By Janvi Acharya and Tina Torre
P.S. I Love You Day is a day dedicated to mental health awareness, promoting kindness and ending bullying. It is celebrated annually on the second Friday of every February. Schools and advocates across the country show support by sporting purple to show unity and partaking in activities, like spreading positive messages, in order to foster a welcoming environment.
The day was initially created by sisters Brooke and Jamie DiPalma in 2010, who lost their father due to suicide. The co-founders aim to honor their father’s legacy and remind people that they are not alone, they are important and they matter.
Most Gladiators were excited about this year’s activities and they eagerly awaited February 10. Many students think that it is a notable day that deserves to be recognized because of its positive influence on mental health.
“In my opinion, P.S. I Love You day is a good reminder to let the important people in your life know how important they are to you. It's a reminder to not be afraid to ask people how they are feeling and also to not be afraid to talk about how you are feeling,” sophomore Nicole Cefaloni said.
Source by Mary Kay Mannle
This year’s P.S. I Love You Day's theme was “Love All Your Chapters.” It was about embracing all aspects of life, both the joyous, happy moments and the difficult, challenging times.
The NHP student council planned to do new activities for P.S. I Love You Day that had not been done before at NHP. Student council advisers Ms. Vosswinkel-Blum and Ms. Psaros supervised these projects.
Student council publicity coordinator Marco Valle spoke about the process before the day.
“We have students volunteering to make posters for P.S. I Love You day. These posters will help promote our message that you and your mental health matter,” sophomore Valle said.
Source by Mary Kay Mannle
On the morning of P.S. I Love You day, the faculty greeted students walking in by cheering and holding purple signs that contained positive messages.
Various members of NHP clubs (like National Junior Honor Society and Key Club), faculty members and students painted messages on posters to promote mental health awareness. Posters were also used to decorate the school building.
Each department at NHP contributed to the scavenger hunt by filling the school with P.S. I Love You related decor in their display cases or respective hallways.
Source by Mary Kay Mannle
The social studies department showed “Famous Failures” in which they highlighted prominent individuals who endured setbacks throughout their journey toward success.
In most social studies classes, students took part in a Google Form scavenger hunt that implored them to view the informational materials decorated around the school. At the end of the hunt, participating students received a purple Ring Pop.
Source by Mary Kay Mannle
Students and staff of each respective honor society helped to decorate the display cases after school.
The English department took part by encouraging students to write about how they plan to improve and embrace their next chapter in life. The English display case contained pages from books, with each page blacked out except for one letter. The exposed letters formed the word "cherished" when unscrambled.
Using mathematical equations, the math department spelt out the word “love” on classroom doors, with four graphs each in the shape of a letter. For example, the graph of a circle formed the letter “o.”
The science department created a display consisting of diagrams of brains, demonstrating the science and hormones behind the emotion of love.
Source by Mary Kay Mannle
Many creative and artistic approaches were taken by each department in order to celebrate P.S. I Love You.
Titles of several love songs were posted on a bulletin board outside the chorus room to represent the music department.
The world language department decorated their hallway using phrases in other languages that meant “I love you.”
The business department had students write out their goals and ambitions for the future on hearts posted in the hallway.
Pupil personnel services (the guidance department) decorated outside the main office by posting constructive ways for students to cope with hardship.
Source by Mary Kay Mannle
The art department had a display of Frida Kahlo, in which they hung autobiographical infographics about her experiences and artwork. They focused on her contribution to women and the Mexican community.
Self-help books on how to experience happiness were outside the nurse’s office in their display case. Famous quotes were hung up outside the library.
The performance groups created a multitude of posters and helped fill the hallways with purple, using decorations like streamers across the school to show support for the day.
Source by Mary Kay Mannle
Almost every hallway at New Hyde Park Memorial High School is plastered with decorations to celebrate the sentiments of P.S. I Love You.