Fifth Grade Bluebirds fly the nest in special Moving Up Ceremony
Fifth Grade Bluebirds fly the nest in special Moving Up Ceremony
![Group on stage receiving certificates]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751311620/blindbrookorg/zlagnovraqgvislordrl/IMG_8160.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751311620/blindbrookorg/zlagnovraqgvislordrl/IMG_8160.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751311620/blindbrookorg/zlagnovraqgvislordrl/IMG_8160.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751311620/blindbrookorg/zlagnovraqgvislordrl/IMG_8160.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751311620/blindbrookorg/zlagnovraqgvislordrl/IMG_8160.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1751311620/blindbrookorg/zlagnovraqgvislordrl/IMG_8160.jpg","width":2200}])
They processed into the auditorium at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center to Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration,” as parents, friends and special guests clapped along.
Music, and celebrating, would play an important role in the event, which included the class singing the original song “A Moving Up Song,” written by music teacher Greg DiMiceli.
In his remarks to the class, Superintendent Colin Byrne remarked about how much music meant to him when he was younger.
“Some of my most meaningful moments of my life are connected to a soundtrack,” he said.
While he was in fifth grade, in 1978, Dr. Byrne explained how different types of music were becoming popular—new wave and hip hop, but there was one song he remembers in particular: “With a Little Luck,” by Paul McCartney’s band “Wings.”
He thought there was much that listeners could learn from the song, including no matter your hardships, you always have a chance to be successful.
“As you move into middle school its important you bring an optimistic attitude with you,” Dr. Byrne told the honorees. “There will be challenges for you throughout your time at school and beyond that. The power of positivity will help you navigate these challenges and find success.”
Principal Tracy Taylor recalled how many of them came together as kindergartners and others joined later.
“No matter when your journey began, you became part of something special, you became a Bluebird,” she said.
“And Bluebirds we are so proud of you, proud of who you are. We’ve watched you grow right before our eyes.”
This ceremony is a celebration of the people the students have become, especially considering they arrived in kindergarten when the COVID pandemic hit and closed schools down in March 2020, Ms. Taylor said.
“We saw from you that everything was going to be OK, and you know what? You preserved and then you came back to school.”
And school continued, with field trips, the circus and the Fifth Grade Night of Music.
“You reconnected, you laughed, you learned and made those wonderful traditional BMPRSS memories together,” Ms. Taylor said.
“Your flight may feel smooth at times, maybe a little bumpy and you may crash land at some point. But no matter what you get up and you begin again,” she encouraged. “We believe in you, we are proud of you, but you need to believe in yourself and be proud of yourself.”
One such individual who got up and continued despite health challenges, was former BMPRSS student and teacher Carrie Sarkozi.
“This award is given in memory of my sister, Carrie Sarkozi,” her brother Paul Sarkozi told students, before explaining the physical and mental challenges his sister endured.
“Carrie was different, she knew what she wanted to do with her life,” he said, adding she became a student teacher at BMPRSS.
“Her love for others, her desire to help, her heart was as strong as you’ll ever find,” Mr. Sarkozi said. “The Carrie Sarkozi Award is given each year to a student who shows great effort and perseverance. A student whose positive attitude allows him or her to succeed. A student who goes the extra mile, always with a smile.”
This year’s winner was Natalie P.
As students came up to be given their certificates, they were met with cheers from those in the audience.
Blind Brook Middle School Principal Seth Horowitz assured students that it is ok to be nervous about the next school year, but rather he hopes they are more excited about what’s to come.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you as the Blind Brook Middle School Class of 2028,” he said, as the audience erupted into more cheers.
- BMPRSS
- District
¡Hola! Spanish comes to BMPRSS
This year, Foreign Language in Elementary Schools (FLES) is back at the Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School, and both teacher Jasminne Paulino and students are exclaiming “¡Olé!”
Each day, Ms. Paulino steps into the classrooms of third, fourth and fifth graders where she spends 20 minutes introducing students to the Spanish language. She brings with her a rolling basket of resources that includes everything from message boards with images pertaining to vocabulary students will be learning, a speaker for them to listen to authentic Latin music and worksheets to help them write in a new language. Occasionally, she surprises the students with some playful puppets that she uses to enhance their engagement. Among these puppets, Arturo seems to be the favorite.
Ms. Paulino takes the approach that students want to be active and engaged. To that end, her lessons usually begin with a physical warm up where she and the students stand and recite the names of their body parts in Spanish—shoulders, ears, knees etc. Throughout her interactions with students, she uses Spanish 95 percent of the time. English is reserved for providing instructions that may be challenging for students to understand.
“There’s a lot of repetition, switching up activities, playing games,” Ms. Paulino said. “Everything is meant to establish that connection so while they are not in the classroom, they are using the language as much as possible.”
The teacher is spending the first half of the year teaching students’ everyday language, with the second half focusing on units of study about Spanish speaking countries.
“Opening their minds to that level of diversity is something I love to see,” the teacher said, adding that when she informed students those different regions have a different way to say the word “cool,” the students were impressed.
“You are giving kids a glimpse into the culture,” she said.
“Starting a foreign language in elementary school is so wonderful,” Ms. Paulino continued. “It leads into the language program at the middle school. It will change the whole K-12 world language program.”
Most of the students she is working with are not native Spanish speakers. Many of them have relatives who are fluent in Spanish, or they possess some prior knowledge of the language. Some of her students have told her they are practicing what they have learned with older siblings who are also studying the language.
“I think the trick is to make it fun, make it engaging,” she said. “I feed off their enthusiasm. It’s a lot of fun for me.”
Just a few weeks into the new school year, Ms. Paulino has seen how students have embraced what they are learning. One afternoon as she left the building after school, two fifth graders spoke to her in Spanish.
“Seeing the children this excited a month in, it makes me look forward to the rest of the school year,” Ms. Paulino said.