While attending an orientation at Robert Frost, fifth-graders met with administrators and guidance counselors, who described a typical sixth-grade schedule and described how the incoming sixth-graders can successfully make the most of their middle school experience.  The students also went on a tour of the building led by National Junior Honor Society members.

“This is always an exciting time of year where we look forward to meeting our newest group of students and helping ease the transition to their new school,” said guidance counselor Lisa McQuilkin.

Angel Bachez, a third-grader at JFK, recently received an award from Legislator Tom Donnelly for his outstanding work in the Suffolk County “Be Pool Smart” poster contest. Participants were asked to design a poster representing pool safety.

Civic-minded John F. Kennedy Intermediate School students Alexis Borowski, Angela Gallina, Madeleina Gallina, Victoria Pollisic and Brooke Rivela helped out their classmates, Town of Babylon Junior Beautification Ambassadors Arianna Luppy and Giovanna Luppy, in planting at the Deer Park Commerce Association’s “Adopt-a-Spot” on Deer Park Avenue. Babylon’s Beautification Program was designed to help educate the community about the importance of keeping the town clean and beautiful.

Fifth-graders at JFK completed an impressive unit of study in clay this year during classes with art teacher Sara Meyerback. The students created their own designs and developed glazed bowls and plates, which were then fired in the school’s kiln.

“Working with the fifth-grade classes and watching them create using clay was such a wonderful experience,” said Meyerback. “There has been a history of doing this project with fifth grade in past years, so I wanted to keep up with tradition. Not many elementary schools have a kiln or are able to use such an advanced and unique medium like clay. I felt so lucky to have this memory as my very first experience teaching my students how to work with clay. I am so proud of my students and their beautiful glazed pottery. Most importantly they had fun.”

JFK marked the transition to middle school with a memorable moving up ceremony on June 21, giving the school’s outgoing fifth-grade students a chance to share their memories as well as their excitement for the future.

Jessica Jones sang the National Anthem to begin the ceremony. The students heard from Principal Susan Bonner and fifth-grade Student Government President Erika Sy, as well as Robert Frost Middle School Associate Principal Philip Paniccia, who welcomed the students to sixth grade. Awards and certificates were presented, and the fifth-graders happily sang along to a “Moving Up Medley” mixed by Aba Farghaly. Fifth-grade Student Government Vice President Aiden Arifi gave a happy closing address, telling his classmates, “Have a great summer!”