Lou Del Bianco Performs for Waverly Students

Over the course of his 30+ year career as a singer, actor and storyteller, Lou Del Bianco has spread his message of inclusion and kindness to countless groups of youngsters. 

This week, Waverly students had an opportunity to hear from the five-time Parent’s Choice award winner, as Del Bianco visited the Eastchester school to offer his insight on how children and adults alike can “Make a Good Choice” to be better friends and community members. 

Del Bianco’s 45-minute program featured personal anecdotes and catchy tunes that highlighted many of the themes that Waverly students learn about every day, including the importance of tolerance, cooperation, empathy and more, all qualities that align with the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) work being done in the district’s schools. 

Waverly Principal Caitlin Mondelli noted that Del Bianco is no stranger to speaking with Eastchester’s students, as his presentations have long been a staple for the district’s youngest learners. 

“The relationship has been going for many years, even before I joined the district,” said Mondelli. “We work with the PTA’s Cultural Arts Committee and we plan for assembly shows throughout the year that work in tandem with our curriculum.

“It’s so important; any time there’s an opportunity to teach about good character and just being a good person all around,” added Mondelli. “So, if you’re hearing these messages from people in the community, from guest speakers, that just reinforces what teachers and staff inside of the school are teaching every day.

“Ultimately, this brings to life how we can be kind, how we can make good decisions for ourselves every day,” she added. 

Waverly kindergarten students heard from Del Bianco on Jan. 9, while first graders took in the program on Friday. Later this month, students will hear from Assistant to the Superintendent for K-12 Services, Dr. William Meyer, on the topics of self-advocacy and personal responsibility. 

Waverly Assistant Principal Dana Damiano noted that although the assemblies are invaluable, the school’s educators understand the importance of revisiting the ideas and themes in other ways, in order to bolster the message of the day.

“At these assemblies, we have culminating activities that go into our bulletin boards throughout our Waverly community, so we always remember what the assemblies were about,” said Damiano. “We want them to use these ideas in all aspects of the day; not only in class, but during recess, at lunch and at home as well.”

“We’re just so thankful for the PTA,” added Mondelli. “They are so integral in our kids’ lives, and we are very lucky because we have a strong partnership with them.”