STATEN ISLAND, NY – In a festive atmosphere, the graduation ceremony of 78 Kindergarten students at the Hellenic Classical Charter School in Staten Island took place on June 17.
The young students sang, recited poems about the summer and received praise along with many gifts.
Superintendent Christina Tettonis, in her welcoming remarks, welcomed the parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents to the ceremony, which she described as a special moment full of emotion, smiles, and pride for young and old.
She congratulated the teachers for their excellent work, thanked the school committee for their guidance and support, the parents’ association for their help and excellent cooperation and above all the young students for their promotion to the first grade.
Principal Cathy Kakleas in turn congratulated the students, wished them good progress in the Primary school, thanked the parents for their trust, excellent cooperation and support and the teachers who guided the children with love, patience and pedagogical care.
The awarding of the commendations, left to right, Deirdre Cruz, Joy Petrakos, Christina Tettonis, Cathy Kakleas, Katerina Petrakou, Nura Yasin, and Safira Marki. Photo: TNH/Michael Kakias
Chief Operating Officer of Schools Joy Petrakos spoke about the beautiful moments, joys, and so many pleasant memories with the young students.
“Today, we close a cycle full of play, laughter, exploration, and creativity,” she said. “At our school, our children did not just learn letters or numbers. They learned to share, to cooperate, to respect diversity, to love nature and to express their feelings.”
“Here, in the embrace of our kindergarten, they made their first friends and built the most beautiful memories,” Petrakos said. “I wish you all a good and restful summer with health and many beautiful moments with your families.”
The teachers, Katerina Petrakou, Staci Agrapides, Nura Yasin, Meaghan Poliandro, spoke with words of emotion, joy and pride for the students and wished them a carefree summer and good progress in elementary school.
PTA President Alexis Gambino expressed her warmest congratulations to all the children for the wonderful school graduation ceremony and thanked the teachers and the administration for their daily contribution to the students.