The 80 well dressed fifth graders from the Jackson Avenue School filed into the Mineola High School auditorium and took their places on the risers in front of the stage Thursday, June 23 as family members and friends watched them, poised to take pictures.
A quartet of students stood on stage and sang the Star-Spangled Banner to start off the ceremonies.
Principal Matthew Gaven talked about the recognition they had received from Apple for the work they produced on the iPads the Mineola School District introduced to the Jackson Street fifth graders last fall. He told them he would always remember what they accomplished.
“You guys will always be very special to me,” Gaven said.
Fifth grade teacher Sid Burgreen said the past four years had been “the most outstanding of my career.”
Matthew DeLuca, who also taught the fifth graders, told them, “It’s always bittersweet to say goodbye.”
Mineola Superintendent of Schools Michael Nagler thanked Gaven for helping him realize Nagler’s vision for the pilot program.
“This pilot worked because he’s a little crazy – in a good way,” he said.
And Nagler commended the students for what they had achieved with the iPads.
“You are leading the way in Nassau County. Keep the enthusiasm in everything you do,” Nagler said.
The students provided an emotional coda to the event as they sang the Jackson Avenue song that included the words, “The days at Jackson Avenue were the happiest of all.”
Then they were presented with awards for their achievements.
Juliano Lupo, Kaitlyn Assalone, Diana Araujo, Kevin Fraccalvieri and Justin James were recognized for the work they produced on the iPads they reluctantly turned in the week before for the next fifth grade class to use.
MIchael Demelis, Kaitlyn McCarey, Ava Collica and Margaret Bassel received the Town of North Hempstead Citizenship Award for their work on the student council.
Outstanding academic achievement awards were given to Hadley Rotter, Jorge Meja, John Won, Daniel Murray, Kevin Frach, Christian Diaz, Jusin James and Maggie Bassell.
As the excited students gathered in the gym for refreshments after receiving their certificates of promotion, some of the talked about how they felt about the awards and their expectations about moving up to the Mineola Middle School.
Justin James, who was also recognized with a fine arts award for his artwork and his musicianship, said he didn’t expect the award but was happy to receive it.
“I was really surprised about getting it,” James said.
Danielle Pusey said she felt “great” and was look ahead to middle school next fall.
“I’m looking forward to see all my friends from Jackson Avenue and my friends from all the other schools,” she said.
Kaitlyn Assalone said she was happy to receive the iPad award, but had mixed feelings about the occasion.
“I’m happy about it, but I’m sad that I’m leaving.” she said, adding, “But I’m excited about the notebooks next year.”
The fifth graders who adapted quickly to using their iPads will have the chance for more high-tech educational experiences when they recieve Microsoft One-Note Notebooks as sixth graders.
