Meadow Elementary show its school spirit

Schools opened their doors this week for thousands of children across Long Island as the 2017-18 school year began. Baldwin Schools kicked-off their first day with a new campaign, “I Love Baldwin Public Schools” – a spinoff of the national campaign “I Love Public Education” that was introduced this summer by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).

The School District launched the campaign to boost Baldwin Pride and support Public Education across the nation, and Baldwin Elementary Schools kicked off the campaign with a Pep Rally.

Hundreds of eager youngsters clapped their hands together and stomped their feet in a show of support and excitement for the presenting classes. The event allowed students to share their goals for the new academic year. Educators and students from kindergarten to 5th grade assembled in the gymnasium to represent their class. 

“Meadow does this every year,” said Dr. Shari L. Camhi, Superintendent of Baldwin Schools. “Every school has [its] own version of their Pep Rally. They're different from school to school because all of our elementary schools have their own identity.

The district’s goal is to support a nationwide effort to highlight the success of the public schools across the country and to increase pride in Baldwin Schools throughout the community. 

“This ‘Love Baldwin Public Schools’ is a new campaign,” said Camhi. “We want everybody in Baldwin to feel proud of their public schools, even if they don’t send their kid to the public schools.”

The Baldwin School District is a true testament of a successful public-school system in New York—of what a vibrant and proud community, that provides its students with the best that public education has to offer, looks like in this country. 

 “This school year we want the Baldwin community to declare its pride in our public-school system,” said Camhi. “We want to revel in the accomplishments of our students. We hope this campaign will emphasize the award-winning and nationally-recognized educational programs that Baldwin has to offer as well as highlight the work being done by our students, teachers and alumni.”

 For the 2017-18 academic year, banners will be fixed at each of the 8 school buildings; apparel will allow students to show their pride, and there will be an overall emphasis on Baldwin Pride.  

Social media will also play a role. When students, parents or educators are sharing stories district-wide, they are asked to use hashtags— #WhatsBRUINinBaldwin and #LovePublicEducation. 

“Public Education is a quintessential part of every community, and the Baldwin School District gives residents a system to be proud of,” added Dr. Camhi. “We encourage the entire community to show their pride for Baldwin and rally around this new campaign to show Long Island, New York State and the Country the importance of a public-school education and how Baldwin is at the forefront of this movement.”