Croton 4th-Graders Lead Specials Night

From the Croton-Harmon schools

Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School in Croton-on-Hudson opened its doors on Feb. 11 for parents to learn more and get hands-on in the areas of music, arts, library and physical education.

Fourth-grade students, guided by their teachers, led workshops in each area, underscoring the district’s philosophy of allowing students to take charge of their learning.

“Lila Clarke, Ben Gardos and Lucy Gomez showed parents what they learned in drum circles with Mike Veny,” said music teacher Marlena Peters. “It was amazing to see them be the teachers and show off all the skills they acquired.”

“We tried to illustrate how our year goes,” said physical education teacher Robin Cooke, who worked with 24 student volunteers to demonstrate exercises and traditional and non- traditional sports, along with fitness and circus activities. “We also have a new ‘Frozen’ unit,” she said, which involves rope-swinging across the “Lake of Arendelle” and rock-climbing a wall that represents the North Mountain to which Queen Elsa escaped in the Disney film.

Cooke emphasized to parents that the most important part of physical education at CET is helping students find activities that they enjoy, regardless of their physical abilities. In the library, students outlined the curricula at each grade level, discussing character education, geography, the fourth-grade research program and more. They also led tours, according to librarian Melissa Heckler.

“Parents got to see that passion and curiosity are honored and encouraged,” she said.

In the art room, Brie Lafuente and students led parents through creating their own still- life pieces, offering them positive feedback and suggestions. “It allowed parents to see how the art room functions and how it is enabling their children to be more independent,” she said. “It’s very student-driven.”

Photo Captions

Specials Night 1: At Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School’s Specials Night, parents were invited to create their own still-lifes in the art room.

Specials Night 2: At Carrie E. Tompkin Elementary School’s Specials Night, parents participated in a drumming circle led by students.

Photos Courtesy of the Croton-Harmon Schools