Elementary Schools Hold Award Assemblies
Newtown's elementary schools each hosted award assemblies before the school year ended on Monday, June 13. The events highlighted accomplishments throughout the 2015-16 school year.
At Head O' Meadow Elementary School's awards assembly on Wednesday, June 8, Principal Barbara Gasparine welcomed the school community to the event.
Head O' Meadow math/science specialist Chrissie Pierce named each of the students who participated in this year's Math Olympiads program before announcing Brady Macey was the school's high scorer for the program.
Students who participated in chorus and who passed the Connecticut Physical Fitness Assessment tests were also honored. Head O' Meadow parent Kristen Mattera, who oversees the school's geography program, named students who passed a number of that program's tests.
As Ms Gasparine pointed out, there was "an entire table here full of awards to give out" for the geography program.
Ms Gasparine also honored third grade student Lucia St Lorenzo, presenting her with a certificate of recognition from Secretary of State Denise Merrill and the Connecticut Citizenship Fund.
"Lucia is being recognized today for her service to the community through various acts of kindness. For the past three years, she has provided dinner to the Newtown Police Department on both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and made valentine cards for our officers," said Ms Gasparine. "At Christmastime, she wanted to find a way to provide a hug, so she distributed 200 green and white teddy bears to folks visiting the Dunkin' Donuts. This past Fourth of July, Lucia hosted a barbeque for the Newtown police after watching her father do the same at the Veterans Hospital."
According to Ms Gasparine, Lucia raised $3,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project, is an ambassador for the Adopt-a-Cop program, and she is a Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award winner.
"Lucia's kind heart touched Head O' Meadow when she came up with the idea of establishing a lunch account for those in need, which is anonymously funded for identified students," Ms Gasparine said.
Head O' Meadow music teacher Cynthia Holberg led the entire assembled school community in singing "You've Got a Friend in Me" by Randy Newman.
"Stick together and we'll see it through, because you've got a friend in me," the students sang.
Sandy Hook School
Sandy Hook Elementary School Principal Kathy Gombos welcomed her entire school on Thursday, June 9, for end of the year awards ceremony.
Music teacher Maryrose Kristopik and retiring kindergarten teacher Janet Vollmer performed "America The Beautiful" at the start of the event, with the entire school singing along and signing the words to the song, which Ms Vollmer demonstrated.
At the event, C.H. Booth Library Children's Librarian Lana Bennison introduced the assembled school community to the library's summer reading program with an interpretation of The Tortoise and the Hare, with help from Assistant Principal Tim Napolitano and math/science specialist Kris Feda. Ms Napolitano and Ms Feda played the parts of the tortoise and the hare, respectively. As the tortoise and the hare played together throughout the summer, the hare found many things to do instead of reading like the tortoise. By the end of the summer, the tortoise and the hare met at Booth Library to attend a magic and yoga event.
"Yes folks. That will really happen," said Ms Bennison.
In Ms Bennison's story the tortoise earned awards and more from reading throughout the summer, and told the hare, "If you don't exercise your reading skills like you exercise your body, you fall behind… Slow and steady wins the reading race."
Dr Gombos reminded her students that summer is the perfect time to read a book they did not get to read during the school year or the perfect time to reread a book "we love very much."
Sandy Hook School parents Karyn Holden and Allyson Story oversaw this year's geography program, and Ms Holden announced the names of students who passed a number of the program's tests.
Students who participated in the Jump Rope for Heart program, who read books in the school's library, who earned music awards and students who participated in the Math Superstars program were all honored at the event.
Ms Vollmer and retiring first grade teacher Lynn Monahan were also honored during the assembly. Both women were presented with a book of memories and paintings of a landscape with the school's sign, created by using the thumbprints from students.
"Congratulations Ms Monahan and Ms Vollmer. You are going to be missed," said Dr Gombos.
Representatives of the school's graduating fourth grade students ended the assembly by sharing memories from throughout their time at Sandy Hook School.
"To the future students of Sandy Hook School: walk confidently, with every stride you take, keep a smile on your face and remember to always be kind," one fourth grade student read. "On June 13 we will walk out proudly with goodbyes in our heads, smiles on our faces and love in our hearts. Thank you to everyone who has helped to shape and mold us into the smartest, sweetest group of students ever."
Hawley School
Hawley Elementary School Principal Christopher Moretti said the assembly at his school on Friday, June 10, was to celebrate all the work accomplished at the school in the 2015-16 school year.
The assembly was also held to say goodbye to the school's graduating fourth grade students, Mr Moretti said, with the fourth grade assembled on risers in the school's gymnasium.
Hawley math/science specialist Jenna Connors explained that photos of all the fourth grade students were put on display at the school ahead of the assembly and students were asked to match their classmates up with their baby photos.
Ms Bennison also shared information about Booth Library's summer reading program with Hawley students during the assembly. This time students helped her present her story.
Students were recognized at the assembly for participating in the school's geography program, for being members of the school's chorus, for participating in the school's Math Superstars and Math Olympiads programs, for being members of the school's Kids Care Club, for working on keyboarding skills throughout the school year, for earning Connecticut Physical Fitness Assessment awards and for being Student Council members.
Fourth grade teachers also presented awards to students who demonstrated citizenship, and Mr Moretti named a student who earned his Principal's Award, for working hard and being nice.
"There's a talent that we all can have, and that is being kind," said Mr Moretti.
A sign in his office, he said, reminds him of the importance of working hard and being nice, and student Deirdre Smith exemplifies those attributes. The entire Hawley staff was included in the decision to name Deirdre as the 2015-16 Principal's Award recipient.
Middle Gate
Newtown High School Class of 2016 graduate Samantha Dion returned to her former school on Monday, June 13, to share memories of her time at Middle Gate Elementary School with the graduating fourth grade students.
Samantha was named as this year's Middle Gate PTA Scholarship Award recipient.
"We give a scholarship to someone who was here at Middle Gate, went on to high school, and is now going to college," said PTA Scholarship Committee Chair Bonnie Voegeli, adding the PTA looks for a graduate who works hard in school, tries hard in all they do and gives back to the community.
Samantha said her years at Middle Gate represent the best years of her youth. She shared memories from participating in the school's walking club, visiting and learning from the school nurse, field trips and the school's science lab.
"Middle Gate played a crucial role in how I became who I am today," said Samantha.
After Samantha spoke, fourth grade students were recognized for reading Nutmeg Book Award-winning books, for participating in the school's Math Superstars and Math Olympiads programs, for being members of The Middle Gate Bee student newspaper, for participating in walking club and for being bus line leaders throughout the school year.
"I look forward to hearing about all the accomplishments at [Reed Intermediate School] and in the future," said Lead Teacher John Sullivan at the close of the event.