Students Embrace 'P.S. I Love You Day' To Stop Bullying, Suicide

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — The focus was on kindness last week at Hampton Bays Middle School, when students embraced "P.S. I Love You Day."

"P.S. I Love You Day" began in 2010, when West Islip native Brooke DiPalma turned the tragic death of her father into a way to help others. After her father took his own life when she was 14 years old, DiPalma decided she wanted to start a club in order to combat bullying and spread awareness about suicide prevention.

Last week in Hampton Bays, students celebrated the 10th anniversary of "P.S. I Love You Day", which aims to raise awareness and also promote kindness, the district said.

Students shared inspirational messages with their peers by leaving notes on their lockers, Skyped with "P.S. I Love You Day" founder DiPalma and signed “love beach balls” that will be hung in the school’s lunchroom, district officials said.

They also decorated an “I Am” wall by penning notes on purple hearts and green leaves about challenge they've had to overcome. In addition, they raised money for Joe’s Project, a Family Service League program that supports those surviving loss after suicide by selling "love" buttons and beads, district officials said. To culminate the week, students wore purple to school on Friday and had fun with a love-themed photo booth, the district added.