Since relocating to Syosset this past September, the Long Island School for the Gifted has not only settled into its new home but has also become an active and engaged member of the local community.
On Friday, March 6, fourth-grade students from LISG participated in a unique immersive language experience at Ruta Oaxaca Restaurant. The challenge for the students was simple but exciting: from the moment they left the school building until they returned, they spoke only Spanish.
The experience was carefully prepared by their Spanish teacher, Sandrine Gold, who transformed the classroom into a mock restaurant several weeks before the trip. The room was set with tablecloths with menus ready for customers, and the students role-played greeting servers, ordering food, and engaging in everyday conversations in Spanish. This immersive preparation helped build the background knowledge and confidence needed for the real-world experience.
When the students arrived at the restaurant, Carlos, the owner, greeted them and spoke with them in Spanish. The children came prepared with index cards of phrases they might need and were able to order, ask questions, and respond with growing confidence.
The students were also joined by Russell Green, president of the Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, who shared a meal with the students and spoke Spanish with them as well.
“I spent an amazing lunch with the fourth-graders from LISG,” said Green, adding that LISG has been a wonderful business and educational member, supporting local businesses and collaborating with the Chamber.
The students themselves were equally enthusiastic about the experience. Claire said, “I loved the learning experience in Spanish!” Audrey and Carol echoed the sentiment, saying, “It really helped our Spanish. It was a great experience!”
“This is exactly the kind of experiential learning that brings language to life,” said Patricia Geyer, head of school. “Our students have been preparing for this moment, and we are grateful to our local partners for helping us make learning authentic and meaningful.”
As an active member of the Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, Geyer continues to work to build partnerships with local businesses and organizations. These collaborations connect students to the broader community while giving them opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom in meaningful, real-world settings.
The school’s partnerships with local businesses extend beyond this visit. Recently, Kathy Barbalios, owner of It’s Greek to Me, visited LISG and shared her Greek heritage with the fifth-grade world language class. Students learned about Greek culture, language, and traditions directly from a local business owner. Building on that connection, LISG’s sixth-grade students will soon showcase their Greek-inspired artwork at It’s Greek to Me, bringing their classroom studies into the community.
Through partnerships with local businesses such as Oaxaca Restaurant and It’s Greek to Me, the Long Island School for the Gifted continues to strengthen its ties to the community while providing students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences that deepen cultural understanding.
Established in 1980, LISG is a private K-9 institution dedicated to meeting the unique educational needs of gifted students in a nurturing environment where they will be both intellectually challenged and comfortable socially, thereby providing these children with the opportunity to grow and develop their potential.
