Elementary and middle school students celebrated their academic achievements during moving up ceremonies, which were held in the days leading up to the high school graduation.

A trend-setting class graduated from Edmund W. Miles Middle School, and they did so at the place where they will spend the next three years of their educational journey. During the ninth-grade awards ceremony at the high school on June 22, Principal Edward Plaia reviewed all the “firsts” that the class experienced. They were the first ninth graders in the district to take Advanced Placement courses and to build Lego robots. The 180 members of the class received their promotion certificates, and numerous awards were handed out.

Middle school now awaits the sixth-graders who graduated from Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School on June 22. Principal Robyn Santiago said that while they have great achievements to celebrate, they should strive to do even better next year. She reminded the youngsters that they don’t always have to follow the crowd and should always make good choices, even when no one is looking.

The 238 third-graders at Northwest Elementary School completed another step in their educational journeys when they were recognized for their achievements at the moving-up ceremony on June 21. Following a video in which students shared their memories of Northwest, teachers from each class announced their graduates and handed out completion certificates. Principal Kathleen Hyland reminded the students that “what’s worth learning is worth working for.”

Kindergartners completed one of their first major milestones when they graduated from Northeast Elementary School on June 20. The youngsters performed songs for their family members and Principal Dr. Pauline Collins presented perfect attendance awards. The students will comprise Amityville Memorial High School’s Class of 2029.

Superintendent Dr. Mary T. Kelly wished the students luck as they head to their next schools. She encouraged them to continue reading over the summer and said the public library has a lot of good books available.

Edmund W. Miles Middle School Ninth-Grade Moving Up

Miles Middle School Ninth-Grade Moving Up

Northwest Third-Grade Moving Up

Northeast Kindergarten Moving Up

Three educators from Edmund W. Miles Middle School in the Amityville Union Free School District were honored at Teacher Appreciation Awards Night hosted by Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory.

The honorees were ninth-grade guidance counselor Kerry Kearney, social studies chairwoman and ninth-grade teacher Jaclyn O’Hagan and eighth-grade special education teacher Renee Silone. They were recognized for working above and beyond what is required, collaborating with colleagues to improve student achievement, inspiring students to become lifelong learners and for making a positive impact on education.

“These educators have extraordinary relationships with our students, and our students really look up to them,” said Principal Edward Plaia. “Their expectations are high, they make no excuses and are always willing to learn and grow themselves. They epitomize excellence.”