025 slideshow.

Date Added: 2/14/2025