Fifth Graders Celebrated in Furnace Woods Moving Up Ceremony

Furnace Woods Elementary School held its annual Moving Up Ceremony for Hendrick Hudson’s fifth graders Friday, June 21 on the blacktop behind the school. Four students led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance prior to opening remarks from Principal Josh Cohen.

“It has been a pleasure getting to know everyone this year,” Mr. Cohen said. “You are what makes our district so special. Seeing your growth helps motivate us to keep on doing what we’re doing.”

After Mr. Cohen spoke, he invited DARE Officer Heather to the stage. She had worked with the students throughout the school year, and spoke to the crowd, encouraging the students to take the lessons they learned and apply them when the begin their journey at Blue Mountain Middle School next year.

Following Officer Heather, Mr. Cohen invited three students to the stage to tell the crowd a few fun jokes, then the administrators and teachers began the Presentation of Certificates.

Every fifth-grade student’s name was read by his or her teacher or teachers: Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Nightingale; Mrs. DaCosta; Mrs. Fucheck; Ms. Giacomantononio; Mrs. Hughes; Mrs. Leonardo; Mrs. McConville; Ms. Oricchio; Mrs. Pousada and Ms. Siegel; and Mr. Wallace.

“We want you to remember that there are always options in every situation,” Mr. Cohen told the students. “You have tremendous control over your success, attitude and well-being. The other day we learned about the people we have special awards for — Lynda Hall, Al Dampf and Francis B. Stein. What they have in common is integrity and character. Remember, in life, do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.”