Bye Bye Birch, Hello Middle School

Sixth grade students from Birch Elementary School celebrated their graduation ceremony on Thursday morning at Brookside School in North Merrick.

Jade Klein, president of student council, welcomed the students in a heartfelt speech, followed by Merrick School Board President Nancy Kaplan's congratulatory address toward Birch Principal Bob Cohen.

Kaplan spoke fondly of Cohen and said, "Thank you for the knowledge, personality and fun you've given us," before he gave his salute to the graduates.

The students also sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in remembrance of the many baseball reports their principal shared with them over the year.

Cohen, who served as interim principal this year and will now hand the reins over to Kerri Schlissel, said: "The end of the school year has always been a sweep – we look forward to the joys of summer, but simultaneously we are sad to say goodbye to our sixth graders. The theme for today's program is twofold: their memories at Birch and their hopes for tomorrow."

The nearly 90 graduates preformed the songs "Birch We'll Always Remember," by Michael Gore, "I Hope You Dance," by Tia Sillers and Mark Sanders and "Times of Your Life" by Roger S. Nichols and William M. Lane.

Seven students from the sixth grade class were given awards for their academic achievement. They were: Cara Eisenmesser, Paige Gittelson, Scott Weisbrot, Nicole Mirsky, Samantha Yom, Cassidy Zane and Jane Mulligan.

The ceremony concluded with the proud graduates waving and holding their diplomas in the air while singing "Follow Me to the Top" by Jay Althouse.

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