Islanders Teach Kids the Importance of Teamwork

The New York Islanders mascot traveled from Uniondale to the on Wednesday to give a presentation on teamwork as part of the school's character education program.

Sparky the Dragon gave students in kindergarten through fourth grades a presentation on how important it is to work together on and off the ice. Stacy McCally said two students took part in a race to see who could get another student dressed in hockey equipment the fastest, while third grade teacher Annmarie Schuppe tried to put on the hockey equipment by herself. "The student team won, illustrating how it is easier to accomplish something when working together," she said.

David Hochman, an Islanders spokesman, said that as part of the team's community events tour, they also showed a video featuring Islanders players and coaches discussing the importance of teamwork and how it translates from the ice to the classroom.

"The students had a great time participating in the interactive assembly," McCally said.