Pulaski Street Intermediate School students had a visit today from the New York Islanders mascot Sparky and representatives of the hockey team for a “Healthy You” assembly.
On the agenda: learning about the importance of making smart decisions, eating healthy, staying active and treating each other with compassion.
Also on the agenda: laughs and fun as the kids enjoyed games and activities with Sparky.
The assembly was one of the events this week leading up to “PS. I Love You Day,” which takes place on the second Friday in February. This year, the date falls on Valentine’s Day.
“P.S. I Love You Day” was started in 2010 by a West Islip middle school student who lost her father to suicide. On the morning of the day he took his life, Brooke DiPalma’s father’s last words to his daughter, when he dropped her off at school were, “I love you.” Just a month earlier, the community had lost a West Islip High School senior to death by suicide.
Several months after the two tragedies, Brooke launched “P.S. I Love You Day” to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
On “P.S. I Love You Day” people are asked to wear purple to stand up against bullying, help end depression, and ultimately prevent suicide.
“We hope that on this day you walk around your community, school, or work office and see a sea of purple. We hope that you hear nothing but positive messages that make you feel special, loved, and remind you, that you are never alone,” the “P.S. I Love You Day” website says.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.
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