On Tuesday, March 20, 2018 students from Pre-K to 8th grade invited special friends and parents to join them for a day of celebrating Ellis Island. In keeping with its school motto “Honoring our Past, Building our Future” St. Patrick School looked to family histories as a way of remembering and honoring its family members who came to America.
The day began with a mass and followed with students leading their guests to homerooms to participate in teacher led cultural pursuits. Classes had a variety of activities which included creating Statue of Liberty torches, visiting Ellis Island web pages, investigating their countries of origin, viewing a National Park Service film on the history of Ellis Island, and discussing their family histories.
Upon completion of projects, students and guests enjoyed a musical, “Ellis Island: Gateway to a Dream” presented by the Sundog Theater Company. At the end of the presentations students engaged in a lively discussion with the actors demonstrating knowledge of and enthusiasm for Ellis Island.
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The Ellis Island experience culminated in two break-out sessions in the afternoon led by a member of the Sundog Theater Company, Michael Ferman, which included improv by students of their ancestors as well as ‘Snapshot’, a theater game depicting immigrant themes.
It was a wonderful day of immersion in the history of Ellis Island. Students agreed they had learned a great deal and enjoyed the opportunity to share their family histories. The St. Patrick School community is grateful to parent coordinator, Mrs. Jennifer Szot and the St. Patrick Home and School Association (HAS) for sponsoring this successful cultural enrichment program.
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Saint Patrick School, accredited by AdvancED, is a co-educational, parochial elementary school for students in preschool through eighth grade. The school has been nationally recognized as a United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon School, and a Diocese of Paterson Star School. Saint Patrick School is also a STEM school that promotes student critical thinking and application throughout the curriculum in all grades.
