Members of Finley Middle School National Junior Honor Society participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Oct. 21. The group raised $520 for the American Cancer Society. 

Finley Middle School students and staff dressed in orange to send a message of support, hope and unity against bullying in commemoration of Unity Day on Oct. 24. Throughout the week students created posters of support with positive messages that bullying will not be tolerated. They also created an orange connect link, writing antibullying statements on orange strips of paper. The paper links were then connected to create one long chain representing unity against bullying. Students received bookmarks that read “Be a Champion Against Bullying” and signed a petition against bullying. Everyone responded with terrific enthusiasm, which made Unity Day 2018 a success.

The Finley Middle School Guidance Department is conducting cyberbullying workshops for all grade levels during the month of October.

Topics of discussion include cyberbullying, the pros and cons of social media, when to seek help, promoting safety and respect, self-harm and suicide prevention, how to responsibly use social media and treating people the way you want to be treated. 

The students were also encouraged to participate in Unity Day by wearing orange on Oct. 24. Unity Day is sponsored by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and encourages all to come together in hope and unity to show that we are united against bullying and united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion.

Finley Middle School Food Pantry recently received a donation of $371.20 from Rising Tide Natural Market in Glen Cove.  

The school’s food pantry was selected as Rising Tide’s September Charity of the Month, a program supported by its Bring Your Own Bag initiative. The Bring Your Own Bag Charity of the Month program allows Rising Tide to change habits and save trees, while helping local nonprofits that provide vital services to neighbors in need. The market’s customers are charged ten cents for every paper bag given out at the register – money which is then donated to the Charity of the Month. When customers bring in reusable bags, they are credited ten cents per bag, or given the choice to donate that money to the Charity of the Month, as well. 

Finley’s Food Pantry, which is open on Fridays from 3-5 p.m., was created by members of the school’s Kiwanis Builders Club, National Junior Honor Society and Student Council, as part of the school’s collaboration with international charity and educational partner WE Charity (formerly known as Free The Children). Through this effort, students are committed to making a positive impact on the local and global communities. The money raised will be used to purchase a refrigerator for the food pantry.  

Finley Middle School guidance counselors are conducting class presentations to students during the months of September and October. The presentation describes the role of school counselors and factors that contribute to student success in school and life. The guidance program is emphasizing students’ work habits, having a positive attitude, decision-making, motivation and being persistent.