Moving Up 2023-Article, Video, Photos
In spite of the clouds, our Hawthorne 2nd graders shined brightly at their Moving Up ceremony today! The grade lined up by class, with their teachers for one last time and processed onto the field to the sounds of “Pachelbel's Canon” for one grade-wide Moving Up celebration- all together as one class!
Principal Anne Stern welcomed guests and invited them to join students in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner and then Superintendent Peter Giarrizzo addressed the students first by pointing out to them that they are the Hawthorne Elementary Class of 2023, the Columbus Elementary Class of 2026, the Westlake Middle School Class of 2029, and the Westlake High School Class 2033. (GULP!)
He told that class that he was proud of their hard work the past three years, and reminded them that they each have a little magic inside them. He quoted Roald Dahl’s The Minpins, “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.If you don't believe in the extraordinary, you cannot achieve impossible dreams.” He closed by saying, “Those who don't believe in magic will never find it. As you move up, believe in your magic. It will help you. The future is bright with all of you!”
Under the direction of Connie’Marie Rao, students sang, “Stand By Me” and “Count on Me” before Mrs. Stern spoke to them one last time, “The first part of your journey is complete:. You have learned how to be wonderful partners, teammates, friends, readers, writers, mathematicians, athletes, and artists. You have helped friends, told the truth, used your words to solve a problem, and made sure others were included. You have made us proud.”
“We know you'll do your best at Columbus. As you leave Hawthorne, remember three important things: treat others the way you want to be treated, be persistent, and use your words. My challenge to you is to BE CREATIVE. Just like our friend Abigail who adopted a tree in the story Trees Make Great Pets. “She closed by asking the kids to confirm they would do as she asked, “Thumbs up if you’ve got it!” Of course every thumb was raised.
Students then delighted parents with two more songs “Moj Bubrrec” and “Eh Cumoari.”
Assistant principal Theresa Outhouse then reminded the students that they have learned, “patience, flexibility, persistence which will be helpful at Columbus. As you leave Hawthorne you are not alone, I will be right there with you! I know you’ll accomplish great things. Congratulations!”
For the grand finale, students sang a Hawthorne Class of 2023 original “We are Wildcats” and “We are All in this Together.”
The ceremony closed with Mrs. Stern formally recognizing these newly minted 3rd graders and sent them for high fives and pictures on the field to the sounds of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons, Spring.”