Hard work and perseverance are the keys to success, speakers told third graders at Northwest Elementary School’s moving up ceremony on June 24. The students, who comprise Amityville Memorial High School’s Class of 2028, celebrated their achievements over the past three years as they grew as readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, artists, musicians and thinkers.

Principal Kathleen Hyland said that this group of students holds a special place in heart as they entered Northwest as first graders the same year she came to the school. She explained that it is has been a pleasure watching them grow through so many “wonderful educational experiences.”

Ms. Hyland reminded students that mistakes are part of the learning process and should never deter them from trying to achieve their goals.

“You can accomplish anything if you’re willing to work for it,” she said.

Superintendent Dr. Mary T. Kelly not only emphasized the value of hard work, but also spoke about the importance of good character. She reminded students to always be courteous, kind, respectful and responsible.

While the summer vacation is well deserved after a prosperous school year, Dr. Kelly encouraged students to keep their minds sharp by going to the local library and checking out books. 

The ceremony included musical selections by the students including “Count on Me” and “Roar,” led by music teacher Roxanne Tannenbaum. Dr. Kelly and Ms. Hyland both recognized Ms. Tannenbaum, who is retiring, for her years of dedication to the students. 

Class by class, the 219 third graders were called up to the stage to receive their moving up certificates, where they exchanged handshakes, high-fives and hugs with Ms. Hyland, Assistant Principal Sonia Rodrigo and their teachers.

“Peep peep peep” could be heard throughout the second grade hallway for about a week in June after baby chicks arrived in several classrooms at Northwest Elementary School. It was part of an annual hands-on science lesson about animal life cycles. 

The eggs and incubators were supplied by Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Suffolk County Farm. During the 21-day incubation period, students made predictions about how many eggs would hatch and also candled the eggs by holding up a special light to see the development taking place in side.

After the chicks were born — some during the school day to the delight of students — they were moved to large plastic bins lined with bedding. Children took care of the young animals by ensuring that there was always a supply of food and water. They even learned how to delicately hold the chicks, and also gave them names. 

Second grade teacher Annette Fox said that literacy activities were included in the project as students practiced their sequence structure in writing about the life cycles and used descriptive language from their observations. 

Poetry is in season at Northwest Elementary School. Throughout April, which is National Poetry Month, second graders wrote their own poems before sharing their original works in early May.

As a Mother’s Day treat, students in Nancy Davi-Ortiz’s class welcomed in parents for a poetry reading on May 9. Children wrote poems about their mothers, which they shared aloud when their special guests arrived. 

The Adams Family Poetry Café returned on May 10. The annual event in Franca Adams’ classroom highlights the hard work of her young poets as well as the confidence they have gained as writers throughout the school year. Students wrote dozens of poems and each selected his or her favorite piece to share. Parents were encouraged to snap, instead of clap, after each reader just like at a real poetry slam. 

Ms. Adams sent their pieces off to the Student Treasures Publishing Company to be turned into a book, which will be used in her classroom as a mentor text. Her future students will be able to use the book to see examples of good poetry.

“The students have grown so much as writers,” she said. “They’ve done an amazing job and now they actually are published authors.”