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Schools

Two NY Islanders Drop by Marion Street School

Matt Moulson and Josh Bailey share stories with elementary students.

On Thursday at Marion Street School, New York Islanders players Matt Moulson and Josh Bailey spoke at an assembly as part of the team's "Islanders School Day" program.

In front of the stage in the school's gymnasium, at a table decorated with fanfare, Moulson and Bailey — dressed in their Islanders jerseys — gave accounts of personal experiences, meant to be inspirational for the children in their elementary years of development, before answering questions prepared by each class.

To their right stood second-grade teacher Anne Conway and physical education teacher Jack Small, who dictated the questions, each in an Islanders' shirt of their own. The students had asked questions such as "Outside of hockey, what is your greatest achievement?", "When you were in school, what was your favorite subject?", and others pertaining to their diets and childhood influences.

Hanging along the gym walls were pictures of hockey players the students had drawn on construction paper.

The event, which began six years ago during the NHL lockout, was the first of a compilation of education-promotion projects targeted in the communities to which the Islander organization attributes itself. Last year, the Islanders established Islanders@School, an umbrella system for the programs based on a website, according to Ann Rina, Community Relations Manager for the Islanders, who has been in charge of overseeing the continued development of its community/youth enterprises.

It was the second year the assembly was held at Marion Street School, which was one of 10 schools selected in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens after an essay contest.

Conway spoke about the impact that the Islanders have had on the school.

"Last year, [Islanders center] Frans Nielsen told a story about how he had trouble learning to read as a kid," she said. "One of my students, who also has had trouble, remembered that story this year."

At the end of the assembly, Moulson and Bailey took questions from the faculty.

As Barbara Moore, the principal, began to wrap things up, Moulson interjected that they should let a few students ask some for themselves. Six were chosen, two of which had their faces painted in orange, blue and white — the Islanders' colors.

"Probably one of the best-behaved schools I've ever been to," said Moulson of the students at Marion Street School, after taking pictures and signing memorabilia.

While the children headed back to class after the Assembly, Moulson and Bailey headed back for the morning practice with the rest of the team.

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