Main Street School 5th-Graders Reenact Immigrants’ Experiences

IRVINGTON, NY — Dressed in period clothing and with passports in hand, fourth-graders at Main Street School — who had been studying the great wave of European immigration to the United States through Ellis Island — brought their history studies to life when they participated in the school’s annual Immigration Day on June 8. Through a variety of interactive stations, including mock medical examinations, intensive personal interviews, baggage inspections, rejected passport applications and mock deportations, the students role-played as European immigrants, while parent volunteers and teachers served as official inspectors and immigration agents.

“From the moment students entered the building they assumed the identity of an immigrant and experienced what it may have been like to go through Ellis Island during the Great Wave of Immigration from Europe in the early 1900s,” Principal Joyce Chapnick said. “Immigration Day is a culminating experience to a unit of study on immigration, during which the fourth-graders learn what an immigrant is and consider the cultures and perspectives of immigrants to New York from all over the world.”

Students said the interactive experience helped them understand what the immigrants felt like at the time.

“It was nerve-racking,” said fourth-grader Jordana Laks, who portrayed her great-grandmother from Poland and brought in an old photograph of hers. “I feel like she would be excited to be getting into a new country, but she would be nervous because she could get deported at any time.”

Fourth-grade teacher MaryEllen Fortini said the students began exploring immigration in September when they learned about the first native people to North America and continued the story of immigration right up to today, but for many students this was the first time they made real-life connections to their family’s story.

“As a teacher I was amazed in the high level of interest and respect the children showed to each other as they shared their personal family history back in the classroom,” Fortini said. “There were many conversations comparing and contrasting the immigration experience from family to family.”

Prior to the annual celebration, former high school principal Dr. Scott Mosenthal and local historian Bob Connick treated the students to a special presentation about the families who immigrated to Irvington during the late 1800s.

“Immigration Day is an opportunity for students to share their knowledge as they experience history in New York,” Chapnick said. “We thank all of the parents who volunteered and helped to make the day a success.”

Photo caption: From left, Main Street School fourth-graders Jordana Laks, Eva Sandoval, Daisy Lamb and Lena Svigals brought their history studies to life when they participated in the school’s annual Immigration Day on June 8. Photo credit: Irvington Union Free School District.