Surrounded by parents and family members, students from all seven of the Syosset Central School District’s elementary schools reached an important milestone in their young lives on June 25 – their elementary moving up ceremony. Fifth-graders from A.P. Willits, Berry Hill, J. Irving Baylis, Robbins Lane, South Grove, Village and Walt Whitman elementary schools kicked off the special occasion by marching into their respective ceremonies, ready to make the transition from elementary to middle school. As the fifth-graders prepare to enter H.B. Thompson or South Woods middle schools in the fall, Board of Education trustees spoke to the students about how far they have come and what they have to look forward to in their futures.
Musical presentations supplemented many moving up exercises. At A.P. Willits, fifth-graders sang “The Best Day of My Life” and “Happy Mix” in front of family and friends. Walt Whitman’s ceremony featured musical interludes performed by members of the fifth-grade orchestra and band, as well as graduation songs, such as Bruno Mars’ “Count on Me” and the “Walt Whitman Song.” Fifth-graders at Village celebrated the day with a special musical performance of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” which kept with their theme for the ceremony – “Our Future is Out There in the Wild.”
Students were honored with awards at J. Irving Baylis, including recognitions for perfect attendance, citizenship, community service, All-County music participation and student council participation, among others. Fifth-graders from Berry Hill were also honored during their moving up ceremony for participation in student council, peer mediation, NYSSMA, All-County, Math Olympiad and Nassau All-County Artist.
Robbins Lane highlighted the day with several student speakers, who discussed their time at the school, as well as a montage documenting various activities. At many of the schools, including South Grove, students were recognized for their strengths in one of the eight areas of multiple intelligences, highlighting students’ various attributes.
Principals and teachers announced and presented each student with a certificate to recognize their transition from elementary to middle school.
