CHICOPEE, Mass. (WGGB)- Students at Stefanik Elementary School in Chicopee learned some important lessons in bike safety on Monday, during the school’s ”Bike Rodeo”.  Representatives from “Western Massachuestts Safe Kids” along with Chicopee Police and fire were on hand.

Students were fitted for helmets, practiced on an obstacle course and were taught hand signals. Representatives from “Western Massachusetts Safe Kids” along with Chicopee Police and fire were at the school teaching the kids these important tips.

Studies show that helmets reduce the risk of head injury from bike accidents by nearly 90 percent. More than 40 helmets were given out to students.

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WGGB) – Stephanie Zolotor is a 5th grade Secular Studies teacher at L.Y.A. School in Longmeadow. She has received several awards including the Excellence in Jewish Education Award for Western Mass.

The awards are designed to recognized, honor and support outstanding classroom Jewish educators worthy of national recognition. The awards are presented to professionals in communities across North America. Stephanie has been teaching for over 15 years. She holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from The University of Massachusetts and a Master’s Degree from Smith College.

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB)- Last week students at Memorial Elementary School in West Springfield held a “Flip-Flop Day” to raise money for children suffering from foot problems. The students came up with the idea. Normally flip-flops are not allowed at the school. However for a small donataion the kids were able to wear their flip-flops. Kids grades one through five took part and raised over one hundred and fifty dollars. This fundraiser came on the heels of a school wide fundraiser for The Parish Cupboard.

SPRINGFIELD,Mass. (WGGB)- Springfield School Volunteers had their awards recognition luncheon last week at Western New England University. Donald Dorn received the Phyllis Sullivan “Unsung Hero” award. The award is given to a volunteer who gives freely of their time and has made a significant contribution during the school year. Dorn volunteers at the Samuel Bowels School.

The “Anne Dill” award which recognizes a school employee who goes out of their way to make a volunteers experience a special one was given to Sharon Dasilva. Sharon is a fifth grade English language arts teacher at Deberry Elementary School.

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB) An elementary school student from Palmer raised nine-hundred fifty dollars for the Holyoke Police Department. The money is going towards bullet proof vest for “Ryker” a Germshepard and member of the cities K9 unit. Thanks to Allison Ryker will be a little safer while he is on duty.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB)- Students at Academy Hill School in Springfield took part in the “Enrichment Cluster Program.” The program allows kindergarten through 8th grade students to become specialists in a field of their choice.

The kids spent three days gathering information on their topic through research, field trips and guest speakers. Some of the topics included Shakespeare’s World, Crafts, Sports and Rocket Science.

The program ended with presentations by all the students.

The schools were chosen out of over one thousand across the nation for their healthy habits. In fact, only six percent of those schools achieved “”The Healthier U.S.” status.

This challenge is a key component of First Lady Michele Obama’s “Lets Move” initiative to end childhood obesity. Both schools have added several programs including rowing and tennis and hope to expand next year. Both schools received five hundred dollars for their achievements. 

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) – A group of students from across western Massachusetts meet once a month to educate themselves and others about HIV and AIDS. These kids are members of the “Aids Know More Project”.

The students meet at The AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts in Springfield. Their mission is to empower and educate communities regarding HIV and AIDS. They discuss how people are affected by the virus, prevention strategies, new treatments, current events and they address the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS.

The students are always look for new members. To find out more you can find them on Facebook by searching “AIDS Know More Project”

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) – Students at the Brookings Elementary School displayed ceiling tiles covered in their art work at the second annual Brookings Celebration of the Arts. The kids wanted to use the tiles to make other kids smile so they donated the tiles to Baystate.

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) – A group of 9th graders at The Middle School in West Springfield will be doing laps around the school track. They’ll be raising money in the fight against childhood cancer.

The event honors Laura Sypek, who lost her battle with cancer when she was in the 6th grade. Her favorite food was tomato soup so students will be donating all proceeds to an organization called “Soupy for Loopy”…. Laura’s nickname.

Last year the event raised over one thousand dollars and this year the students hope to make even more. The event is Thursday, June 13th during school hours. Donations can be made at Soupyforloopy.org

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WGGB) – Students and staff at The Williams Middle School in Longmeadow held a car wash and a bake sale for the victims of the Boston Bombings. They raised over thirteen hundred dollars. Students wore Boston attire. The money raised was donated to The One Fund Boston and The Ryan McMahon fund.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) – A group of fifth graders from Mountain View Elementary School in East Longmeadow are making a difference! After seeing all the destruction from the Oklahoma Tornado the kids wanted to help the victims. So they decided to raise money and collect clothes to donate to The Red Cross. The girls organized everything themselves from getting the word out to their classmates – to labeling the envelopes for the money collection and bringing in boxes to collect the clothes.

The drive end today, Friday and so far the girls have collected 12 bags of clothes.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) A group of local students were honored Wednesday night at the Ludlow Country Club during the Boys and Girls Club “Youth of the Year” Dinner.

The “Youth of the Year” Program is a way Boys and Girls Clubs all over the Country Honor Members who are caring, responsible, and productive. Honorees have shown the ability to overcome personal obstacles to achieve success and have been role for other club members. The students honored say the Boys & Girls Club has a been a major influence in their lives.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) – It’s a big weekend for a group of Springfield students. 5th graders from 7 Springfield school will take part in the 8th annual “Over the Top” Ballroom Dance Competition. It’s this Saturday, June, 1st at 4 pm at Symphony Hall.

Dancers will perform the Waltz, Fox trot, Cha-Cha, Swing and Tango. You can get your tickets at the door for 10 dollars.

Holyoke, Mass. (WGGB) – Gateway City Arts in Holyoke has a program that allows kids from the Holyoke Boys and Girls to follow a career path in preservation and restoration of art.

Every week a handful of students work on projects that range from basic house painting to sculpting decorative elements.

During their workshop the history, techniques, materials and tools are discussed.

Students also have free time to explore their own ideas and projects.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) – 7th and 8th grade students took part in a ten week flight program at Barnes Airport. They learned about the history of aviation and the importance of science and math in pursuing a career in aviation.

After passing tests, the students actually flew over their school in a Piper Cub.

Students on the ground spelled “hi” to their junior pilots above.

Students say the program helped them learn what it takes to fly and the work needed to pursue a career in aviation.

AGAWAM, Mass. (WGGB) – Each year hundreds take part in a special Memorial Day Ceremony at the Massachusetts Veteran’s Cemetery in Agawam. This year a few dozen students from the two schools helped organizers prepare. They spent several hours placing flags in front of every one of the cemetery’s eight thousand graves.

This year’s Memorial Day Ceremony begins at 1 p.m Monday at the Massachusetts Veteran’s cemetery on Main Street in Agawam.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGG) A Group of 6th graders from Donahue Elementary School in Holyoke wanted to do something to help the victims of The Boston Marathon bombing. So the kids held a bake sale and a car wash to raise money for the One Fund Boston. The kids raised nearly 600 dollars. The staff, teachers, students and Donahue  School Community all came together to make the event a success.