With less than six weeks remaining, Jefferson Primary School is racing to the school year’s finish line with a flourish. Students have a spring in their step as the weather turns more pleasant.
Dozens of Jefferson youngsters were recently presented with awards for their work throughout the building. Principal Valerie Capitulo-Saide assembled students in the gymnasium for a monthly assembly recognizing April’s Citizens of the Month.
The Citizen of the Month Award is known informally as the Spot Award. Why? Well, when a Jefferson student displays commendable behavior, teachers and staff members “spot” the youngster.
April’s honorees included Daniela Andrade Bonilla, David Cruz, Jemiah Curtis, Colin Fiore, Le’Asia Freeney, Julia Garcia Alvarez, Nayeli Garcia, Joselyn Gomez Ordonez, Christian Guandique, Jefferson Interiano Villalta, Yarel Lopez-Cruz, Keyri Pacheco-Mojica, Richie Palma Palma, Jacquelyn Reyes, Steven Rosado, Joselyn Thorbourne, Logan Tine, Alexander Von Holt and Bennett Wagner.
Jefferson Primary School art teacher Maria Mazzola with the Featured Artists of the Month for May.
The monthly assembly is fun for everyone. It also serves an educational purpose. The school’s classroom teachers give a brief anecdote providing specific details as to the respectful, responsible and/or safe behaviors each honoree demonstrated throughout the month. This anecdote is read when the student’s name is announced at the assembly. Faculty members believe that highlighting specific examples will support and encourage such behaviors throughout the building, at home and in the community.
Jefferson’s Featured Artists of the Month for May were also honored. The artwork of one student from each classroom is featured each month. The pieces are hung in the hallway and the students are formally acknowledged with a medal.
May’s Featured Artists of the Month include Cynthia Acosta Ramos, Nioami Anderson, Christopher Chavez Rivas, Matthew Cruz Perdomo, Naomi Curtis, Gavin Gershuny, Jose Granados Medrano, Emily Gutierrez, Jake Kiernan, Montserrat Mani-Munoz, Clarissa Marcellino-LaQua, Johan Mejia Mejia, Logan Miller, Liam O’Brien, Elena Portillo Campos and Dario Stincone.
The Featured Artists of the Month initiative began when Principal Valerie Capitulo-Saide and art teacher Maria Mazzola decided the top pieces of artwork needed to be shared more widely with the school community and the students who created it needed to be publicly acknowledged for their exceptional efforts.
The school year is sprinting to its conclusion in fine fashion. Several special events are on Jefferson’s calendar in coming weeks. A reception for volunteers is planned for Wednesday, June 6. A concert for Jefferson’s musicians will be held at the high school on Thursday, June 7. This year’s field day is set for Friday, June 8.
Jefferson will hold a celebration for its departing third graders on Tuesday, June 19. The school will say goodbye to its fourth graders during a ceremony and party scheduled for Wednesday, June 20.