Main Street School Students Re-enact Immigrants’ Experiences

IRVINGTON, NY — Fourth-graders at Main Street School — who had been studying the great wave of European immigration to the United States through Ellis Island — recently brought their history studies to life when they participated in the school’s annual Immigration Day.

Through a variety of interactive stations, including mock medical examinations, intensive personal interviews, baggage inspections, rejected passport applications and mock deportations, they re-enacted the immigrants’ experiences. Parent volunteers and teachers served as official inspectors and immigration agents as the students, who were dressed in period clothing and held passports in hands, rotated through each station.

“Special thanks to all parent volunteers for their support and hard work throughout the day,” Principal Joyce Chapnick said.

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

“The students learned all about the history of immigration in their town through the stories, photos and maps of local families,” Chapnick said.

Photo credit: Irvington Union Free School District.