Warren Schools End of Year 2021
Submitted by Shannon Regan
The late American author and educator Stephen Covey said it well, “We develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and obstacles.” Throughout the week of June 14, each Warren Township School celebrated its students by hosting moving-up ceremonies and graduations. A common theme shared by school administrators during their celebratory speeches was the students’ ability to demonstrate resilience during an unpredictable school year.
School principals Mr. Scott Cook, Mr. Jeffrey Heaney, Ms. Maria Mensinger, Ms. Christine Smith, Mrs. Alison Tugya, and Mr. George Villar know firsthand the tremendous efforts made by the students, their families, and the district teachers and staff throughout the school year. Students were asked to navigate virtual school with minimal social interaction, a hybrid schedule, and then a return to full in-person school. Families became experts in Google Classroom, Google Meets and so much more while often working together with their children’s teachers to provide the best possible learning experience. Teachers were often working beyond their traditional schedules well into the evening and over the weekends while also balancing the needs of their own families.
All Warren Schools (Angelo L. Tomaso, Central, Mt. Horeb, Woodland, and Warren Middle School) invited the students’ families to be present during the Fifth Grade Moving-Up and Kindergarten Graduation ceremonies while also live-streaming each event for those unable to attend in-person.
Heaney was thrilled to offer an in-person graduation experience. “The Woodland Kindergarten and 5th-grade ceremonies were a wonderful celebration of the hard work, dedication, and teamwork of an absolutely amazing group of students, staff, and families. It was beyond magnificent to see everyone have the chance to be together, feel a sense of normalcy, and make wonderful memories.”
Smith attributes the success of the 2020-2021 school year to the school community as a whole. “This was a year that united our school community in a way that we never thought possible. We couldn’t have been so successful without the parents and staff working together to support our children. During the Kindergarten Celebration and 5th grade Moving Up Ceremonies, our staff was proud to recognize the resilience of our students who remained calm, confident, and flexible with all of the changes required during the pandemic while they continued to grow and thrive this past year. Our youngest learners witnessed trust and support as a foundation of their school experience and our 5th graders are undoubtedly prepared to conquer middle school with the maturity gained through collaboration with the adults around them. ALT couldn’t be more proud of these students. Who are we?! ALT!”
Like Smith and Heaney, Central’s Principal Mrs. Tugya is thankful for having had the opportunity to shine a light on her students, their families, and all of the staff at Central school after the unprecedented school year. “I’m grateful that we were able to celebrate our students with their families. Families, staff, and students all demonstrated so much flexibility and resilience this year; it truly was a celebration for all. Our students accomplished so much this year and I am so proud of each of them.”
Cook shared his sentiments about the end-of-year celebrations at Mt. Horeb School. “There is no better way to celebrate the accomplishments of our preschoolers, kindergartners, and 5th graders than to be together in person. Each of our graduates shined. Each ceremony was adorned with music, student speeches, and truly heartfelt teacher sentiments. A tremendous thank you to our custodians and buildings and grounds crews for making each of these ceremonies possible. Congratulations to our grads!”
Lastly, the Warren Middle School class of 2021 celebrated their graduation from eighth grade surrounded by their family, friends, teachers, administrators, and Board of Education members. Board President, Mr. Marc Franco, congratulated each member of the graduating class while handing the students their diplomas during the ceremony alongside Villar and Mensinger.
“It was a pleasure to look out upon the Warren Middle School graduates on the afternoon of June 16 and see the hopeful faces of our members of the Class of 2021 smiling back. They have endured unexpected challenges and emerged resilient and ready for the future,” added Villar.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Matthew Mingle, also expressed his congratulations to the class of 2021 in his convocation speech during the ceremony. “From that unheralded last day of in-school facility learning for your seventh-grade year through an uncertain summer, an anxious reopening in September, and various iterations of what school looked and felt like throughout this year, you have risen to each new challenge in ways that make us all proud…You, the students of the Warren Middle School class of 2021, have shown resilience and perseverance in ways that we adults could learn much from.”
The district wishes all students and their families a safe and happy summer and looks forward to September.
Photos by Warren Township Schools
