Southdown School Honors its Fall Stars
Southdown Primary School’s recent “splash” assembly was a happy time for students and their teachers. The session honored a group of especially hardworking youngsters spread across every grade level and also recognized two exceptional faculty members.
The assembly was multi-faceted, including a segment facilitated by teacher Pamela Schwarting that highlighted positive bus behavior. December’s Random Acts of Kindness building-wide initiative was also introduced.
Teacher Meghan Kenny worked closely with Southdown’s PTA leaders to create meaningful activities that support the new initiative. “Students will be doing activities at home and in school to spread some kindness during the holiday season,” Southdown Principal Scott Oshrin said.
Why a so-called “splash” assembly? Well, that’s an easy question to answer. Southdown is the home of the dolphins, the school’s mascot. Students are awarded “splashes” for displaying positive behavior in the classroom and out and about the building, including being kind to others, demonstrating proper behavior in hallways and even boosting the spirits of someone feeling a little down.
One Southdown student is selected from each class in the building for formal recognition at the monthly “splash” assembly. The school considers these youngsters to be its stars of the month.
October’s stars included Jeremiah Dasque DeLeon, Elias Caldwell, Asly Reyes Canales, Joey Perotti, Kelly Cisneros, Will Donaghy, Ryan Ulloa, Thomas Nicotra, Kayvonna Green, Rudis Villatoro, Luis Orrego Salinas, Ana Guevera, Diego Zapata, Jonathan Vigil Campos, Marley Joseph, Olivia Polinsky, Benjamin Edgar-McNerney and Joshua Santana-Lopez.
November’s honorees included Henry Fox, Lily Dolezal, Duntrell Strickland, Quinn Fehrenbacher, Darcy Verville, Kailyn Hanna, Jonathan Contreras, Jesus Menor Vazquez, Riley Uvena, Christopher Alfaro, Frankie Algieri, James Buffa, Isabelle Gregorio, Nina Fascilla, Tommy Fonseco-Lopez, Sophie Lange, Emersen Evans and Danna Flores-Guillen.
Teachers Claudia Gonzalez and Joanne Cicio were also recognized for the fine work they perform each day.
“With the new co-teach model and the challenges that come with it for the English as a new language program, Claudia Gonzalez has taken a leadership role and been supportive of all teachers that she works with,” Mr. Oshrin said.
Mrs. Cicio’s efforts were also praised. “Joanne consistently goes above and beyond to support new and veteran teachers alike,” Mr. Oshrin said. “Along with high academic standards for her students, she is a true teacher leader. While Mrs. Cicio is the math coach, she also takes a leadership role as the literacy team leader for the building. She is a true asset to Southdown.”