Bowling Green Elementary School students learned that if they want to become good writers, they must become prolific readers. 

Such was the advice of Joe Shandrowski, author/illustrator of “Huga Tuga in the Dinosaur Adventure,” who explained that reading assists in the understanding of sentence structure, expansion of vocabulary and fueling of the imagination. He also explained that many of the books he has read assisted in his storylines and fueled his imagination on most writing projects.

“The foundation of writing is reading,” Shandrowski said. “Reading helps to make an original idea creative, interesting and effective.” 

During his theatrical presentation with bubbles, music, lights and the “treasure chest of the imagination,” Shandrowski explained how an idea comes to life on a page. He also recommended that students jot down their ideas and allow their ideas to grow through reading.

“A book can change the way you look at things, so keep reading,” he advised.

In recognition of National Autism Awareness Month, Bowling Green Elementary School students collectively participated in the creation of two autism awareness walls at each of the schools’ entrances. 

Under the direction of school psychologist Robert Mueller and speech pathologist Kimberly Mayo, the students learned about autism and its effects on others. Each student decorated a puzzle piece – the designated international autism awareness symbol – and parent volunteers decorated the walls with hearts, which they filled in with more than 800 puzzle pieces.
 
Patrice Dobies, director of special education and pupil personnel services, cited the importance of recognizing Autism Awareness Month in school. “One out of 68 students [nationally] is diagnosed with autism each year,” she said. “Everyone knows someone or loves someone with autism.” 

In honor of Earth Day, students at Bowling Green Elementary School in the East Meadow School District created a special rock garden at each of the school’s main entrances. As part of a schoolwide initiative, each class read “Only One You” by Lisa Kranz and then recreated their own colorful fish designs on rocks for use in the garden. Many students incorporated themes from the book, such as uniqueness and representing the colors of the world, into their rock designs.

Pictured are first-graders in Kim Gibbs class with their rocks.