Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Student Recognition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newington School District honors outstanding students at end-of-year awards ceremony
Summary
Newington Public Schools held an end-of-year ceremony recognizing students from elementary through high school for academic progress, leadership and citizenship. Teachers nominate one student per classroom and a committee selects the district’s outstanding students; about 2% of the district is eligible and the honor is given only once per student.
Newington School District held an end-of-year awards ceremony to recognize outstanding students from elementary, middle and high schools, honoring pupils for academic progress, leadership and citizenship. District and school leaders invited students and families to the event, which included teacher remarks, student reflections and a group photo.
The ceremony highlighted the district’s selection process: each classroom teacher nominates one student for student of the month, and a committee reviews nominations to pick the school’s outstanding student. Organizers noted the district-wide award is rare — roughly 2% of the student population is eligible — and a student may receive it only once.
Principal Smith presented Anna Reynolds’ honoree, Thomas Barahona, and read teacher comments praising Thomas’s academic improvement, leadership on safety patrol and consistent effort. Principal Smith told the audience that teachers praised Thomas for showing growth socially and academically and for setting and meeting goals.
At Elizabeth Greene Elementary, Principal Duran introduced fourth-grader Ivy Chu. Duran read teacher statements describing Ivy as “kind, diligent and loyal,” a student who stands up for fairness and models inclusion. Ivy told the group she plans to be a doctor someday and said her favorite subjects include math and art.
John Patterson’s head teacher, Miss Hinton (standing in for a principal absent that day), presented fourth-grader Jake McDougal. Hinton relayed teachers’ appreciations for Jake’s willingness to accept feedback, help classmates and contribute positively to school culture.
Kim Marciano introduced Avery Crawford as the Ruth Gaffey honoree and read a series of teacher comments noting Avery’s kindness, persistence, artistic work on display in a town art show, and involvement in cheer and gymnastics. Marciano described Avery as a “responsible digital citizen” who shows growth in technology and art.
At Martin Kellogg Middle School, Miss Flowers spoke for an absent principal and presented seventh-grader Nikayla Roberts. Flowers and Nikayla’s teachers praised her academic improvement, growing self-advocacy and leadership in group projects. Roberts spoke directly to the audience: “I used to stay quiet when I didn't understand something, but now I know it's okay to ask questions,” she said, describing a change that helped her become a peer leader.
John Wallace Middle School and other principals read similar compilations of teachers’ remarks for their honorees; those remarks repeatedly cited preparation, respect, determination and helpfulness to peers. Newington High School Principal Tara Taino presented freshman Grace Miller as the high school’s outstanding student of the month, noting her leadership as class vice president, participation in band and athletics, volunteer work and strong grades.
Organizers closed the program by inviting honorees and guests for a group photograph and refreshments. District staff said a recording and link to the ceremony would be shared with families after the event.
The awards ceremony emphasized the district’s portrait-of-a-graduate goals — communication, collaboration, leadership and thinking skills — and highlighted individual students who teachers and principals said exemplify those qualities.
