The Gr. 5 class received an affectionate send-off at the Gr. 5 Awards and Promotion Ceremony on June 2. Held to commemorate the achievements of the fifth grade students as they make their next step to middle school, the ceremony began with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a welcome message from Chris Nikoloff, head of school. Dance Fusion, the Gr. 4-6 dance group directed by Gail Palmer, gave an electrifying performance to the Madonna hit “Vogue.”

Several students received awards in a wide range of categories, including citizenship, effort, academic honors, fitness, individual subjects, academic excellence, leadership, personal presentation, courtesy, cooperation, athletics and sportsmanship. Following the award hand-outs, a slide show to recap the 2009-10 school year was enjoyed. The Gr. 5 students then proudly walked up one at a time to receive their promotion certificates.

Having officially completed the fifth grade, the entire class, led by lower school music teacher Jennifer Cowgill, then celebrated by singing “Today is the Day” by Teresa Jennings and, appropriately, “The Harker School Song.”

Kristin Giammona, elementary school division head, closed the ceremony by wishing the Gr. 5 class well as they continued on their scholastic journey.