Waverly First Graders Celebrate Moving Up

The grins were wide and the voices were joyous on Wednesday morning, as the district’s first graders celebrated the end of their time at Waverly during the school’s annual Moving Up Concert. 

The young scholars proudly took their place on the risers in the Waverly gymnasium in front of family members and friends, marking the first graders' final performance at Eastchester’s K-1 elementary school before they move on to either Anne Hutchinson or Greenvale next year. 

Under the charge of Waverly music teacher Katherine Ness, the students performed a number of rousing numbers, including standards like “America the Beautiful” and “This Land is Your Land,” and songs that shine a spotlight on the Waverly experience, such as “The SOAR Song” and “I Like Waverly.”

Waverly Principal Caitlin Mondelli called the event “bittersweet,” noting that while it may be emotional for both parents and educators to watch the district’s first graders moving on, all should be proud of the tremendous growth and maturation that the young learners have shown throughout the last two years.

“Today, we celebrate all that you’ve done, all that you’ve learned, and most importantly, who you’ve become,” Mondelli told the students. “You didn’t just learn to read more books, solve trickier math problems or write stronger stories, you learned how to be kind classmates, helpful friends and proud members of our school community.”

EUFSD Superintendent Dr. Ronald Valenti seconded Mondelli’s sentiments, stressing the importance of the lessons students learned at Waverly, both academic and emotional. Those skills, said Valenti, will be the building blocks the youngsters will use throughout their lives.

“This is a very big moment in your lives and we’re very proud of you,” said Valenti. “You’ve learned arithmetic, language arts, social studies and science, but also matters of the heart; you’ve learned to love, be kind, to be good to others. Take it with you to your second grade, third grade and beyond.”

Waverly’s celebration of its first graders continued in the afternoon at the annual Moving Up Picnic, which featured mini-golf, music and food trucks, a fitting end to two years of fun, learning and growth. 

In her final message to the students, Mondelli urged them to remember the bonds they have forged over the last two years and to continue to live each day with a strength of spirit and love for their community. 

“As you move up to second grade, either at Anne Hutch or Greenvale, take your kind hearts and soaring spirits with you,” said Mondelli. “The world needs people who are smart, strong and kind and that’s you. So congratulations, first graders, we are so proud of you; keep soaring high.”