Hicksville Elementary Celebrates 2026 Olympics

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Students at Burns Avenue Elementary School in Hicksville, New York held a schoolwide Olympic opening ceremony on February 5th to celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympics. The event featured students proudly raising flags they created, a procession with the American flag and school banner, and the passing of a handmade Olympic torch. Throughout the morning, students learned about the meaning of Olympic traditions like the lighting of the torch and the importance of the games to different countries and cultures.

Why it matters

The Olympic opening ceremony is a time-honored tradition that brings the world together through sport and cultural exchange. By holding their own mini-Olympics, the students at Burns Avenue Elementary are getting an early introduction to the global significance of the games and the values they represent.

The details

The Olympic-themed event at Burns Avenue Elementary included students parading with flags they had created in class, representing countries from around the world. The student council led the procession carrying the American flag, followed by the school banner. A handmade Olympic torch was then passed along to the presentation podium, where students learned about the meaning and importance of lighting the torch as part of the opening ceremony.

• The opening ceremony took place on February 5, 2026.
• The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place later that year.

What’s next

The school plans to continue its Olympic-themed activities and lessons throughout the 2026 Winter Games, including watching the official opening ceremony and following the competition.