Massapequa Fifth Graders Graduate From Elementary School

For the first time since 1967, Massapequa fifth graders graduated from elementary school during a moving-up ceremony held recently and will soon become the first sixth-grade class to enter Berner Middle School.

Last year, the Board of Education voted to approve including sixth grade at Berner Middle School

This September will be the first time in 50 years all sixth grade middle school students will be part of a grade 6 through 8 learning environment at the school.

In addition, this September, the 546 graduates from six elementary schools will come together for the first time as the high school Class of 2024.

During moving up ceremonies on June 19 and 20, the students were reminded of the new opportunities they will have including foreign language instruction, having their own Chromebooks, making new friends, and getting involved in extracurricular activities and intramural sports.

“This milestone is extra special this year,” Superintendent Lucille F. Iconis said. “You have been prepared well and you are ready.”

Student speakers talked about their most memorable elementary school moments, thanked the teachers who have helped them along the way and expressed joy for all that lies ahead.

They expressed confidence that the character traits they developed in the past six years will serve them well in the next step of their educational journey.

“Birch Lane is an amazing school and I watched my classmates and myself grow up to be good people,” Olivia Rappa said. “The teachers are so warm and understanding.”

The ceremonies included awards, musical presentations and photo slideshows, and each program had its own personal touch.

Students at Birch Lane and Fairfield elementary schools presented carnations to their parents.

“We’re not kids anymore,” said Lockhart fifth-grader Joseph Ivancich. “We are graduates. It is time for us to move on and take another step toward being adults.”

Congratulations to all the graduates!

Photo Caption:

1: Fairfield Elementary School fifth-grade graduates ended their moving up ceremony with a rendition of “We’re All in this Together.”

2: Birch Lane Elementary School fifth-grader Patrick Mannino presented a carnation to his mother, Maria Mannino, as part of an annual graduation tradition.

3: Lockhart Elementary School Principal Stephen Scarallo and teacher Josephine Stainkamp joined several of the fifth-grade graduates.

Photos courtesy of Massapequa School District