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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – Bells Elementary third-grade students came to school on Thursday morning, April 6, 2017, knowing they were going to take part in an immigration simulation, but unsure of all it would entail. It didn’t take long, as they were split up between first-class passengers and steerage class upon arrival to the all-purpose room – Ellis Island for a day – and prepared to go through several stations to enter the country. First-class members were given a snack of Oreo cookies and juice. The steerage class received crackers and water.
“I had several students tell me they wanted to be in the steerage class in the days because their ancestors came over that way,” said third-grade teacher Amy Catalano, who organized the event. “Some of them were disappointed that they were first class. Until they got their snacks.”’
After the snack, the students went through four stations. At the medical station, they rolled a dice to determine if they were healthy or sick. The sick were detained – sent to the back of the line – until they became well, which was determined by a second dice roll. The interview station had the students answering questions like, “Who was our first president?”; “Who is our current president?”; and “What are the colors of the flag?” At the baggage station, students met with Mr. Rory Maguire, an Irish immigrant who came to the United States nine years ago. Maguire, who is third-grade teacher Melissa Hermley’s brother-in-law, talked about how immigration procedures have changed now compared to decades past, and also brought a perspective of what immigrants leave behind when they pack their bags to move to America. The final station was “Angel Island,” which gave information about the spot in California where Asian immigrants came to our country.
After taking their citizenship tests in the classroom, the students came to the front of the school, where the Bells chorus sang a patriotic song. Then, while waving flags donated by Board of Education vice president Bob Abbott, the students recited the citizenship oath and the Pledge of Allegiance, which was led by Principal Ginny Grier dressed as the Statue of Liberty.
“The students really got into it,” said Catalano, noting that many dressed in the garb that their ancestors might have worn when they came to America. “We’ve had a lot of fun while learning about this whole process.”
Welcome to America!
Bells Elementary School Third-Graders Bring Curriculum to Life, Complete Immigration Simulation
“I had several students tell me they wanted to be in the steerage class in the days because their ancestors came over that way,” said third-grade teacher Amy Catalano, who organized the event. “Some of them were disappointed that they were first class. Until they got their snacks.”’
After the snack, the students went through four stations. At the medical station, they rolled a dice to determine if they were healthy or sick. The sick were detained – sent to the back of the line – until they became well, which was determined by a second dice roll. The interview station had the students answering questions like, “Who was our first president?”; “Who is our current president?”; and “What are the colors of the flag?” At the baggage station, students met with Mr. Rory Maguire, an Irish immigrant who came to the United States nine years ago. Maguire, who is third-grade teacher Melissa Hermley’s brother-in-law, talked about how immigration procedures have changed now compared to decades past, and also brought a perspective of what immigrants leave behind when they pack their bags to move to America. The final station was “Angel Island,” which gave information about the spot in California where Asian immigrants came to our country.
After taking their citizenship tests in the classroom, the students came to the front of the school, where the Bells chorus sang a patriotic song. Then, while waving flags donated by Board of Education vice president Bob Abbott, the students recited the citizenship oath and the Pledge of Allegiance, which was led by Principal Ginny Grier dressed as the Statue of Liberty.
“The students really got into it,” said Catalano, noting that many dressed in the garb that their ancestors might have worn when they came to America. “We’ve had a lot of fun while learning about this whole process.”
- WTPS -