Students travel to study immigration

Hardyston —Hardyston fifth graders took a meaningful class trip from their elementary school to New York Harbor to visit Ellis Island with their teacher, Beverly Devine. The Oct. 26 visit had a dual purpose. Students learned about the experiences of immigrants in general as well as more personal information. Devine had spent the weeks prior to the trip working with the class to research their family histories, identifying relatives who had immigrated through the famous facility in New York Bay in a way that would personalize the class trip. They also studied history to gain an appreciation of the many hardships all immigrants had to endure in order to reach America’s shores and find freedom. The class had also developed a pen pal relationship with fifth grade students at PS 146, in the Bronx. That class is taught by Adrienne Warner, a former Sparta resident and a Class of 2000 alumnus of Sparta High School. Both classes converged on Ellis Island to get to know one another face to face. Together they explored the museum and looked closely at the extensive list of the names of immigrants on the Island’s historic memorial wall. Many students found relatives whose names were on the wall and did pencil rubbings to capture a memento of their trip. The pen pal activity will continue throughout the school year. Another highlight will occur when the PS 146 students visit Hardyston in the spring. The plan is for them to take a tour of the Ogdensburg Mine for a close up lesson about a way of life not found in New York City. They will then enjoy a picnic with their new friends. The participating students from Hardyston are: David Alummoottil, Eric Braun, Kayla Brown, Allie Castellucci, Justine Cieslik, Courtney Dandorf, Shaye Eaton, Daniel Engelhardt, Matthew Ezzo, Dana McKenna, William Perlak, Casey Pusteliak, Casey Repasy, Sarah Rigotty, Timothy Schanstra and Kristin VanArsdale.