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VOL. 60 NO. 49
DECEMBER 4 - 10, 2025
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At OHS, 39 years of holiday giving By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com
Courtesy Donna Kraus
Oceanside High School students, staff and community members assembled and delivered Thanksgiving baskets at the 39th annual Turkey Shoot on Nov. 24 and 25.
Oceanside High School’s 39th annual Turkey Shoot — a district-wide food drive that assembles and delivers Thanksgiving baskets to families in need — once again mobilized students, staff and community members last week in a sweeping display of generosity. What began as a small, student-led idea has grown into one of Oceanside School District’s most defining traditions. Lisa Communiello, the district’s student projects coordinator, spearheaded the event, alongside the CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Oceanside schools launch first ‘Let Grow’ campaign By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com
The Oceanside School District began a month-long, districtwide “Let Grow” campaign on Dec. 1, a K-through-12 initiative that rallies educators and families around a goal that is simple but sweeping: helping children become more confident and resilient by encouraging them to do more for themselves at home and in school. The campaign is based on the work of Let Grow, a national nonprofit based in New York City that makes the case that children are stronger and more capable than contemporary cul-
ture assumes. The organization promotes independent play, real-life problem-solving and activities that help kids deal with stress and reduce anxiety. Diane Provvido — the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and research and the chair of Parent University, the Oceanside parent-educator committee behind the initiative — said the message of Let Grow resonated deeply in Oceanside. Parent University’s community discussion last year on the book “The Anxious Generation,” by Jonathan Haidt, which explores how smartphones and social media under mine children’s well-
being, sparked communitywide motivation to help young people. “It was one of those moments where parents, teachers, administrators — all of us — recognized we’ve got to figure this out,” Provvido said. “At the end of the day, we’re recognizing that independence is not just a skill that happens. We have to cultivate it.” Every two years, the district surveys parents on what support they need most. This cycle, Provvido said, families overwhelmingly asked for help managing social media, anxiety and the pressures of modern childhood.
“In having the Let Grow campaign, it is going to help out kids become more confident, more capable,” Provvido added. “Honestly, being independent is also a protective factor against anxiety.” Each school in the district tailored its Let Grow activities to its students. Elementary schools created “independence bingo” boards and morning-
announcement challenges, and PTA groups are holding sessions to explain the campaign to families. Tasks for younger children range from making breakfast for their family to doing their own laundry. At the middle school, the focus shifts to adolescent selfadvocacy. “They’re doing workshops on what advocacy looks CONTINUED ON PAGE 9