Rockville Centre sixth-grade concert features student performances and staffing announcements

At a sixth-grade concert at South Side Middle School, district staff welcomed families, recognized volunteers and student helpers, and announced recent personnel changes in the Rockville Centre Union Free School District.

The assistant principal of South Side Middle School opened the program with logistical notes, saying, “Welcome to the 6th grade concert,” and asking attendees to silence phones and note emergency exits. The assistant principal also said that Mrs. Mark, the director of the arts, was unavailable because she was “fulfilling her duty on a grand jury in Brooklyn.”

Staff noted that concert programs were printed before the retirement of Mr. Bartels from the district. The assistant principal introduced Jacqueline Ray Hack in her new role as superintendent of finance and operations.

Jessica Herman, the 6th-grade orchestra teacher, praised students’ progress and introduced an 8th-grade alumnus who joined the performance, saying, “It has just been absolutely incredible to hear the amount of improvement that they have made in such a short period of time.”

Organizers thanked student videographers Teddy Toscano and Alex Souza, and sound technician Joe York, and acknowledged 6th-grade music teachers Mr. Beiersdorf, Ms. Elias and Ms. Herman for preparing students for the concert. The assistant principal reminded parents of dismissal procedures: chorus and band would be dismissed in the lobby, and orchestra students would be dismissed from room 120 on the first floor.

The program closed with a note of appreciation to the music department and a brief mention of upcoming spring concerts.