For second graders in Cheryl Brown’s class at Commack Road, the Authors Tea on May 31 served as a special celebration for the students to showcase a year’s worth of writing and demonstrate their growth as writers. Pieces included biographies, personal narratives, how-to books, poetry, animal reports and writing connected to social emotional learning, which were read to visiting parents and administrators including Superintendent Ellen Semel and Principal James Cameron.

“I began each lesson with a mini lesson and then set the children free to express themselves,” said Brown. “As all the attendees saw, they worked very hard.”