Fourth grade graduates always follow their ‘North Star’
Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Fourth-grade girls crowded around one another before their graduation choir performance on May 26 at Poland North Elementary School.
Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Poland North Elementary School celebrated its last fourth-grade graduation on May 26. Pictured, from left, are Bob, Sophia and Charlene Dedo.
Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Poland North Elementary School's fourth-grade students made personalized posters for their special night. Pictured is Branson Gagliano standing next to his poster in the school cafeteria.
Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Uday Singh celebrated his fourth-grade graduation at Poland North Elementary School on May 26.
Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Fourth-grade graduates performed for their guests on May 22 at Poland North Elementary School.
By amanda tonoli
On May 26, Poland North Elementary School honored fourth-grade students for the last time before the schools of Poland reorganize.
Charlene Dedo, PTO member and parent of one of the fourth-grade students graduating, said this annual event was extra special this year because it was the last one.
“We are celebrating evening by sending fourth grade off to middle school in style,” Dedo said.
The theme for the night was “Follow your ‘North’ Star.”
Paper stars and posters lined the walls of the gymnasium. Each poster belonged to a fourth-grade graduate, listing personal qualities and goals, accompanied by a picture of themselves.
Dedo said she would miss the welcoming atmosphere of North and traditional events like this one.
“Kids have been here since kindergarten, this place is like family,” Dedo said. “I like that everyone treats every child like their own.” Anna Whorten, PTO volunteer and parent of a first-grade student, said she enjoyed helping out during the night of recognition.
“It’s fun that families get to get together,” Whorten said.
Fourth-grade students sang a few songs to open the evening’s events followed by dinner served from Bogey’s Catering and a cake for the graduates and their guests from Giant Eagle.