Life Skills students at East Rockaway Jr/Sr High School marked the arrival of spring and celebrated the Month of the Military Child by planting dandelions in front of the school.

Coordinated by school counselor Donna Robbins and carried out with the support of Life Skills teachers, junior high buddies, and the East Rockaway grounds crew, students planted seeds and placed American flags along the front border of the building.

April is recognized nationally as the Month of the Military Child, a time dedicated to honoring the resilience and sacrifices of children in military families. The dandelion serves as the official flower of the military child and is a fitting symbol for these young people. Like the flower itself, military children bloom wherever they are planted and adapt gracefully to frequent moves, school changes, and the challenges of deployment.

The planting activity held special significance beyond its seasonal timing. Life Skills students were paired with general education buddies from the junior high, creating an opportunity for genuine peer connection. The collaboration gave Life Skills students the chance to work alongside classmates in a shared, purposeful experience, while offering their general education peers the opportunity to step into leadership roles, practicing empathy, patience and clear communication.

It was a joyful morning for everyone involved, and the school hopes to build on the tradition, expanding the garden with additional plants and flowers to brighten the front of the building.