JMMS 7th Graders Travel to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty

Students at Joseph Melillo Middle School felt firsthand what it was like to be an immigrant coming into New York’s Ellis Island on Monday, October 20th. Led by educators Danielle Adamovich and Kathleen Doheny, nearly the entire 7th grade traveled together this week to see not only the infamous island, but the Statue of Liberty, too. Along with 16 of JMMS’ teachers as well as parent chaperones, the 152 students arrived in Battery Park, NYC, anxious to board ferry boats and see just what those immigrants saw as they arrived in America over 100 years ago.

While security has clearly been beefed-up over time just to travel to both Liberty and Ellis Island (think airport security), the students impressed with their cooperation and adherence to all regulations on the trip. Liberty Island was the first stop on the excursion, and many students were excited to take their own “selfies” with Lady Liberty.

Students have been studying immigration at great length in Language Arts classes this quarter. Riding in on the ferry also gave them the experience that many immigrants not only felt, but documented in their accounts of their travels to America in Russell Freedman’s From Immigrant Kids passage. Learning about conditions on the passage boats, like those poor immigrants who rode in steerage, was certainly eye-opening. Access to the Statue’s pedestal and first 165 stairs allowed the kids to see out across the harbor and over to Ellis Island, which was the second destination of the trip.

Upon arrival at Ellis Island, students were immediately taken by the size of the buildings and their grand appearance. Having studied the island and all of the hardships immigrants went through once they arrived, the kids were eager to see inside; particularly the Great Hall (also known as the Registry Room) where immigrants went first. They also got to see exhibits through the many hallways that detailed medical, physical and mental examinations that ultimately decided an immigrant’s fate - be passed through, or be detained and possibly rejected. Some even had time to search the database there for any relatives who came through the island.

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island hold so much of our nation’s great history. For these middle school students to be able to see both, perhaps for the very first time (but hopefully not the last), was an unforgettable experience. In today’s grueling educating and learning processes, giving students the opportunity to travel and see firsthand what has been studied in the classroom is invaluable. A trip for next year is almost certain!