Merrick Sixth Graders Move Up

Birch, Chatterton and Levy Lakeside schools in Merrick said farewell to their sixth-grade classes during their respective moving up ceremonies. Brookside School in North Merrick served as the site for the Birch and Lakeside ceremonies, while Chatterton hosted the event on its home turf.

Merrick Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Banks congratulated graduates and touted the clubs, sports and music programs available to them at their next education destination. She encouraged the soon-to-be graduates to explore and participate in the many extra-curricular activities at the middle school.

Students from all three schools gave welcoming remarks, provided introductions of speakers, and reflected on their elementary school years. They shared many fond memories and experiences, while also thanking the faculty and staff who helped them along the way.

“Thank you to everyone in the audience who played a role in helping us become the ROARS students we are today,” said Levy Lakeside sixth-grader Jack Schwed, paying homage to the school’s character education club. “We are respectful, open minded, accepting, responsible students.”

Students gave memorable performances at each ceremony, with Chatterton students delivering a special rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Castle on a Hill,” in which the lyrics were rewritten by two students to express their feelings of nostalgia towards their elementary school and excitement about moving on to middle school. Birch’s choral performance of “Birch Will Always Remember” also delivered a personal sentiment through song.

Once all of the speakers provided their thoughts and well wishes, it was time to declare the sixth-graders graduates of the Merrick School District. Principals and assistant principals awarded elementary diplomas and bid their students a fond farewell, with hopes of a fantastic future in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, and beyond.

Photos courtesy Merrick School District