Valley Stream District 24 schools celebrate Hanukkah-themed activities

District 24 schools honored the celebration of Hanukkah, otherwise called the Festival of Lights, earlier this month. Each school created activities for students designed to impart the meaning and importance of the holiday to those of the Jewish faith. Hanukkah is an eight-day long celebration, beginning this year on the evening of Sunday, Nov. 28, and ending at sundown on the evening of Monday, Dec. 6.

Each school took its unique approach to the celebration. One of the ways William L. Buck Elementary School celebrated Hanukkah was by lighting their digital menorah on the class TV screen each day. The students also created sun catcher dreidels and hung them up on their classroom windows to witness their illuminating creations catch the sunlight.

The Brooklyn Avenue Elementary School read “Arielle and the Hanukkah Surprise” by Devra Newberger Speregen. Students were able to make their own dreidels and receive Hanukkah gelt. Gelt refers to money that is given as a present during Hanukkah. Often times sweet chocolate covered in a golden tin to resemble the coin is given to children in the celebration.

The Robert W. Carbonaro students learned how to draw their own menorah and colored in a candle each day to light it. Students also read “The Magic Dreidels” by Eric A. Kimmel and created their own paper magic dreidels.

Superintendent of Dr. Don Sturz Valley Stream 24 District said in a statement, “...Hanukkah holds special significance to our Jewish neighbors and friends.”