Thursday, June 8, 2023
3:00pm
Field of Dreams
Halina, Elijah, Philippa, Audrey, Julie-Alice, Rocco, Elisa, Olivia, Mays, Tessa, Dylan, Sloane, Derien, Frederick , Judah, Mara, Marius, Valentina, Paige, Jade, Rhazes, Kyler, Jade, Nylah, Montgomery, Watson, Ford & Sarah
The Graduation Ceremony is a PS1 rite of passage. Each year, each graduate stands in front of parents, teachers, and fellow students to address the crowd. This experience is incredibly moving as the graduates share their words of wisdom before heading off to middle school.
Alumni Representatives:
We are excited to share this Class of 2023 Grad Book (containing all of the student speeches, parent tributes, and Moving Up words from all of their years at PS1).
Audrey Carpenter
Elisa Egner
Olivia Fite
Mara Krauss
Paige Serra-Toynton
Kyler Sziraki
Jade Techentin
Montgomery Turner
We hope you enjoy!
When I think about my years at PS1, the years play back like a movie. And every great movie needs a soundtrack. It’s my pleasure to let you hear my PS1 soundtrack.
Kicking off this playlist is Starlight by Muse. It’s upbeat, optimistic and makes me wanna sing along. I picture walking into school on the first day of second grade with this song blasting and bubble machines. It was a new beginning, and an exciting time filled with hope. I didn’t know that this is where I would be having the time of my life for years to come. I had two amazing teachers, Billy and Keondria, who helped me become comfortable with taking on challenges and who got me through my first two years of PS1. Not only were the teachers amazing, the other kids were too, I met my first group of best friends in that class, I made amazing memories in that year that I will cherish forever. And of course a great year deserves a great song.
Second on the playlist is Dare by Gorillaz. It’s a very fast and upbeat song that always lifts me up on a rough day. The song has a super ALIVE, happy and somewhat relaxed feel. 3rd grade was just that. I look at 3rd grade like a Tuesday. Monday was your warm up day and now Tuesday is your day to live through the rest of your week. Second year of Blue, a time to be alive, but most importantly, it’s when my passion for writing began. My friendships grew, everything was going well. Near the end of 3rd grade however is when the pandemic started. You may have already predicted that the playlist is going to take a drastic change in mood.
The third song is Heart to Heart by Mac Demarco. If you know the song, you would know that this slow jazzy song has a very lonely and relatable feel. Even though it’s emotional it still ends in hope. 4th grade was just that. I had moved from the school for a few months then returned to midyear over Zoom. Being in school on Zoom felt endless and even lonely at times. The song’s lyrics about wanting to come back and be together are very fitting for the situation that was taking place. And like the song it ended with a note of hope because we ended up being able to come back to campus.
Song four makes quite an entrance with an almost static blast waking me up from the slow moody song before. The song is Townie by Mitski. It is energetic and upbeat. The message is about growing up and finding yourself. It was 5th grade, campus was back up and running and I spent most of my days catching up with friends who I didn’t see a lot last year. I had officially started Olders which meant I had a lot of growing up to do. It was a fast paced year with fun math projects, learning about Ancient Greece for Shakespeare, getting to know my fantastic teachers and watching my newly formed group of besties grow.
Closing out my PS1 playlist is My Future by Billie Elilish. It’s a Soulful, beautiful and powerful song about closing a chapter and moving on to another exciting adventure. Perhaps Billie Eilish says it best in these lyrics, “‘cause I’m in love with my future. Can’t wait to meet her.” This year was definitely powerful. We learned how to be good role models, we applied to middle schools and made some big choices about our futures, which was challenging.
I’ve loved almost every second here at PS1 but just like Billie Eilish I can’t wait to meet my future.
Halina. Anne. Avery-Stead. We chose each part of your name to reflect outright that you are integral to, and the next generation of, our broader family. The fourth Halina and the third Anne, from your mothers and grandmothers, Avery and Stead from each of your grandfathers. And in your genes, you carry an even broader history - your Titi Robyn, Nana Cindy and Nini Jackie to name just three, all have passed to you building blocks for your life.
You carry this history in your name and in your cells, alongside the amazing story you are creating and living yourself. What a story you are already crafting, as you reach this milestone – graduating 6 th grade!
I remember in the first days after you were born thinking: “Someday she will call me Mommy!”. I was overjoyed at the thought. It was incredible to look at you as this tiny baby and imagine all the things you would one day be able to do.
We are so proud that not only did you learn to say Mommy (haha), but you have this tremendous Voice. Your writing has always been special, you have known your own mind from a very early age, and you are an astute observer of human behavior. We could never have predicted any of those things, and it is such a delight to witness and enjoy. Even when we disagree, we are so proud of you for having opinions and speaking them.
What unique experiences you have had. We traipsed you around between New York, San Diego and Dortmund for years. You attended schools in New York City and San Diego, but we found your school home and your great friends at PS1. PS1 and your friendships kept drawing us back to Santa Monica. Here you have continued to develop your voice and we continue to listen! We can’t wait to see what new things you are going to learn about yourself and the world in this next chapter of life. We love you and we are here to always say “go for it” while having your back. We approve of you unconditionally. Dare to try things, be kind, and enjoy this amazing adventure of life! There are wonderful things ahead.
Congratulations, Halina!
Words from Halina Avery and Kim Stead: Words from Halina Anne Avery-Stead:2018-2019
You really knew your lines so well during Circle Time. You are so welcoming in making friends. You are open-minded to taking risks. You are a genius in many ways. Words cannot say how many ways you are awesome. You are so funny and find a way to be happy and you share it with others. You are so sweet like candy.
2019-2020
You are always kind and generous to others, and you help me if I ever need support. I enjoy exploring adverbs with you because you are really good at it. Your guinea pigs (Mocha and Bella) are so cute and cuddly. You are so funny, and you always share jokes with our entire table. I love being around you for hangouts, playdates, and school activities because you are an inclusive friend. You were so confident when sharing your Circle Time speech.
2020-2021
It is really fun to talk to you about shows that we liked when we were 5 years old. You always hang out with me when I am lonely or feeling upset. You are really nice and supportive. You are an amazing friend. You are calm and cool. You are a really good friend and whenever someone is alone and sad you always try to cheer them up. You are a very kind friend who always makes me smile. You make life more exciting and mysterious.
2021-2022
I am so appreciative of how you’re constantly reaching out to me and being so easy to laugh and talk with! Your personality is so unique and enduring, and I’m so grateful to have gotten to know you this year! You are so smart, cool and have a good vibe all the time. Your sarcasm and commentary is the best thing that has ever happened to humankind. I also really appreciate your resilience and positivity. You are so kind, and you always try your hardest in every subject. Your writing is captivating. Working on open house with you was so much fun! I love how much you care for animals and I love how much you care for others more than yourself. You are amazing at art and you are a great dancer. Last, I love your style but your great friendship is even better. I could never ask for a better bestie. next year!
2022-2023
You are such a fun person to be around - I love all the inside jokes we have, and I love to listen to the Gorillaz together. You go with the flow and are really flexible working with different partners, and not everyone can do this. You are super creative, funny, caring, supportive and inclusive, and so good at speaking German, too. I really like how we both like murder mysteries. You’ve been so nice and encouraging to me ever since I met youyou’re sincere, generous, and outgoing, and one of my best friends. It was fun to write a play with you - you always have amazing ideas. You keep me excited for school every day, and our pyramid sessions are so entertaining and enjoyable. Thank you for being a great friend.
“Change likepeople.terrifiesThey theynew,butdon’tlike new with change.”Damon Albarn
Words from Elijah Christopher Barrett:
Hello, my name is Elijah Barrett and I am a 7-year grad. It has been a journey starting in 2016 when I first came to PS1. I was in orange with Preethi and Jen. At first, I did not know anybody and didn’t even want to go to school. But one day after school in aftercare I made my first friend at PS1. And that carved a path for me to make more friends and now here I am in Olders, graduating PS1 with people that have been in my life throughout my PS1 experience. I have so many memories of PS1 but I will only share one because it is funny. In Blue, when we went on the all-school camping trip, one of the kids in my tent left a ham sandwich in the corner so all the bugs and roaches came in and I was forced to cover myself in bug spray.
I am going to Campbell Hall for middle school next year. It is an excellent school with a great campus and kids. When I go to Campbell I will not know anyone but I am confident I will make friends and do well in that environment. I want to thank my mom, Annalisa and my dad, Jason for being there for me on this journey. By the way, can we go to Benihana tonight? So thank you PS1 for preparing me for this new chapter in my life. I will never forget the teachers, staff, and people I have built friendships with that are so special to me. And for all my friends I will cherish the memories of whooping you in PE! Thank you
Words from Annalisa and Jason Barrett:
We are beyond proud of you. You have come so far in your journey as a student at PS1. Your confidence beams and you take pride in your endeavors. One trait about you that has stayed consistent ever since you started making friends is that you are a thoughtful and caring.
You are flexible, kind, open and considerate of your mates. Above all else, treating others with regard and respect is what we would have hoped to instill in you and you make us so proud with how you treat your peers. We will continue to work with you on applying this to your sister but that’s for another time, lol. This is about you and your growth over the past 7 years. You are embarking on a new life chapter and we know you are eager and ready.
We can’t wait to witness you grow even further as a learner, collaborator, athlete and friend!
We love you so much Buddy.
You are so nice and love to play basketball. You always say “Good Game!” after you play. You have nice moves like when you dribble sometimes you lift one leg and you pass the ball under the leg to your other hand. You never say mean words and always welcome us to your games. You always have a positive attitude and who ever asks you to play you say “Of course!” even if someone isn’t very good at basketball yet.
2017-2018
You are a very sweet person, a good football player. You help me make robots and you include people when they want to play. You are a great best friend and good at sports, especially basketball and soccer. We like you because you are funny. You play by the rules and you know a lot about sports. You always show good sportsmanship. If people want to know more about sports, you can ask him!
2018-2019
You learned the simple machines dance so quickly. You have excellent soccer skills.
You are a great math partner.
You are a good sport and competitive in a good way.
You like having a good time with your friends. I enjoyed playing the “War of the Shoes” game with you since you play so hard.
Your passion for sports is contagious to everyone around you. It is amazing to be on a team with you because I can always count on you to cheer me on! You are so creative and you also have really interesting ideas!!!!
You are so nice to me and everyone else in the school, remember in blue when we were playing capture the flag and me you and Luca were all sprinting towards the ball and we did a trick that got the other team all confused and then we won.
2020-2021
I admire how you are very determined, for example, you said that last year you were not able to kick a homerun in kickball, but you practiced every day and eventually you got it. You are very clever. You have room for everyone, even if they’re not a friend. You are one of my best friends in this class because, when someone gets hurt you care about them, (mostly me) and just wait for them to get up before you play.
2021-2022
Eli you are so funny and you make my day every day I love your sense of humor and I hope we can still be friends in the future. You’re also really nice and I can tell that you care so much about others. I have loved having you in my class this year. You are a caring person. You are an amazing friend because you are kind, helpful, creative, and caring. I enjoy watching you play basketball because you are super good at it. I love your energetic and fun personality and your strength to never give up. I like that you have memorized all your lines for Julius Caesar…you did an amazing job. If there’s one thing I like about you, it’s that I like more than just one thing about you. You have always been so welcoming towards me, and I always feel so calm and safe with you.
When we play sports and we may not get a really good team you always try to help the team and to motivate everyone to get back out there and to work hard. You are a problem solver. You have so much personality, and like to have a good time. You always make me smile when I am upset and being in class with you these years has made my experience at ps1 better. You are funny, upbeat and fun to talk to. During the conversation thing in SEL it was interesting to talk to you about middle school. You are really funny and add levity to the tone. You are a great person to be around.
2022-2023When I walked through the brown gates of PS1 for the very first time, I started my painting. I knew what I needed to do as early as the first holographic bubble popped, disappearing in a fizz of soap. It was time to start making my canvas. Soon, I was led to a forest, my teachers guiding the way. One filled with many different trees. Some big, some small, some straight, and some weathered. As I looked up at their old bark, I felt their knowledge and experience washing over me. I could feel the imaginary hands of all those who had planted them, edging me on, to take a piece of their discoveries with me. The ground was covered in a thick layer of lush grass, and the birds sang their dulcet melodies. The forest glittered with light from the transparent leaves, showering the forest with a multicolored glow. As soon as I saw the trees, I knew what I needed to do. I began to start cutting. I chopped wood from so many different oaks, cedars, birches, and much more, just as the teachers had shown me. They held my hands as I sanded the wood as I slowly learned the motions myself. I soon started to smell the fresh scent of chopped wood leaving its final mark on the world, and I tasted the brittle but sweet taste of the forest. The whole time I continued to wonder, what would my painting be? I wanted to know and I kept on working. One morning, something had changed. I realized that instead of my teachers, I found my new friends beside me, lying peacefully on the soft grass of the forest. I looked around at all of nature and animals and realized something was different, something was new. Many Cotton bushes stood beside the trees, tall and proud. I walked over and plucked a fluffy ball from the plant, and felt the soft fuzz of it rub against my hand. Once again, I just knew what I needed to do, but not alone. We began to pick the cotton. Whenever I helped my friends or they helped me, we turned what we harvested into beautiful threads that glinted in the sun and glittered in the moonlight. Now I had all the threads I needed. We started to weave. We sat together for a very long time, the leaves casting a golden halo around us all. We worked until we had a sheet, anything but blank, but still ready to be painted with color. I awoke to the forest one last time, but now, I was with everyone. I looked to my left and saw all of my teachers and friends I had met over the years, and on my right, I saw all of my family, who I had known forever. Everyone here had helped me make my materials, and now we were going to put it together. We all gathered side by side as we stretched the fresh fabric over the sturdy frame, and stapled it into place. We laughed and cried as we worked, but soon, I came to a realization that my time in the forest was done. I am now looking around at the forest, old and knowing, and I can feel the bittersweet feeling of moving on, like sinking your teeth into dark chocolate for the very first time, as the comforting taste of milk chocolate washes away into a memory. Now, thanks to everyone I know, I am standing here with a beautiful canvas.
Throughout my life, I’ll be making my very own painting, unique in its own way, that I know has no match or clone. Thank you to everyone that helped me make this canvas. Thank you to my teachers and friends for everything and for always helping me. Thank you to all of my family for always being there to support me and lead me through the tough times. Thanks to all of these wonderful people, I am here today, getting ready to make the brushes and paint. But even when I have finished painting, I’ll never forget the people and experiences that helped me make it.
When you were born my very first thought was, “Whoa, who is this?!”
It was such an unexpected feeling because I had prepared for “aww little baby.” Instead you were in that moment, as you are now, entirely you. Your surprising nature is both constant and constantly evolving.
When you were barely old enough to hold a paintbrush you swirled white, red and green into the lower corner of your paper, “flower” you stated. Pointing then to a small dash of white in the upper opposite corner you added “petal”. I thought you had dropped your brush, you had added the wind. At 6 you announced you’d written your first song. We joyfully listened to you play a beautiful, complex piano piece until you revealed its title, Crying. We had expected youthful sunshine, you gave us deep water.
I love watching you be you. You are and have always been an artist, a musician, a writer, an engineer. Your voice and point of view are clear. You are surefooted, steady and stupendous. Kindhearted to the very core. You inspire me and make me laugh.
Since you were born not a day has passed that I don’t think, “Whoa, who is this?” “She is AWESOME!”......and I love you.
Dearest Pippa,
What a blessing it has been to watch you grow up at PS1 surrounded and supported by such a wonderful group of friends and mentors. Each year has been a gift of witnessing your development into a richer, more complex version of the person you are and have always been: one filled with kindness and humor, an agile curiosity combined with a determined adventurousness of spirit, resilience, and an open-hearted willingness to teach what you know to others, myself included.
You leave joy in your wake and every day with you is a reminder of how lucky your mom and I are. We are so very proud of you. I love you Pippi. Dad
- Mom2016-2017
You have a lot of imagination!
Sometimes I see you playing with your friends and you are always pretending. You never have a frown on your face. You always have a huge smile. When I say “Hi” you say “How are you doing?” and it makes me feel like you’re a best friend for me. You never give up. One time when we were doing outdoor play together you were trying to score a goal and you missed but kept trying until you made one.
2017-2018
I love how you are so kind and you always help me when I am hurt – you take me to the sick room. You are a great friend because one day you offered to play Poision with me and that was really thoughtful. Me, you and Clara play Monkey In The Middle and that is fun – you are a great Monkey. I like to listen to music on field trips with you. Your favorite song is Hello with Toast Guy. I love how much you love cats and you’re a great friend.
2018-2019
You are nice, warm, and always invite others to play.
You never say no when people want to play with you.
You are patient, kind, and generous. You are helpful without judging, you are considerate and supportive.
You are polite and thank the teachers at the end of every day. You have an open mind. You are the most polite person I have ever met and very thoughtful. You are hilarious and make funny jokes. You are a great friend to have and I’m glad we are neighbors too. You are an enthusiastic skateboarder!
2019-2020
You are a very confident, sweet and an amazing friend. You are really thoughtful and you are really polite to the teachers. You are an up stander and when I sat at your table you were always funny and nice. I love your enthusiasm and nature to be kind to everyone you meet. You are good at basketball and pretty athletic. I like how you like to watch scary movies even though most people can’t stand them.
2020-2021
Where do I even start? You are sweet, supportive, and polite. You are amazing, awesome, and one of the best friends I could ever have or wish for. I really admire how you always put other people before you. Thank you for standing up for me in P.E. and letting me have a turn, I really appreciate that. You have helped me become who I am today and I am so grateful and thankful for that. You are really creative. I like the ways you do your work in math, it is very unique. You are very confident. There’s not one time where you have given up or just done your work carelessly.
2021-2022
Pippa you are literally the best at no powers in handball. You have really cool friends and write great poetry. Not to mention your drawing skills blow me away. I wish I could draw like you. You are good at shading and making a perfect shadow. Poppy, you are so good at art and when I see it I am always impressed. Also you are really good at math and I really admire that. You are also so nice. When we talk the conversations are always so interesting and fun. I also like playing handball with you. Pippa you are so nice and caring. Whenever someone gets hurt you run over to them even if it is not your fault and ask them “are you ok?” or “do you need an ice pack or do you need a band-aid?” you are so nice and helpful. Thank you for being so nice
Pippa you are so creative and smart. You write great stories and are good in math. Pippa, I remember when we first met in youngers. Ever since then I’ve thought you were a really cool and courageous person. Pippa, you’re creative and kind and have some of the most important skills. You can make any situation look exciting and you let everyone around you feed off your gleeful energy. Have fun next year!
2022-2023
You are such an amazing friend and you always put others before yourself. You are always making sure that I’m ok and you are always saying sorry. You can draw anything and you are so good at it. You have so much empathy for anyone, I love how you are so inclusive and laugh at the jokes people make even though they’re not that funny. I love how you are strong and determined about what you want to do. You always have a smile on your face and try your best in whatever you do. I love how you have great sportsmanship whether you win or lose. You can just pick up a pencil and start drawing a masterpiece and finish it in 5 minutes. You always make my day and you always have the funniest jokes ever. You’re an amazing artist. Last year you made my birthday card and I loved it so much I kept it and it’s been hanging up in my room ever since. You are kind to everyone and friendly. You are positive and joyful. You are helpful and kind hearted.
Seven years at PS1 is like a rose
As I have grown the angelic flower has grown too
My body has been wrapped in memories of me and my classmates
Like a rose stem is wrapped in thorns
As I have aged I’ve learned that even though people see the rose as a perfect flower
Roses also have days where they are dull, But that doesn’t stop them from growing back a brighter and richer shade of red
My friends are like the leaves on this flower
Sometimes the leaves stay with the rose and continue with the flower as it grows and gains more leaves
Sometimes the leaves fall from the rose
Giving the rose room to grow more leaves as the rose ages
Whether the leaves stay or go in the future,
The rose will always have a place where the fallen leaves once were Reminding it of all the good memories.
Roses come in different colors each representing something new
Like each year that I have spent at this school always having something new for me to learn and experience
My years in Youngers remind me so much of a white rose
A rose that symbolizes innocence and purity
My years in Bridge and Middles remind me of a yellow rose
Representing friendship and cheerfulness
And my last years that a I have spent in Olders remind me of the red rose
The strongest of them all representing love, passion, and courage
I have learned so much over these seven years
Layers of knowledge have wrapped my brain
Like the layers of crimson red petals wrap the center of the rose
This graduation is the rose finally blooming
New gates have been opened revealing a strange and beautiful new world
That I am ready to explore
I would love to thank those who have cared for and helped this flower flourish and grow to its greatest potential.
Dearest Audrey,
With our unconditional love, Mom and Dad Words from Beth Kahn and Paul Carpenter:
It has been wondrous to watch you grow from our little girl into the courageous, clever, confident young lady you have become during your years at PS1. You are caring and kind and you brighten the lives of those around you with your sparkling energy and keen sense of humor. You are generous and empathetic never hesitating to help someone in need.
We are amazed by your academic achievement and your inquisitive nature. On several occasions you have changed our minds with your logic and persuasiveness. You have touched our hearts with your poems.
You continue to impress us with your athletic prowess. When we see you perform your dance solo we are bewitched by your beauty and grace, bringing tears to our eyes.
You have forged friendships that will last forever. And you have learned to overcome obstacles with maturity, tenacity, honing the tools necessary to successfully meet future challenges.
We are so proud of you and we know you will have a happy life filled with caring friends and family. You fill our hearts and lives with joy and love. We look forward to all the amazing adventures yet to come and will cherish every moment along the way.
never interrupt which would make people lose their train of thought. You are really kind and thoughtful. You immediately help people who need it. You are always active and jumping around and running and playing in a way that makes everyone feel happy.
you helps them. You take care of others and always make sure people are having fun. You are fun and active and you like to play a lot. You are a great best friend. You are really good at gymnastics and singing and very creative.
clearly during our Class Gathering. You know how to speak to a big crowd. You meet the needs of your friends and you give me great ideas.. You know what to do and what not to do. You are a supportive upstander, an advocate for people and animals.
available by checking up on others and making sure they are happy. I appreciate how you are an advocate for all animals especially the cute and furry ones. You know a lot about video games and can keep up with conversations about them.
I’m feeling sad or angry, you make me laugh when I’m feeling down. You have amazing stories to tell and you make conversations fun! You are really smart AND a great learning partner. At math time, you make solving problems fun!
Audrey, you are so nice, I remember in blue when we played I don’t even remember and even though it was so long ago, we had fun. Audrey you make some subtle yet funny jokes and I think it’s pretty cool. Also you are really good at art and you are a great friend. I love to play handball with. You are so nice Audrey and very funny I like how you are always willing to participate in everything even if you might not like it. Audrey, you are such a good dancer. You are so kind to everyone you meet. You are so bright and you light up the room! You are very determined and that was shown during the practice for Shakespeare. You also are a kind person and I have always seen you being kind to everybody. You also work hard for anything that you do.One time you showed me your art and I was so amazed by it… you’re such an amazing person. I love seeing your art it’s really good. And I love sitting with you at lunch and talking to you.You are so nice Audrey and very funny I like how you are always willing to participate in everything even if you might not like it. Thank you for a great year
2022-2023
You always cheer me up when I’m upset about something and you always make sure that I’m okay. I love talking to you about just random things because you know so much. I had such a fun time building our geo dome during studio even though it was a bit hard. Audrey you are a very self-reflective individual, you always give everything a try and like to try out new things. I appreciate how you stand up for yourself and how you are not afraid to back down from any situation. You make my life happier and more interesting by just being yourself.
Words from Julie-Alice
It all starts with an acorn, which represents my first year at PS1. Learning the alphabet, counting on my fingers, meeting my friends,and learning how to do the monkey bars. My second year, the sapling emerges from the soil. Making new friends again because some of my old friends had moved up to Bridge, adding and subtracting in my mathematical toolbelt, my spelling improving bit by bit.
The sapling becomes more mature. My third year was filled with making ice cream, learning about gravity and taking a trip to Knotts Berry Farm. Being in the Bridge Cluster was a big change fromYoungers, Green Class was more mature. Green meant climbing up the stairs to get to class, Bridge had different teachers,lined pieces of paper and writing in between the margins.
As the tree becomes more mature, leaves start getting bigger and bark starts to appear. Moving into the Middles Cluster was hard because I was one of the only from my group who moved up to middles. The Middles Cluster had more students. But the biggest change was moving home because of the pandemic and doing school there, and starting multiplication, and learning about the Chumash. In Indigo we welcomed a new teacher, and read Esperanza Rising. February 2021 came around and we finally were let back on campus. Our class was split into sections. The halves of the class went to campus on alternate days, while the other half was on zoom. Slowly but surely the whole class came together on campus. I used to be able to see my friends’ faces but I could only see half of their faces, their smiles were covered by masks. As the year ended, I could not believe that I was going to be in fifth grade next year.
My tree continued to grow but was still very small. In fifth grade my passion for the Percy Jackson book series spread around the classroom like butter being spread on bread. I still clearly remember that I thought that my teachers taught us ancient Greek history because half of the class was obsessed with Percy Jackson, which was in a sense, Greek mythology and Greek history. But this year I was in the closet looking for a broom. Instead I found a chart with a schedule of the clusters and on the chart said “Olders year 2 ANCIENT History.” It was planned all along! Shakespeare started to appear in the schedule. My last year at PS1 has been filled with writing poetry, writing biographies, learning about the colonial times, and learning the periodic table and performing Shakespeare.
I have always had an idea of the oak tree that holds memories, but now I think the oak tree grows a leaf for each student on their moving up day. I want to thank my parents for encouraging me through the hard times , and the staff on campus that have helped me through the course of my seven years. I want to thank all my friends for making me cry, laugh so hard that I cried, and supporting my interest in Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, Famous Five, and Keeper of the Lost Cities: mom please just notice those are all books. My tree will continue growing and moving on at Brentwood. But like I said before, my tree is still very small because I still have much more to learn and to do. Thank you PS1 for preparing me for the years to come.
When asked to describe yourself with one word, you chose the word fountain. A fountain symbolizes “life, truth, change and water”. It is so appropriate. You are a source of sparkling joy, a refreshing personality with ripple effects on your surroundings and you are your parents’ fountain of youth! You embrace change in a thoughtful way, you have a strong feeling of righteousness and you love the water! No word can better describe you.
Words from Elizabeth
Your last year at PS1 has been the icing on the cake and you have shown your true social and joyful character by creating a panda PJ friend group with the Olders 5 grad girls. AtChristmas, you decided to extend our yearly little gift-giving exchange circle to a larger group and included all the grad girls in your class. Every girl was given the same PJ pants with a panda print, but somehow you felt it wasn’t enough to wrap a gift for under a tree. After careful thought, you changed it into something more fun and you extended an invitation to all the Olders 5 grad girls to come to our house for a ‘panda sleepover’. And sure enough, all nine girls joined us at our house and it became an unforgettable experience. It was joyful, sparkling, and it initiated a change from the little holiday gift giving custom we had. The ripple effect of that first panda sleepover you created in January 2023 has been fantastic and the panda PJ’s have been worn on many occasions since.
We are very proud of how you crafted a clear space in your community at PS1. We are proud of you being you, and the joy you bring us every day. We hope that you will continue to be a fountain wherever you go.
2016-2017
You are always a happy girl who likes playing games. You never say bad words, only friendly things. You never say mean things like “You can’t play.” You are polite, like if someone accidentally goes in your spot, you make space for them and say, “Can you scooch over?” You always have a really sweet smile on and when someone makes a mistake you laugh in a careful way.
2017-2018
You are kind, when someone gets hurt you take them to the office and you stay with them. We like you because you are fun and funny. You are the nicest friend in the world. You make me feel like I have a bunch of support from her.
2018-2019
You are an upstander when anyone is being left out. You always help me feel better by comforting and playing with me when I am sad. You are awesome at tag games and always a good sport about them. You have creative jokes. You are a thoughtfully nice person. Your passion for horses is contagious. You are athletic and fearless. You are helpful and always know what to do. You are super fun and a great friend.
2019-2020
You are always so kind and caring. You are a great friend to have thank you for your love, thoughtfulness and more. You always lighten the mood and you always are cleaning up even if it’s not your mess! You are a great violet citizen. You are super-duper kind and I am sad that I won’t be able to be in your class next year. You are so thoughtful. You are very helpful and kind. Remember when I accidentally hit you in the head with a pencil? I am so sorry but I was surprised that you didn’t get mad.
2020-2021
You are very funny and you make me laugh even when you just say one word. You are kind, calm, and helpful and you are very good at standing up for yourself and others. You are really confident. You help me when I am stuck. You are a great partner because you never get distracted and know what to do. You are creative and always share your ideas. You are a great classmate and friend. In math you always make a good point and help everyone understand it.
2021-2022
Julie-Alice, you are great at playing handball, basketball, four square poison, baseball, tennis, and badminton I always look up to you. You are an independent and inspiring kid you are great at math. Julie Alice, you are so nice and you like Percy Jackson, one of my favorite books, and when I talked to you about it I was so interested. You are also really good at writing- when I heard your personal narrative it was so cool. Julie-Alice, you are really nice. It is so nice great being at a table with you because you are always in a very calm mood so you are very approachable. You are super calm. Julie Alice you are so nice and funny. I also think you participate in a lot of things. You also did a good dead Julius Caesar for Grandparents and Special Friends Day. You are so kind, supportive, and honest you are always there when I need it. I love your passion for animals and how you are always available to talk about horses. I will never forget when we “borrowed” your neighbor’s cat. To JuJu! I just love everything about you! You are so kind, thoughtful, and awesome. You are also so good at making surprise fizzies for our bath bombs! You are also so fun to play handball and poison with! I really wish we can be together next year!
2022-2023
You are always focused, though you have a good sense of humor. You always work hard, but are willing to listen to other people’s opinions. You are so kind, hilarious, and thoughtful. I feel so lucky to be your friend! I appreciate your willingness to work with anyone and how you will put your best into that. You inspire me so much with the amount of courage you have and how you are always open to try new things! It was so fun when you got me into reading Percy Jackson– Thanks to you I found my favorite book series. You are an amazing friend and always have my back. I know I can go to you when I feel down and you will cheer me right up. You are so cheerful and energetic and you always seem to put me in a good mood. You’re so fun and spirited and I love being your friend.
I came to PS1 in first grade after a year at Roosevelt. Although I did not remember a lot about my time in Red Class, one thing that I will remember is the friends I made. Red class is the place where I created friendships and had a whole lot of fun. Another thing that I remembered is playing handball with all of my friends.
Green Class was one of my favorite classes. I had an interesting experience on a camping trip. The day of the camping trip I was excited but scared. Me and my friends were hiking in the creek and had a great time. But after a few hours I left. I was so scared, I was home sick. But the day everybody came back and told me what I missed out on I instantly regretted it. But now as I am writing this I realized you can’t live in regret.
In Blue Class we made volcanoes in science that were so successful the lava spilled from the top floor to the bottom floor. Not only did I learn about volcanoes, I learned to clean up after an experiment. Even though I got my finger cut in the process of building the volcano I sure still did have a ton of fun. Blue Class is the place where I loved experiments and building new things.
Once the pandemic hit, we all went on zoom but I was only on for two weeks because I could not stand it. So me and my friend got homeschooled. Luckily, I kept up on my studies, so I could surf in the afternoon. Although a lot of people did not have fun during the pandemic I did. I loved creating artwork and working on my pickle ball skills with my friends and family. I loved surfing and it taught me a lot about the ocean and the outdoors.
As I started Olders at first I was unsure about coming back to campus: Getting tested every week, having to wear a mask and not being able to see the other Olders class was challenging. I started to feel better about it and found my place and played a lot of football.
The start of sixth grade was not as promising because all my friends who were in the sixth grade left to go to new schools. But I met new people and started to feel more comfortable and had more fun. As I look back at my time at PS1 I have realized I have come a long way and grown a lot.
There are a few people that I would like to thank. I would like to thank my parents Kim and Marco DeGeorge for always being there for me no matter how good or bad I played, my siblings Faye, Max and Henry for always playing with me, my friends, and last but not least myself for always working when it mattered and pushing on no matter how much it hurt.
Rocco! We are so proud of you. You are an amazing son, friend, brother, and all-around human. Every new baby that came into our home was so loved by you. We had a hard time getting a turn to hold them. Your compassion for others, the earth and animals is so inspiring.
When you were little, we would walk around the neighborhood doing trash pickups in an electric jeep with you and Henry. This was your idea! Whenyou were three years old and found out the salmon you were eating used to be alive, you were an instant vegetarian and have never looked back. When you put your mind to something there’s no stopping you. This will take you far we have no doubt. You have grit and dedication. Right now, it’s baseball. You decided you wanted to play and you put in the time and practice and practice and practice and wow, has it paid off. This sort of dedication, to whatever it may be in the future will take you far. We are here to support you whatever path you choose, and again, we couldn’t be more Proud.
Love,
team DeGeorge2022-2023
2021-2022
2017-2018
Thank you for playing one touch with me. You are silly because you say silly words. You are really good at soccer and you play fair. You are strong at kicking a soccer ball and you can move fast at structure tag. At baseball when you hit the ball with the bat, you hit really good. You are a good friend because you help me with recycled art. You are strong.
2018-2019
You are funny, you are always telling jokes and doing humorous things. You are kind and flexible; you are willing to play any sport. You love basketball and are great at helping others learn to shoot baskets. You are cooperative and helpful, you’re a good person to have on a team or when doing group work. You are a loyal friend. You teach great Minecraft tips and are generally awesome. You are a good buddy to have!
2019-2020
You can make anyone laugh with your jokes. During PE, you pass the soccer ball to both boys and girls. You make a great goalie in soccer because of your skills and focus. It was great making a volcano with you because you are so helpful and friendly. You have a kind heart and think of helping others.
you bring your best self to whatever you do and I really enjoy working together with you in class. Your comedy is outstanding and you are also very good at art. You really love sports, which is something we have in common. I enjoy competing with you in all kinds of different sports, but football especially. You always catch the ball in the end zone and score a touchdown. I also like how passionate you are about what you do and how you care for your friends. I can also tell that you care a lot about animals and the earth. That comes across in your stories about Costa Rica. You are a very amazing surfer. And very good at instructing how to surf too. You are such a great friend.
You always have so much energy to bring to the room and you’re super fun to be on a team with during PE. We always have the most interesting conversations. Every day you make me and everyone around you laugh. Every time we talk I learn something new about you and about others perspectives. You are also an amazing baseball player and a great athlete overall. An amazing actor who I learn so much from, you are teaching me new things every day. I admire your sense of fashion and determination. You are a kind person and an extremely incredible big brother. I am so so so thankful to have you in my life. You are competitive (in a good way) and good at sports.
Words from Elisa A. Egner:
Being here, on the stage, under the oak tree, at this school that I’ve learned to call my own. It’s bittersweet, like the cold waves crashing against the sand only to be pulled back into the ocean. Forming in the middle of the sea and finding their way to the shore.
My wave began to form the moment I walked through the gates seeing the bubbles and feeling almost lost at sea. As the year went on, and we learned about shapes, my wave took shape. I was having lots of fun. I was moving forward with my wave. But everyone’s classes are all different, just as waves are all different. Mine definitely was because suddenly my wave began unexpectedly drifting off course.
I was going straight to Green for first grade. Everything changed so quickly and right after it started. Would I make friends in a new class? But it just made my wave stronger, with the material I learned, but also the friendships that I gained that I wouldn’t have under different circumstances. The year after that, my wave kept picking up speed and was just rolling through the ocean. I felt like I was thriving. And then, lockdown happened and my wave came crashing down.
I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was going to school through my computer and I was wondering when I’d be back at school or if everything would be the same, or if I would be the same. I started the fourth grade staring at a screen, with nothing really being there, nothing feeling real. My wave starting to lose strength.
When we finally got back to school I didn’t get to see the front gates or bubbles, but after a year of staring through a screen everything was real again and I could see my friends. The next year was different. Different from all the rest.
Again my wave started to gain more strength and speed. No more fanfare, no bubbles, no count down for running or barely shuffling through the big gates. Just going in and sitting down. As the year continued, so did my wave. Slowly things started to go back to normal or maybe I just adopted a new normal.
Now, this year. My wave saw the sand and I started to see the end. My wave was going strong and fast. Everything was great even though this year had challenges. It was amazing and one of my favorite years here. I have strengthened my friendships and made new ones that will last forever. I’m so happy that I got to spend this year with some of my best friends. And as this year ends, my wave drifts back to sea.
Thank you to my parents for everything they have done for me. I’m so grateful for my entire family. I hope my brother, Sam, will have as amazing a time as I have had. I have had the best experience here and I will always remember and treasure every single detail. Even though my wave is floating back into the ocean, soon there will be another. And I cannot wait to see where it takes me.
Words from Rosalia Ibarrola and Michael Egner:
Elisa, we are so proud of you! You’ve come so far since kindergarten, and we are grateful to get to spend every day with the amazing person you’ve become. You are an incredible singer and actor, and we can’t wait to see what you do in middle school theater and beyond. You are a thoughtful writer and have a wonderful appetite for learning new things. You’re a loyal friend, a kind daughter and granddaughter, a supportive and patient big sister, an enthusiastic travel companion, a talented baker, a hardworking student…and you do it all with a great sense of humor and without ever forgetting who you are or what is the right thing to do. Every minute with you makes us better parents and better people (especially for the one of us who isn’t already perfect)! Congratulations on a well-earned celebration as you finish elementary school, and we hope every year ahead gets better and better. Love you always!!!
-Mom & Dadamazing and confident per former. You are such a good dancer because you learn quickly and you follow the steps. You were really brave during our circle time when you sang your solo. You are an amazing citi block builder because you make elaborate buildings and are so patient.
when I’m stuck. You are good at writing and make magic with every word. You are so talented at the monkey bars because you can hold on for sooooo long. You have a good imagination when we play games at recess. I love your dresses and seeing what you are wearing every day.
make a good example of your self for everybody else. You are playful, nice, inclusive, and a good buddy. You stay calm no matter what, you don’t let people rile you up. Elisa, you are very adaptable and are a sweet person. You are a good friend to have. You are super considerate.
You’re nice to everyone and very inclusive. You are so enthusiastic and you never give up. One of the things I miss with you. You notice things about the words that I never would, and your unique point of view makes you so fun to talk to!! It’s so much fun being in the same table spot with you. You are so funny. You never let anyone down we always have fun. Keep up the good work.
2020-2021
It’s really fun playing in the bamboo forest with you. I enjoy hiding there during ball tag. It was fun learning that you liked Minecraft over zoom. I didn’t realize you liked it! You are so good at finding ways to get away from the taggers and you’re fun too. I always like to sit with you for lunch. We always wait for each other to finish eating and it makes me feel good inside. You are a very good friend. When we were playing math battleship, I didn’t get it at first. Once you explained it, I got it! It was so fun to play with you.
2021-2022
Elisa, I appreciate your considerate personality. It was a pleasure doing activities and assignments in class with you for your calm, agreeable work ethic. You are so passionate about theater and singing. You learn very quickly and you are so nice to me. You are so bright and energetic and I hope you keep your positive attitude. You have such organization and time management skills that I am still trying to learn. Whenever you’re doing anything, you’re thinking it over and ensuring it’s always kind, supportive, and reflective of who you are. You are unapologetic about your thoughtfulness, a quality I look up to immeasurably! I’m overjoyed to have gotten to reconnect with you this year and hope to stay friends with you. Thank you for your thoughtful, considerate, optimistic personality!
2022-2023
You are never unkind to anybody. Ever. If you accidentally hurt someone or make someone feel bad, you always apologize. It is really nice. My hope is that I will continue being friends with you after you leave PS1 because I feel that not having a friend as pure, kind, respectful, and helpful as you would take a toll on my happiness. You always brighten the room and always make sure everyone is included. You are also amazing at tennis and have such dedication to all your school work. I appreciate how you always take the environment around you into consideration. You’re very intelligent and super kind. I remember when I was at your table we had the most interesting conversations and you were a great partner to work with.
Words from Olivia Fite:
A handstand. The feeling of being upside down. Your arms holding up your whole body. A way to learn balance.
I look at my journey at PS1 like a handstand. You start a handstand by preparing. Just like my first day of school. Getting ready to make friends and start a new journey. The second step is getting in position. Learning my way around campus and how to get to where I need to be, just like a handstand. You then go upside down feeling strong as you start the handstand. Going to blue class, I felt good and ready to meet my new teachers and new people that would soon be new friends. Blue class was a good place where I came out of my shell and forgot my shy and scared self. While upside down in a handstand it can sometimes feel hard when your arms slowly get weak from holding yourself up, but you know you’re almost done.
Going into the Violet class was so fun because it meant going into Middles, but it was a struggle to spend school over Zoom. It was hard to realize that school was different coming out of covid and adjusting was not fun either. But being with friends turned that around. Lastly you are in the handstand struggling to stay up, but you know you are ready to come down and land your handstand, but don’t forget to pose. Going to Olders was when I realized PS1 was almost done. I spent my last two years getting ready to take my next steps and start a new journey.
I want to thank my Dad for always going to the back of the pickup line so that I could play longer, and thank you, mom, for putting up with 30 outfit changes every morning. I will always remember all the great times that PS1 has given me and I know this special place will always be a part of me.
Words from Taura Mizrahi-Fite and Scott Fite:
On that first day at PS1 with the kids crowding the gate, waiting for it to open amidst a shower of bubbles, you stood, excited but nervous, back from the crowd with your little hands pressed into ours. The natural observer that you are, you wanted to take it all in, present, but on the sidelines. What a different scenario this year as you clamored at the front of brown gate with all your friends excited to burst through!
You have grown so much in your seven years at PS1. We have watched you blossom from a curious young child to a strong, thoughtful, and kind leader. Your talents are many, from your natural athleticism to your creative endeavors. You look at things from a different perspective like the time you were in red class and asked, “did you know that art is math?” after a drawing exercise.
As a friend, you are inclusive, kind, and playful. You’ve had mature conversations with friends that dive to the heart of the matter in a way that many adults don’t know how to do. You accept all people for who they are and understand that everyone’s opinion is valued and important. You make others feel special.
And then there are the laughs….the laughs that you cause and the laughs that you give. You have made us roll with laughter with some of your pranks from the teddy bear prank to the time you hid the sunglasses in daddy’s suitcase for months. Well played, Olivia! There is nothing more heartwarming than hearing you laugh uncontrollably. Some of the best times are when we laugh so hard that we can’t breathe!
Now you are making big choices in your life. As we went through middle school applications with you, we saw firsthand your deep understanding of yourself as a person. It was inspiring to see you navigate through each phase. You were able to articulate your needs and interests, and you handled the entire process with maturity. You know who you are.
We know you will do amazing things in this next chapter. Your perseverance, whether it’s mastering the monkey bars or nailing your first aerial, always gets you through. We will be here with you every step of the way cheering your successes and helping you back up when you fall. We love you so, so much and couldn’t be prouder of you. And no matter what, you will always be our Via Cool!
Love always, Mommy and Daddy
Olivia is: Original Loving Intelligent Vibrant Inquisitive Awesome!
2016-2017
You run very fast and you are really good on the monkey bars. You behave on the rug. You are really nice. You are such a kind person in our classroom and you are very generous and kind. You are honest.
2017-2018
You are a good girl. You are the best kid in our class. You are good at skateboard tricks and you always finish your work. You are so funny, loving and beautiful. I like doing cartwheels with you. You are a great artist and you are good at soccer. You are a good friend because you respect everyone and you. You never exclude anyone. I can’t wait to do self-defense with you.
“You were born an original, don’t die a copy. ” - Murdoc Niccals
”Often when you thinkyou’re at the end ofsomething,you’re at thebeginning of something else. ” - Mister Rogers
Hello I’m Mays I’m going to tell my story or more adequately the prologue because my journey has only just begun. Life is like making art, unpredictable and fun but sometimes stressful, not only that both are filled with trial and error. I started off with a sketch. I didn’t quite know who I wanted to be but still had vague aspirations. In my first year I started from scratch, I had no friends nor did I know many teachers. However a year later I refined my sketch building relationships with teachers and making friendships that have stuck with me all this time.
The next year I solidified my sketch in ink and became an individual. One particular memory I have from that time is being called by my first and last name. The next year changed everything, it felt like I was back to the drawing board once again however this chapter of my life did have its merits. I had to find new ways to communicate with my friends and kin. However the biggest change was my drastic shift in interests. I started expressing myself through pictures refining not only my motor skills but a new way of seeing the world. Though I restarted I still kept many aspects of the first draft which looking back on it embodies trial and error.
Finally this transformative period of my life ended. The moment I walked into school I was more confident than ever. I decided it was time to add a splash of color to my outline. I continued to expand on my newfound passion refining my skills and dove deeper into discovering who I was and who I wanted to be. At this point there was an election and I took this time to educate myself and develop my own opinions on what’s going on in the world. I wanted to expose myself to important events at the time and to not be out of touch. However the experience that was integral was not being able to connect with relatives. This taught me to never take anything for granted no matter what. Nevertheless, just like any art piece there is always room for improvement. Nobody is perfect but if we try to be the best version of ourselves that’s enough.
I would like to thank my parents for investing in a great education and supporting me along with my endeavors. I would also like to thank my teachers who have taught me valuable lessons that I will never forget.
Words from Tannaz
Dad finally accepts that playing centerfield for the Yankees isn’t your dream (too). Yet the journey you’ve mapped out for yourself may be even more challenging: a life and career as a visual artist. So, we’d like to offer the following thoughts:
- Be gracious and patient with anyone who doesn’t share your taste. Concession: “bad” taste does exist (and people with it, while well meaning, don’t realize they have it). But this can be “eye of the beholder” territory and don’t be too quick to judge. Maybe they are seeing something you are not.
- Which means — revelations can come from unexpected places. Close-mindedness is the enemy of invention and innovation. One day you’ll experience Rothko in a dimly lighted room and understand all the fuss.
- Vermeer wasn’t famous during his lifetime. Nor Van Gogh. Play the long game. You may be ahead of your time. But to a point. Don’t wait to cultivate admirers, patrons, and collectors.
- Quality over quantity. (Vermeer, again.)
- You may be your harshest critic. Which is good. But consider, very strongly, recycling.
A small miracle (to us) is how you discovered, and then burnished and refined, your artistic skills: you turned COVID-imposed solitude into an opportunity to draw, draw, and then draw some more. With determination and nearly incalculable patience. The interregnum between “before COVID” and then (mostly) thereafter was not time lost. You discovered your passion. “When life gives you lemons…” With emotional fortitude and the strength of your own convictions. All on your own. Without encouragement. And we couldn’t be prouder.
The baseball glove we bought for you may now hang unused as an artifact. But maybe one day you’ll excavate it from the bottom of some trunk filled with keepsakes in order to play catch with your son or daughter. And after overcoming their surprise that their “artsy” dad actually has a wicked arm, they may become very serious about the sport; and you may eventually find yourself inviting their grandparents to join you at opening day at Yankee Stadium to see the new phenom, your child, take over at centerfield.
But hey – no pressure.
We love you, Mom + Dad
2016-2017
You are good at soccer and one touch because you play fair and whenever your team scores a goal you are a good sport. You are cute and a very kind person. Whenever someone’s feelings are hurt, you are nice to them. You always listen to other people. You made an amazing tall tower by yourself. You are really fast.
You are super funny because you are full of jokes. Sometimes I see you practicing at basketball and I think you’re really good. You are a fair kickball player. You know the rules and never cheat. You are a kind and thoughtful friend. I always see you take turns with people. I’m your reading partner and can hear you reading during Readers’ Workshop. You are a great reader. You sometimes help me with things I don’t understand.
2018-2019
You are so skilled in sports. You know so much about physics and can explain it. You are so helpful in explaining math material to others. You have a good eye when it comes to playing baseball. You have been a trusted friend to me over 3 years and I enjoy having memories with you. You are so nice to many people.
2019-2020
You are full of new ideas, and always share them with us. I enjoy listening to your favorite music and stories in Music class. You know how to share new facts, and I like when you make me laugh. You care when other people feel upset or sad about something. You are a good friend, and I enjoy playing video games with you, and talking about it.
2020-2021
You’re always really kind. When we’re working on a project together, you listen to my ideas and have some great ideas of your own. You’ve been an awesome friend. Whenever we play a game together, you always say good game and you never get mad (even if you don’t do as well as you’d like). You are a great soccer player and always make an impact. You are really funny. You make me laugh so hard when you say jokes (and you say a lot of jokes!)
Mays- You are a great animation drawer and are awesome at baseball and handball. You are an awesome friend. This is my fifth year being in your class and I’m glad I know you because you are a good singer and great at playing the guitar. Mays, you are really fun to hang out with and you are always in a good mood. It is fun to talk with you because you talk about such interesting things. Mays, you are so good at art and love seeing your new art. I like how you are so determined to be a great artist. You are so kind and willing to try new things. I think you’re really cool and I have a lot of respect for you. You’re also so good at art like when we made the Greek time line your drawing is one of the highlights of the timeline.
You are also very funny. Mays, before this year, I hadn’t really met you, but now that I have talked to you a bit I realize you are very passionate about what interests you. You are a generally chill person. You are amazing at art and I never cease to be impressed. I’m glad to be friends with you. Mays. Where should I begin? You have so many amazing qualities! You are so kind, amazing, and good at drawing! I loved being in class with you this year and playing OG handball! I hope that we can be in class together next year.
2022-2023
You always throw your heart into everything that you do and that is what makes you such a hard worker. I admire how you can always stick with your goals and do everything in your power to accomplish them. You can defend anything and always stand your ground. When practicing Shakespeare you add so much emotion to your lines! You are one of the most passionate people I have ever met. I appreciate how hard you work and how you will try anything. You are on the top of my list of people to work with because of these traits and how you can always find a way to make my work better. You aren’t afraid to not go along with what other people say. You stand up for yourself and others. You are always filled with a lot of ideas in your head. In class you always raise your hand waiting to answer the question with so much detail. You are also always really calm and have great sportsmanship as well. I love how you include everyone that wants to play whatever you are doing.
Rory Glimore once said ‘I live in two worlds, a world of books and a world of people.’ I couldn’t agree more.
PS1 has let me explore my love of books, from traveling through time with Annie and Jack to caretaking CivilWarLand with Mr. Alsuga, this school has expanded my horizons of literature and has made me a shameless and a constant reader. I am an indefatigable believer that this school has led me to become the educated and empathetic person that I am today.
The second world I live in, is the world less magical but equally as fantastic. This world filled with people has also helped me become who I am today. My teachers are role models that I will look up to forever, they have pushed me, endlessly to achieve my best and I have created impenetrable bonds with them.
Even though I would take the past 7 years with me, I’ve learned to break it down to what it truly was, 166,924,800 seconds of happiness and to take the best along with me for the rest of my life. Saying goodbye is hard but in the wise words of Taylor Swift ‘Decide what is yours to hold, and let the rest go. Oftentimes, the good things in your life are lighter anyway.’
Words from David Schumacher and Yvonne Hsieh:
Before we congratulate you on your impressive journey, let us be honest with our anxiety writing a tribute to you. It became clear a few years ago that you are the most gifted writer in the family so please be kind with your critiques…
Where do we begin? With your intelligent sense of humor, say of a PhD level? With your ability to sort out your family’s irrational arguments? Your sense of direction, knowing when someone has made a wrong turn before they do? Soccer, ballet, synchronized swimming, possibly water polo (i.e. your obvious grace, balance and athleticism)? Perhaps your sleuthing when playing Mah Jong or Splendor? So much to choose from, a smorgasbord of talents. All of this while being your biggest critic, maybe a secret worrier, putting up a very cool exterior to cover up the very natural fears and concerns.
We want to wrap our arms around you, hug you with all our love, and tell you yes, the world is scary sometimes but you got what it takes and you got us to back you up. We’ve learned from our own uncountable mistakes and unfortunately continue to learn again and again. We know you are better prepared than we ever were with a deeper, sharper set of tools. You got this.
You make us proud every day, testing our modesty when given the opportunity to brag to other parents about your awesomeness. We love you deeper than the ocean and wider than the sky and cannot wait to watch you grow and grow. Congratulations on your progress to date and may all your dreams come true.
All of our ❤, Dad, 媽媽 & Sonia
2022-2023
I love having you as a friend!
2016-2017
I like playing tag with you because you play fairly and that makes you a good friend. You change teams and try to find more people to make it work for everyone. Whenever I am sad and don’t have anyone to play with you include me. You are good at drawing and writing and you are always very fair. You are nice and fun to play with. You are brave enough to stand up for yourself.
2017-2018
You are kind to me because you like to do handstands and cartwheels with me during recess and you never get tired. You care about people and are ok letting other kids go first in games. I like being at your table because you always let me borrow your eraser when I need to. You make me feel better no matter what even if I am hurt or sad. You are a great reader in English and Chinese!
2018-2019
You always play fair in games and in soccer. You are a nice friend, you are a kind and honest person. You always help people out in class, like when I was trying to do a cartwheel you give good advice. You are super athletic; you are good at gymnastics and the monkey bars. You have a good sense of humor in every situation, you always keep things fun. You are amazingly nice.
2019-2020
You have made all our PS1 years so amazing. You are so easy to hang around with and are such a friendly, understanding, awesome friend because you never get mad at me and can always make me feel better by encouraging me. You are really smart and super good at math and come up with strategies. I don’t even understand. You pay attention in class and are good at everything we do. You are an astonishingly fast reader.
2020-2021
You’re a great classmate and you’re fun to collaborate with because you’re really kind and generous. You are such a great and supportive leader and are one of my smartest and most hard-working friends. Thank you for keeping me on task. You’re a great writer who can write long paragraphs quickly. I feel such a strong bond with you even though we’ve only been together for 2 years. P.S. I will give you a spoiler, you should watch out for where I hide the troll next. Hehe! You are really responsible and generous. I love how you are so independent.
2021-2022
You are the most supportive person I’ve met. I don’t know if you remember but the first time we met was when we were washing our hands at the little sink in the yellow classroom. I turned toward you and you turned towards me. As soon as we locked eye contact you asked me, “Do you want to be friends?” I was definitely into that idea.
I am so glad that we were able to become friends over our curiosity and perfectionism. I know that you can do anything that you put your mind to. You’re witty, smart and have a wicked sense of humor. You always make me laugh whether it’s at recess or when we’re cramming for a test. Thank you for being such an awesome friend.
You are a great partner in school, and outside of school. You have no fear and you just go for things. You are great at math and when people need help you have no hesitation to help them. You help me understand concepts in math that no one else can explain as well as you. You are also super good at soccer. I love being on your team. You did such a great job when you were goalie when the 6th grade girls played each other. You are outgoing and considerate, kind and thoughtful to your classmates. You always make people laugh with your sarcastic remarks and hilarious jokes. You also help everyone and make them feel appreciated. Whenever I’m around you I always smile. I could talk to you for hours about our random life problems. You are one of my closest friends, who I trust with my life.
"Life's short, talk fast. " - LorelaiGilmore
"Whateveryou do, alwaysgive 100%, unlessyou'regivingblood. " - BillMurray
"Justbeyourself, there is no one better. " - Taylor Swift
gaslight,gatekeep girlboss
Words from Dylan Harrison Hyun:
My years at PS1 were like a soccer game when you have to face different obstacles and challenges in order to accomplish a goal. My game started with a ringing bell and bubbles as I walked through the gate, across the field, and to my first class that would start my journey. As a player in this game, I had to decide if I wanted to strike toward the goal alone or work with the team, and like a flash a friend came up to me and I passed him the ball. It was going to be my first step to the long journey.
After taking my first steps of the game, I became more used to it. I started moving up the fielding, joining a new cluster. I passed the ball to more teammates, but while we’re about to score we got the ball stolen like when covid hit. My team and I were sent off the field for almost two years.
When the game started again, we got the ball back,and I started to push through even more. I went through another cluster like a flash and I’m hitting the end of my journey. My final few months at PS1 went really fast, but just like that I went through all the challenges and reached the end like I just scored.
So now I’m entering a new stage of the game. At the end of the year I learned to never give up, because facing challenges helps you have a better mindset and helps you grow. I’m looking forward to my new team and the next challenges I face.
Words from Vivian and Phillip Hyun:
On the Euclid yard of PS1, your journey began, With laughter and bubbles, hand in hand. Now the time has come, our dear son Dylan, As you spread your wings, your adventures have just begun.
You’ve made friends aplenty, cherished and true, With love in your heart, you welcomed them too. Your kindness and warmth, an inclusive embrace, Creating bonds that time cannot erase.
Your positive energy, a radiant beam, Drawing people close, like a sparkling stream. Your happy nature, a magnetic embrace, Bringing joy and laughter to any place. In Youngers’ class, a playful cue, Kids lined up outside your class, wanting to play with you.
Resilience, that is your secret strength, Facing challenges, no matter the length. With unwavering determination, you stride, Courageously facing what may betide.
Generosity flows from your soul so kind, A heart so giving, the most generous we find. Sharing your Pokémon cards, spreading joy around, A benevolent spirit, forever renowned.
Your love for food, curious of all cuisines, Exploring flavors, a palate so keen. Every bite savored, each dish a delight, From Citizen Sprouts to Michelin stars, a true culinary flight.
Hold dear to your friendships, both old and new, Embrace challenges, let your passions shine through. As you graduate from PS1, Dylan my dear, Embrace the unknown without any fear. Follow your dreams, reach for the sky, With resilience and kindness, you’ll surely fly.
With hearts full of love, we’ll forever cheer. In your endeavors, always be near. Congratulations, our shining star, May your future be brilliant, both near and far.
2020-2021
2021-2022
2022-2023
2016-2017
You’re a great friend. You make us laugh so hard. You are the best! You are so funny and cute. You are very super cute. All the kids think so. You are sweet because you didn’t get mad at me when I made a mistake. You were very creative when we worked on our science project together.
2017-2018
You are a good friend because you play with me and you play fair. You make everybody happy because you play very nice. You run fast and you are strong. I like when you play with us and think of fun games. You always speak in a kind voice and that makes me feel safe. I don’t know what we would do without you. I’ll be sad when you move up to Bridge.
2018-2019
I enjoy doing math with you because you make it fun. You make anything fun, even bottle flipping. You are so open to trying new things. I am glad to have you as a friend. You know so much about Pokemon and I enjoy trading cards with you. You are open to making new friends and doing things with others, even if it is not your favorite activity. You always try and never quit.
2019-2020
You are a really good soccer and basketball player. You’re such a nice friend because you play the Marvel Contest of Champions with me. You are a supportive friend, who is helpful whenever I need you. You are funny and always share funny jokes. I enjoy playing Roblox with. You are never afraid to ask for help, and you always try your best.
I like how you joke around a lot and try to lighten the mood, I also like how you include people and try to make things fair. You are very creative especially in writing. You are one of the best sports players in class and your sports skills are very impressive. You don’t play to compete, you play to have fun. You’re also really positive and never give up, plus since you never give up it means you try your hardest and that’s what matters. You are very imaginative in math, music and other subjects.
Dylan you have really good basketball skills and always make me laugh. When we are in music and you performed your tiny desk concert I thought it was cool. Dylan, you are really good at tennis and you are the best opponent I have faced and I strive to be better because of you. I also love how you have been my friend for so long and I have enjoyed the ride and look forward to more. Also you are really good at math and I find that cool. Dylan. Where do I start? You are so funny, kind and amazing! You have done so many epic and hilarious things and I will miss the humor and kindness you added to our class. I really hope that we can be in the same class next year, and that you can fill it with the same joy you did this year.
You’re kind, smart, funny, and caring. You have positive energy every day, and you say the most random things that always make me laugh. You’re great at really any sport and you’re not a sore loser. I always want you on the same soccer team as me, and you’re an especially good goalie. You’re the most fearless Older, and you’re like a father to me. You’re really good at math, and your little remarks and your small concerts at your table always make my day. It’s always fun to sit next to you at lunch because you have the best conversation starters. But the best of all is that you make me laugh. No matter what, I feel happier when I’m near you. Becoming closer friends with you this year taught me how inclusive and expressive you are, and I like how you’re kind to everyone in different ways.
When I took my first steps into PS1 I knew I was starting a new chapter in my life, but now it has come to an end and it is time to start a new one. I am so glad I came to PS1 because PS1 has taught me so many things I will never forget. They also gave me friends that I will always love.
I remember walking in on my first day, which was in April, so nervous and I remember walking out on my first day with 23 more friends and one birthday party invitation. Everyday at recces I’d go straight to the soccer field and start to play. It felt good to feel welcomed and not worried about what people would think of me. Given the little span of time I was here in my first year, you would have thought I would have not learned a lot but I did. I learned about the school and how to play cool instruments and I also learned how creative I could be. PS1 really expanded my brain to think outside the box and to be myself.
Starting my second year I remember some friends and I deciding who was going to walk in the classroom door first. Hint: I did not walk through the door first. This year I had met a lot of new people and I had new teachers. I quickly talked to the people at my table and learned cool facts about them. I finished writing the stuff on my paper and took a deep breath and said to myself “you’re inside the classroom, you did it!” because I was nervous i didn’t know most of the people from last year and I was getting stared at because I was considered the new girl which wasn’t a bad thing but it was a little awkward. The first week went past like a breeze and I started to get used to all of these new people. I would be P.E partners with them and I really found my way through the year.
Words from Michelle and Christopher Johnson: Words from Sloane Victoria Johnson:
My last and final year was the saddest because it was time for me to leave. But now that after all of the competitive P.E matches I think I am ready to be a professional athlete. I am excited to go to my next school and also sad I am leaving PS1. I am going to miss doing handstands with my friends and then falling on my back and crying laughing because it was so funny. I swear I blinked because somehow the year has come to an end and I get to walk out that door knowing I had the time of my life here. I have learned so much throughout my years at PS1 I am so grateful for all of my teachers who helped me along the way. Finally I want to thank my parents for helping me to get where I am today. I could have not done it without you. Thank you.
Our dearest Sloane,
What a thrill it is to be your parents. Your energy and passion light up any room, your sweet and kind heart is always open, and your commitment to the truth is admirable. We will miss listening to every single detail of the day as we drive down Santa Monica Blvd, ice-cream Fridays, Jamba Juice, and hang outs before soccer practice. We’ve enjoyed watching you flourish at PS1 and are so proud of the strong young woman you are becoming. Keep up that spirit and zest for life and always follow your dreams. We can’t wait for the next chapter!
Love you always and forever, Mom and Dad
2020-2021
You are so nice, it is so fun to talk to you. You always say hi to me when you see me around school. You are great at soccer, especially when you play goalie. It was really cool when you saved that amazing shot. You are also really encouraging. Even if I miss a shot, you support me! I love that you always seek me out as a partner in math. It makes me feel really included. You are so funny. You tell so many jokes at lunch that make me crack up.
2021-2022
Sloane. I haven’t known you for a long time but you are really nice and a really good soccer player. Remember the time when you scored the goal from across the soccer field? It was so cool. You are so kind and awesome and independent. Sloane you are so funny and so nice I can tell that a lot of people really like you. You’re also very energetic, smart and always happy. I am glad that you were in my class this year. Sloane you are a great friend to have. You are also super good at writing like when you wrote that Halloween story for your timed story. You are so nice to everyone and you are really good at basketball, tetherball and soccer you are also really funny and you never give up on anything. You are an amazing person and an even better friend. You are really smart and you showed me so many good books. I hope that you have another amazing year next year.
2022-2023
You are such an amazing friend you are so funny and such a bright person. You always are so inclusive in whatever you are doing. I love the brain you bring into class full of knowledge and emotion. You always are hard at whatever you do. I also love that you are always so confident in your opinions, you never once look back to regret what you want. Your energy is really fun to be around. You are a very kind and persevering person. I appreciate how much passion you put into everything you do and how dedicated you can be. You are very loyal and you will do anything to make someone feel better. You make me feel so good about myself, and you say the perfect stuff to me, you are always someone I can talk to.
SloaneJohnson
Ifyou can dream it , you can do it .
-Walt Disney I never lose, I either I win or I learn.
-Nelson Mandela
Words from Derien Taiki Kanashige
One of my favorite musicians once said, “Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” My journey at PS1 was one I will never forget.
It all started while I was waiting outside on my dad’s shoulders for the gates to open. Then suddenly everyone started rushing in to look at the bubbles falling from the bridge. In Youngers I made my first friend, started playing sports, learned my numbers and ABCs, had my DEAR time, but then I moved all the way up to the bridge. Here, I learned how to read, and played more sports. We had our first class pets, named Pickle and Avocado.
Then suddenly this thing called Covid hit and it hit like a nuclear bomb. We all gathered our stuff and went to zoom school? We had to stay home and do school in our house. It was a bit weird but we all got used to it. And then we went to Middles. We all slowly started getting back on campus, finally seeing our classmates’ legs. But in Middles everything got so much harder. We started writing these things called paragraphs and essays, read chapter books and we started long division!
In the blink of an eye, we were going to Olders. And here is where Covid was fully done. We learn about Greek mythology, geography, history, and tests. We finally had field trips, our Shakespeare plays, and a grad trip. And here I am, at my destination and the 7 year-journey has taught me so much. The journey has taught me that I am a team player. That people can count on me. I am up for a challenge and here to help. I am ready for the new journey that middle school will bring.
Words from Bridget and Terry Kanashige:
How can you be graduating from elementary school already? It feels like yesterday when we dressed you in a size 5 t-shirt and crocs and walked you to PS1, where your kindergarten teachers assured all the nervous parents that you’d all be OK.
Mom went to the classroom every Monday morning to stuff homework folders and we both went to read books for DEAR time just to be close to you and get a peek into your school day. While we were not watching you tried different school lunches (and settled on pizza every single day….), got mistaken for a girl (and got a haircut….) and met your first friends that weren’t introduced to you by us.
Despite our concerns, you did not just survive at school, but you flourished, and we eventually enrolled your little sister as well. We loved walking the two of you to school each morning and loved seeing you both running out of your classrooms at the end of the day even more.
Next fall you will be going to middle school. Those are going to be some truly amazing years. Not just because you’ll be outgrowing your sneakers faster or because parents aren’t supposed to hang out on campus or the hormones that will surely make you smelly and moody. You’ll play games other than Fortnite (maybe…) and you will probably want your own PC too. We will try to convince you that we can give you tips about social media and life, but we’re just old so what do we know?
All joking aside, middle school isn’t all pimples and drama. You’ll stay connected with your PS 1 friends but also make new friends and possibly be reunited with old friends. Maybe you’ll discover you are really good at something – coding, student council, animation, basketball or even debate – that might lead to a lifelong hobby or career. A cute girl might even ask you to be her boyfriend, and you will realize middle school is awesome!!!
Times are slightly different….our video games weren’t as fancy; we were lucky if we had a phone with a cord long enough to pull into our bedrooms and internet did not exist!!! But we have been there and done that, and we hope that the things we have talked about and the way we live our lives have rubbed off on you a little.
It is natural to be excited but nervous to be going to a new school, but we just want you to know that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. We know this because we have seen you thrive and make friends in every new environment…..and we know everything!!! And as long as you face new challenges head-on and try your best, we’ll always be proud of you.
Congrats on your graduation and we are really proud of the kind and considerate person you have become which we’re constantly reminded of by everyone. Unfortunately (or fortunately for you) we cannot join you in middle school, but we’ll always be there for you.
Love, Mama, and Papa
2016-2017
I like playing Dead Man with you. You are fast when you run. I like playing run touch with you. You are a good friend when you play with me because you are kind. We went to the fire station together. We had so much fun.
with you. I like playing kitties and robbers with you. Sometimes at recess you scream and I think that’s really funny. You are tough, just like me! You always include me in your games and I think that’s really kind. You are very good at math.
hat is really cool. It’s amazing that you know so much about hockey and have an awesome collection of cards that you always share. You are a very kind and funny friend. You are extremely trustworthy and honest. You are a loyal friend to have.
different games. You are a fantastic hockey player, and you know how to participate fairly in PE. You are my best friend, and you help me learn new moves and tricks in hockey. I enjoy watching you play sports because you are really committed.
really tough)! You are a great team captain and have great sportsmanship. You always make your teammates feel good about themselves when you play sports. You make them happy when they do well, and supported when they don’t.
You are an enthusiastic peer and a great sports player. You excel at hockey and I think that no one would hesitate to call you the best in the school. During sports you include everyone and you are energized in everything. It’s cool that you are so good at four-square, thanks for not getting me out! I enjoyed learning about Greek history with you as one of my groupmates.I think you are creative and smart. I loved your Human Body Theater performance - it was so funny but also super informative! Your acting is on point. Derien, you are a very loyal, friendly person who is very funny. You are goofy and make me laugh at all events with silly accents and how you move your body in a funny way. I am so glad we were in class together this year.
2022-2023
You’re the kindest and funniest person I’ve met. You’re so talented, unique, and caring. I love working in groups with you because you have great ideas and are very collaborative, and you are very fun to be around. Derien, You are hilarious, and you always know just the right way to make me laugh. I can remember so many funny memories that you were apart of. Whenever we are doing soccer, quidditch, or something like that, you show teamwork and passion. I like the way you deal with challenges. When we do Leadership PE, you are a great leader because you are clear and encouraging and enthusiastic. You have a positive energy and you are always participating, doing your best. At recess you are welcoming to everyone. I can tell that you care about your friends and you make sure that other people are okay too. These are just some qualities that make you so pleasant to be around.
When I walked into the gates of PS1 for the first time, I was blown away by the sheer size of the school. As I looked around, seeing all happy faces along with the bubbles blowing around, that’s an experience that you have to see to believe.
My first year in Youngers was great. It was a really unique experience that I ran right through with pride. Bridge cluster was so good, that soon learning became fun because I still remember when we made root beer floats, went to Knott’s Berry Farm, and made marble runs. And I still remember how all those things functioned. The reasons why I know those things are because I know my teachers were very careful, caring, kind, and patient.
But, sooner or later when I got into Middles, the tactical nuke hit with the name of Covid. About ten seconds into our Zoom calls, our teachers had to shut down the chat because people kept typing. Although Covid was bad, most of us survived the apocalypse.
Finally after the ice melted away from Middles, I began Olders. The moment I stepped into my classroom, I felt like a leader, a role model, because all my years at PS1 had led up to this moment. And from that day on I was a different person, from the way I walked to the way I talked. But the one thing that didn’t change was my past, where memories are stored and now, where memories are made.
Congratulations on 7 amazing years at PS1! We remember your first day. We waited right in front of the door on Euclid and you were enveloped by a swarm of students. We couldn’t get you out of the swarm; you braved it and were excited to go to PS1!
Your fantastic teachers created a safe and nurturing environment for you to always bring your authentic self. You had the checkered backpack and those infamous stars & stripes pants for a long run. When asked, “What are you going to be for Halloween?” You said, “I’m going to be Fred!” You tried to put your teacher to sleep by singing Frere Jacques to her. Your comedic timing in your first Circle Time performance ever brought down the house. In the following years, we watched you become more inquisitive, insightful, and excited about learning.
Mom was there as you landed and was a family support person on the ground. You were a frequent flier in her office and made a ritual of reading 3 pages of 14,000 things to Be Happy About. Then along came Eleanor and you became a source of support and comfort to her as she forged her own PS1 path. You became an anchor and model for her, especially through the DLCP, demonstrating what it was like to show up and participate (even though for her it looked more like forts and PJs). We will never forget when you had to present your recipe during a Class gathering on Zoom and you and mom fell off the bed laughing uncontrollably!
Throughout your time at PS1 you’ve developed into a person that values friendship and kindness. In the beginning it was collecting phone numbers on the yard and making simple play dates and now you pick up the phone and eagerly call your friends or open your Zoom room. Along the way you’ve worked diligently to be inclusive and make opportunities for classmates to connect especially through Covid Times.
It’s been wonderful watching your interests develop in the areas of: science (Balloons, Chemistry, test tube concoctions, etc.), aeronautics (All the Styrofoam A380s we’ve crashed), filming with the GoPro, bath bombs, gardening and your quest for the great pumpkin, and of course your love of reading. Your years of little league baseball, which began on a mostly All-PS1 Team, amassed some incredible career highlights–your amazing unassisted triple play in coach pitch; in later seasons, your in-the-park homerun and miraculous catches at 2nd Base/Right field.
It is a joy to see all the friendships you’ve made and the positive meaningful role you played in the community. We know you’ll continue to find projects that interest you and you won’t stop until they’ve been completed. You’re persistent, driven, fun, optimistic and confident. We wonder what your next big plan will be and know your response will be, “you’ll see!” You are our wonderful son and we are incredibly proud of you!!
Love, Mom, Dad, and Eleanor!
2021-2022
2016-2017
You did such a great job in our circle time teaching the audience about the social roles. You made me laugh when you said your lines. You are so funny. You share your toys with me. You are a great artist when you illustrate your stories during Writers’ Workshop. I love going to baseball practice with you because you make it more fun.
2017-2018
You tell super funny jokes and you always make everyone laugh. You are nice because you always play kick ball and other games with me. During our BK Yellow circle time, you did a great job with the reporter skit. I really liked your birthday circle. Your terrarium was really cool.
2018-2019
You are the kind of friend that I have been looking for. You are a good builder of stuff since you are so creative. You think outside the box and you are a grateful person. You have a good sense of humor and can be so playful. You are skilled at baseball and I like talking about it with you. You build people up when they need confidence.
2019-2020
You are a funny person that loves Minecraft. You are amazing at a variety of sports. I enjoyed being in your class this year because you always had some humor up your sleeve, some might even say you are the class clown. I enjoyed hearing your hypothesis in PBL. I like hearing your ideas when you are brainstorming fun things to do in aftercare. You are very imaginative and have a great YouTube channel.
2020-2021
You are so funny. I like the recesses where we planned our Fortnite strategy. You are a very fun and amazing person. I remember for a few days we would always meet on the spider web and have hysterical conversations. It was great talking to you. You are very fun to play with, I love playing Last One Left on Campus with you because you always make it fun even when it’s obvious someone will win. You are a great friend. I love working on our book, the “Turtle” with you.
Fred you are such an interesting person and I really admire how you are so interested in building stuff and technology. Fred, before this year, I never got to know you, but after being at a table and randomly talking to you for a while. I’ve gotten to know you better and think you are a really cool person with fascinating hobbies. Fred, I can’t believe you are only eleven, I thought you were like 60 or something! It’s because you’re so smart and wise and seem to know everything about everything. You are a good classmate and you are really good at speaking in public and you were great talking about the Ancient Greek History timeline. You are very kind to everyone. You are very determined in everything that you do. You are also very athletic and good at many sports. You are a hard worker which I have seen in practice for Shakespeare. Finally you are very curious and like to learn more about topics you enjoy.
2022-2023
I find it funny how you’re so eager to sell bath bombs, and making them is a really cool talent of yours. You’re really smart, and the way you solve problems in math is a totally different perspective from how I would see it. You have great big ideas that others would never come up with, and you know what you want - you express yourself well. You are so uproariouswhen you tell a joke it makes everyone crack up. You’re a really good friend and you’re a determined and sincere person who thinks about your classmates. You’re funny, cheerful, kind, and thoughtful, and you make sure that everyone in the class feels comfortable. You’re also a really good defender in every single sport - when you’re playing on a team, there are almost no shots on the goal thanks to you.
Words from Judah Krauss:
Instead of writing a traditional speech I decided to write a poem about my time at PS1. I hope you enjoy it.
In all my years at Ps1 I have had a lot of fun
It all starts when you walk in With bubbles flying everywhere
The bubbles make you feel at home
With big buildings and giant stones
You walk around, find your class, and then, you are, a new
Your first day is always weird
With tall kids and funny things
You quickly make new friends
But just as quickly you move on again
You go upstairs for the first time
Get trampled by the older kids
You walk to the class and realize, it’s brand new
New people new books new places to be
New feeling new land and a new view of the tree
You learn in different ways learning isn’t quite the same but it’s still fun
Then you move on right as you are done
you’re so close to your old home but its your home no more
You build a new community new friends and new teachers
You blink, you’re home you can’t go outside, can’t go to school only 7 months and you’re gone
At your own home on a computer no friends no teachers, no view of the tree
You start off rough
You cry you lie and you don’t learn
It feels like life has always been this way you start to forget but then you’re back for a few days, you start to learn and have fun again.
You finally move on you go to your last years
Your final home
You can’t possibly imagine the joy of learning for real again
Your old and new friends
All come together to create your own unique community
You laugh you cry and you have fun
The tree starts to get smaller and farther away
And then you realize it’s almost over
You make the most of your friends
Make brand new ones old or young
You start to think of a brand, new home
A completely different one
One with close to none of your old friends
It comes towards you like a freight train and the day finally arrives, this day
My last day at this home, my last day at PS1
Last day with the tree my teachers my friends and all the faculty
My time at this home ends today, right here right now but a new home always comes around
Thank you, everyone
I’d like to thank my family, my friends , and my extraordinary teachers that taught me everything, every single one of them. Although I’m leaving PS1 I will remember everyone that I met here and had fun with THANK YOU PS1.
Words from Abbi Hertz and David Krauss:
From the moment you were born, we have never changed the adjectives we use to describe you: caring, empathetic, and just nice. The way we have seen these qualities blossom over your 7 years at PS1 has been remarkable. I think even we have been surprised at the impact your education would have on these personal qualities of yours. Your world perspective is simply the right one. When you see things that are unjust or even a little bit fixable, you identify the problem and oftentimes, you have the solution too.
At school, never have we had a parent-teacher conference at PS1 where the words “joy” and “helpful” didn’t carry the conversation. We have always marveled at the uniqueness of a boy as young as 5 years old possessing these rare qualities. Now, at age 12, the qualities you entered PS1 with are the same ones with which you exit. You continually strive for happiness for yourself and others, and that you have identified that mission as the most important one in life is amazing. If your trend from age 5 to age 12 is any indication for the trajectory of the rest of your life, we are thrilled to be able to join you for the ride.
Here’s to the next 6 years at Crossroads and to all the years beyond. Cheers!
We love you, Mom & Dad
2017-2018
2016-2017
You are a good block artist. You play fun games and you are funny. You are a really nice and kind friend. I love you. You are my BFF. You are very funny when you pretend to be a ditto.
You are strong, fun and really nice. Thank you for playing with me. You are good at baseball, writing and you are always willing to help people. I know I can ask you for help because you always know what we are doing. You are a very good friend and you always play with me. You are really fast and you are good at the monkey bars. You are really good at soccer and being the goalie.
2018-2019
You really knew your lines during the Class Gathering and you were so proud of your work. You are so helpful and it makes me feel so special. Thank you for helping me stand up for myself. During Open House you were so inviting to our guests. You made sure to keep our classroom clean by picking up things.
You are always on the lookout for bias, reminding us to be inclusive. You will always let people play with you and you’ll always try to make people’s day the best it can be. It’s fun having you at my table because you have a unique point of view. You are a very helpful person and you are always filled with joyfulness You are so funny and you are always smiling remember that time when you beat me at Mario park and then I got mad and beat you. hehehehehehehehe You’re super nice and funny and it is fun talking about video games with you.
2020-2021
You are an amazing friend and very, very, very funny. Sitting with you at lunch is really entertaining and kind of hilarious. You are a supportive math partner and make solving problems really fun. You get most of my jokes. It makes me feel good because not everyone gets the ones you get. Whenever we’re playing soccer on the same team, you always give me good advice on where to go. You are really good at goalie. I remember one time you blocked three goals in a row.
2021-2022
Judah, you are nice and when we play I really enjoy it. Judah, I like being your table mate. You take great leadership opportunities and you are also supportive to your friends. You are a great classmate. I love having you in my class. Judah you are so funny and a lot of people like you. I enjoyed sitting with you at lunch this year because you make good jokes. Judah, I haven’t known you much before this year until one day you just came over and started talking to me. And, I have to say, I’m glad. I’ve had a good time getting to know you better this year and I hope you have a good sixth grade year. P.S. Those fried shrimp crackers are good. You are really helpful and are always ready to lend a hand. I like how you are a leader. And you are always nice. Judah I am impressed by your math skills. It’s fun to work with you at studio because it’s always so calm and chill and very fun to talk to you.
2022-2023
You’re so creative and such a great friend. You are kind and honest and a great person to talk to when I’m feeling down. Whenever we are partnered up you have such great ideas to add on to our project. You are a nice and kind passionate person who is good at art and I am happy to be your friend. You are so funny and nice, I like how you can always make me and everyone laugh. I love how you say your funny jokes at the right time and stay on track when we’re in class. You also always have great sportsmanship whether he wins or not. A great teammate and no matter if we win or lose I know you will say good game.
attractions.”“Yourimaginationisyourpreviewoflife’scoming
—Albert Einstein
Krauss
“Kid,you’llmove mountains.”
—Dr.Seus s
Words from Mara Krauss:
For those of you who know me, you know that I love soccer, and like one of my heroes, Mia Hamm, once said, “Failure happens all the time. It happens everyday in practice. What makes you better is how you react to it.” PS1 taught me that no one is a failure, everyone’s special.
As I entered through the gate I knew that this was the school for me, it made me feel unique. When I got to Orange class, I wouldn’t have thought I would make lifelong friendships with almost everyone there. As the ref blew the whistle for the game to begin, I got nervous. Luckily, there are the best coaches to help me win. After some shots on goal I went to blue, and I saw so many new faces. The score was 1-0, our coaches taught us to work as a team.
When I was in Middles, we were about to score, but covid hit. We were out for halftime. This year there was a new game plan, I didn’t know if I was ready. We were sent home and halftime felt a lot longer. Even though we were home our coaches made sure we stuck to the game plan. The score was 1-1, they scored.
After a year of not seeing each other we came back to school, we were on track to win because we stayed as a community, we finally had another shot, but this time we hit the crossbar. The score was 2-1, the other team scored. I didn’t know if I was ready for Olders, but I knew everyone would be there for me. I felt super accomplished that I had made it this far. The score was 2-2 because we all know each other so well. That year went by faster than any other. I also made the most friends I’ve ever had and I didn’t want it to end. I couldn’t believe that I was a grad. The score was still 2-2. The year ended. I will never know if the score is 2-2 or if we would win 3-2 because this is a happy, sad moment. But what I do know is it’s not over yet.
Words from Abbi Hertz and David Krauss:
Dear Mara,
When we reflect on the last 7 years, we marvel at the journey. You entered PS1 as a shy, quiet, reserved little girl. Today, you are mature, confident, and charismatic. Perhaps your best quality is that you know you. You know who you are and who you want to be, and you are undeterred in your mission. Your work ethic is almost scary…if you maintain your determination you can do anything you want. We have seen how your hard work has paid off in the classroom and on the soccer field, and we know you have learned the rewards of hard work.
The best part of your work ethic is the pride you take in all you do. We see that when you succeed, you not only enjoy the moment, but you are proud of yourself for getting yourself to the point when you do have a “win.” We have seen this quality motivate you to set goals for yourself, make a plan for accomplishing the goal, and then doing it. Seeing where this trait takes you will undoubtedly be one of the joys of our lives.
Did we mention you are also hilarious? We are so grateful for your humor, maturity and intelligence to balance your hard work. Being able to work hard and play hard is so vital to a happy life, and we see you embracing that philosophy. We can’t wait to see your continued growth at Archer. It’s going to be spectacular to watch!
Love you tons!
Mom & Dad2021-2022
I am appreciative of your wide array of soccer skills.
2022-2023
2016-2017
You play with people and you always treat them nicely. You have a lot of friends and you help a lot of people when they’re hurt. We always play together and whenever someone asks, “Can we play with you?” you always include them. That makes you so nice. You are funny and make people laugh so hard they fall out of their chair sometimes! You love a lot of sports. You are playful and a great athlete.
2017-2018
You always share with others and play soccer really well. You are super good at kickball and many other sports. Even if your team loses, you show good sportsmanship. You always says, “Good game!” You are so friendly, funny, cool and you include others. You like to play with all types of people.
2018-2019
You take pride in your work with lots of confidence. You speak with a confident and strong voice. You know what needs to be done and get it done. You are so nice to me in every way. You are a caring friend who looks after me. You are a creative storyteller and a great athlete too. I enjoy partnering up with you during goals because your ideas are so funny.
2019-2020
You are friendly, energetic and fast. You are so great at so many different sports. I like when all the boys said they were the best at soccer but then you beat them by like 10 points. I’m always challenged in the best of ways going against you! You start interesting conversations and you always make me laugh. You are not afraid to speak your mind and you are always willing to help others. You are enthusiastic and so talented.
2020-2021
Your athletic skills are very amazing and you are a good sport if you win or lose. You are fun, creative, and active. You always chat a lot and encourage other people. I never see you give up and you always try your hardest. You are a great leader in every subject. It was really funny making up “use hand sanitizer or else the ocean will run out”!! Remember when we were partners for that article about extinct animals that was so funny!!!! Thank you for being an amazing friend and “When the alligator comes to your house, and you can tell he doesn’t want a mouse, give him the bigger fraction!”
I am constantly impressed by new moves you make on the field as a fearless offensive or defensive player. You’re so humble and never brag, I think we can all learn from you. You show lots of leadership and passion in everything you do. You are so smart and I loved getting to be your math partner. Mara, you are such an understanding person and I can always lean on you and tell you anything. You are such a good listener and an amazing person to work with. There is never a time where I am not a time where I am not having fun with you. You can relate to almost everything I say and I just admire how much you go with the flow. Your take on the world inspires me to look at things in a different perspective.
You are so kind, confident, and respectful to everyone around you. You make sure the whole class feels supported and happy. You are always so accepting and proud of your religion. You are really kind and good at a lot of sports like soccer, dodgeball, and basketball. I really like how whenever you play a sport you don’t cheat and play fairly. I love hanging out with you and taking soccer lessons from you. You have one of the strongest shots in the whole school. I have valued our friendship from studying for math mastery to talking about Michigan football. I love how we can pass the football whenever and you are so free flowing. You never fail to make me laugh, whether it’s your sarcasm or your TikTok quotes, sometimes my stomach hurts so much because you make me laugh so much. You are such an amazing person. You are very smart and have a great personality. You are so cool.
My time at PS1 really changed me, it made me who I am. I remember the first day. Walking in, seeing all the staff blowing bubbles and the PS1 banner waving through the sky. I remember seeing them standing everywhere and all the kids around us. I remember being in Yellow playing with blocks and learning the basics. Then in Green we improved on what we knew and made friends. On the camping trip we slept in tents, made our own food, and did fun activities. In Blue our year was cut short by Covid and I became known as the kid who always wore pajamas on Zoom. The next year in online Indigo, they said no pajamas��.I can’t say it was because of me but I probably played a part in it. Then we got to go back to normal school and learn in those long white tents. If you know, you know. In Olders we mastered old skills and learned new ones. We did fun activities like book clubs, history, Shakespeare, and the Grad Trip. With specialists we played fun games like the parachute game in PE, painted and drew in Art, read and listened to stories in Library, made projects in Studio, and learned about music and acting in Music. I can’t think of it any other way. I can’t imagine going to any other school. PS1 we always hold a special place in my heart.
Words from CL and Paul Kumpata:
We are so proud of everything you have achieved during seven wonderful years at PS1. It’s hard to believe that the little kid who first started in BJ Yellow has turned into the amazing teenager in Olders 4 that you are at graduation today! We are grateful to all the fantastic teachers and staff that have been part of our journey at PS1, and really excited for all the new adventures that lay ahead in middle school. But what we are most proud of is that you have become a good,kind person, a valuable member of the school community and a loyal friend. We are sad to be leaving PS1, but we are excited about all the possibilities that lay ahead for you. We love you Marius, and we are SO proud of you!!!
Mom and Dad xoxoxo2021-2022
2022-2023
2016-2017
At lunch, you tell us funny jokes. You make us all laugh. I can’t believe that we went to preschool together and now we are at PS1. I love playing in the sand box. You have so much energy. When we play blocks, when I’m homeless, you let me stay in your house for a bit.
2017-2018
You are a talented violin player. You play the right notes on the right piece. You are very cooperative in violin class. You have a good sense of humor, you are always telling funny jokes and you make us laugh. I love watching you play at performances. You were a great Uncle Albert during our Mary Poppins play. You did a great job of standing on the risers and laughing in between your sentences.
You have a great imagination.
2018-2019
You are a fair and a nice friend who will play a game with you even if it is not your favorite. You are fun to play Minecraft with. You do funny body motions and you are loud in a good and silly way. You are a joy to spend time with and are a super dedicated Minecraft player. You make up innovative games that are extremely fun to play.
You have an enthusiastic and energetic nature.
2019-2020
You think about what others like and include them. You post great comments on the classroom stream and it makes us feel good. You were a helpful goals’ partner and made me feel supported. Your jokes really make you “Hilarious Marius”. You are a respectful and playful friend. I can always count on you being there for me.
2020-2021
I like how you are a team player and put other people’s needs before yours. You are amazing at kickball, quidditch, soccer and you have been a great friend like when you helped teach me giant simulator. You are really helpful in math and you have great ideas. It’s really fun being your partner and doing projects with you in science and social studies, because you are a great collaborator. Thank you for being my friend! You are so sweet, kind, and thoughtful. I think you are so, so, SO, amazing.
You are a nice, imaginative person.You are really good at reading and gaming while cracking hilarious jokes.You are also so good at math and you are very smart in so many other subjects as well. I like how you always want to hang out with me and help me with math when I get stuck. You are also a good person to talk to and you speak very eloquently. I like how you always stand up for what is right and what’s fair. You’re funny and I like how you are not afraid to say you were wrong or not afraid to share ideas. I really like how fair and understanding you are. I also love how good you are at team spirit. You are an amazing friend to me.
You’re so kind and generous. You always think about others and you help people up. You make sure they’re having a good time and you check in on people who seem down. I am glad that I was in your book club, and you’re so good in math and with Shakespeare - I love how you help me out in math, and you make a great Mechanical in the play! We’ve only been friends since last year but I feel like we’ve been friends for much longer - I’ve really enjoyed sharing passions with you and hope we can still hang out even though we’ll be at different schools next year. You have positive thoughts and you don’t let negativity get to you - if something does not go right you find a way to figure it out. You’re kind, calm, and collected. You’re mellow - and I feel good in your presence.
At this very moment I look back on my PS1 journey and I look at happy memories, including laughter, learning, kindness, and freedom. And most importantly all the things filled in these memories include what PS1 has provided me. My peers, teachers and friends have always been there and make sure that all of these examples go into the memories.
When I was in first grade, I was trying to find out what really made me happy. It took a little while to find the perfect thing. One year later I finally found what it was. And yes, it was a dance. Once I started dancing I’ve never felt more myself. I always wonder what I would be like without dance. And it always makes me shocked because it seems like dance has brought me so much peace that I can’t live without it.
My time at PS1 was like a dance routine. I expected that it would last forever, but it has gone by so fast. In seven years I have been in seven different classes. Each class was different in its own way. In Red there was imagination up in my head; going in Yellow I never felt so mellow; Green was a dance journey; in Blue I was halfway through; Violet Zoom and silent; Olders 5 was a surprise; and in Olders 4, the dance routine was ending.
So after seven years and seven classes I have gained confidence and leadership and become passionate, so thank you to the teachers and my parents for helping me through this dance routine.
Words from Kourosh
To my sunshine, to my joy, my best friend, my biggest teacher and my love; Valentina
Valentina, it feels like yesterday that I hold you in my hands and I officially become a mother. From the first moment I lay my eyes on you I new I’m so blessed with an amazing soul entering my life, you brought lots of joy and happiness to our life but above all you brought wisdom, you brought light and you show me the path.
You are a natural life teacher, you are a kind of soul who thinks with her heart who love with her heart and who decide with her heart. You are the definition of love and kindness.
They always say you are 28 in a body of 12 but to me your soul is way older, way wiser and way brighter, you are eternity and from your childhood u were a natural teacher, you though self love, you shine light and every place you go and any one’s path you cross you leave a deep warm sense of kindness and love.
I adore you my beautiful girl and so lucky and honored to be in earth journey with you.
Happy graduation
2021-2022
2016-2017
You are always calm. You are a really good painter. You are a good friend. I love playing with you. I love the bracelet you made me in the beginning of the year. I like drawing with you because I like when we talk about what we are drawing.
2017-2018
You say funny jokes and you like to play with me when I don’t have something to do. You cheer me up when I am sad with the funny jokes you tell. You are super kind and you never cheat when we play games. You are a good writer. When I pass by you I noticed that your writing is neat.
2018-2019
You are always ready for ‘whatever’ and flexible when we play, you just want everyone to have fun and you are fun to be around. You are generous, you share well with others and always think of everyone. You are an amazing and passionate dancer and performer. You are a fashionista! You have the best outfits and accessories. You are kind to others, fun, and always confident!
2019-2020
You are so comforting as a friend and you know how to make me feel included. You are so inviting and include me at the lunch table which is so nice of you. You express yourself really well when you dance. You tell me cheerful stories that make me feel better and have been there for me during difficult times.
2020-2021
You are so funny and have amazing stories. You are very supportive of everyone no matter what they do. That dance you do whenever I say Gucci flip flop is so cool. You always have hilarious jokes, one time I was laughing so hard, I laughed for a whole minute. You are amazing. I am glad we have become friends and I especially like joking with you at lunch.
Valentina, You are a great dancer and you always make your friends laugh. Valentina you are loving, trustworthy, kind, and sweet. Best friends are hard to find…It’s because you’re already mine! You are a very kind person to everybody no matter the circumstance. You are also a very hard worker and always try your best at everything. You are also a very funny person who can always lighten the mood. Valentina, you are really good at dancing and every day it seems your entering a new competition and you are very dedicated, it has been fun being at the same table as you and every conversation we have is interesting and captivating. Valentina you are a really nice and funny friend to have. You are also really good at dance because you always talk about it and to me it sounds like you did good in all your competitions. I think you are a great artist because I saw your book club project for the book The Misfits. Valentina, I think that you are creative and have original ideas. I think that you are hard working. Valentina, you are a person who can get a laugh out of everyone all the time. You are a confident person and you believe in yourself. Finally you are a supportive person to everyone around you.
2022-2023
You’re the kindest, most talented, unique person I know. You are literally hilarious, you say the funniest things and you are so easy to talk to. You are so fun to be with, you make me laugh so hard. Through the years it has been a privilege to be your friend and I am so happy to call you my best friend. Your laugh is contagious. It’s so fun to talk with you. I love how we can be proud of being Jewish together, and I had so much fun making a video about Mountain Pygmy Possums with you! You’re smart, a good book club member, really good at math, a great dancer, and I like being fairies with you in Shakespeare. You’re very good with advice for any situation. You always know what to do when people are stuck in a situation they don’t want to be in. We’ve been friends for so long and have shared so many amazing memories. I’m grateful to be your friend.
“A good friend is like a four-leaf clover—hard to find and lucky to have.”
- Jenna Evans WelchWhen I was in Red class, I always thought the campus was really big and that the Olders were terrifying. I was scared to walk up the stairs without the older kids trampling me. But once I realized that my friends were from every class and grade, I quickly overcame that fear because everyone felt like family.
I have looked back on all the great memories I have shared with my classmates and teachers. When I was in red class, I thought my PS1 journey would last forever, but now that I’m in Olders, I can’t believe that it is almost over. I can’t imagine who I would be now if I hadn’t met all of my close friends, and I’m certain that I will have these rare friends for the rest of my life. I never thought I would find so many four-leaf clovers at this school, but I did.
Everyone has been so welcoming here, from when I first started at PS1 and walked onto campus with the bubbles over my head, to now, when I’m graduating and standing under the oak tree giving my last speech at PS1. My journey at PS1 has now ended, and I will always keep my friends close to my heart.
Words from Wonder Serra and Adrian Toynton:
To Paige Blue,
We are so proud of the outgoing young woman that you have become.
You grew up in Venice near the beach for the first six years of your life…
The next 6 years, you spent in West Adams surrounded by the urban rhythms of life. You have the Ocean and the City in you. Both wild and tough.
You are the first to run and jump into the ocean, no matter the weather or size of waves.
You found surfing and beach volleyball on your own and do it for enjoyment, not competition. You can walk down any city street with confidence and shuffle the different landscapes. You are a people-person, a social butterfly, always happy and excited for the next day. Have a fabulous summer before 7th grade. Enjoy the beach and the city! Always do things that make you happy.
We love you Rabbit, Wonder & Adrian
2018-2019
2017-2018
You are such a great friend because you always compromise when we are playing games. You help people do the right thing. I don’t know what I would do without you. You are really nice and I like when we have playdates. I like how you climb the monkey bars. You are fast and good at climbing. I like that you really like cats. You are the best cat queen ever! You are good at drawing pickachu.
You are really creative, you make cute drawings and paintings of little animals and cool popsicle stick stars. You are a nice friend, who is always sweet, kind and inclusive. You are a great ‘onetouch’ player and make up fun games at recess. You are brilliant at monkey bars and know so many tricks, it is impressive how strong you are. You do beautiful gymnastic moves. You pick up things really fast.
Your laugh makes everyone else in the room laugh. Your joy is very contagious. You can always fix things when they’re not right. I am so lucky to have you as a friend. You are full of great ideas. You bring a smile to my face. You are also really funny and it has been nice getting to know you this year and getting to know what you like. You are a really good drawer. You make the best drawings I have ever seeeennnnn and that is saying a lot there are so many good Artist in the world but you’re the best. You are very funny and talented.
2020-2021
You are so funny, cool, chill, and kind. You are really good at being a team player in any game you play. I feel so lucky to have a friend like you. You are someone I can come to with all of my problems. You’re kind, inspiring, and creative. You are so funny during recess and you come up with some of the most hilarious and weird movements. I like working on projects with you because you help me out and you always have good ideas. You are a really good collaborator and take the lead and sort things out.
2021-2022
You are smart and kind to everyone. I really like how you hang out with everyone and are willing to do anything to help others. You are also very funny and you have a good vibe all the time. You are the person to come to when I’m feeling down and your cheerful attitude always lightens up my day. I enjoy playing with you because you are so easy going and imaginative. You are a great volleyball player and you inspire me to try harder to learn the game. I appreciate how you care about all your friends. You make me laugh so hard and I always have the best time with you. You’re literally one of the bestest people I know so thank you for everything.
2022-2023
You are so effortlessly funny.
I love how you can pump a room up with your energy. I love hanging out with you in music and laughing with you in library. You are so passionate about your favorite things and I really admire that. You pick the best movies to watch in every single category. You are super funny and even when nothing’s funny, when we look at each other we always laugh. You are really good at volleyball and soccer. You are a thoughtful and caring classmate and you make sure that you ask questions and you know what your learning, you want to know more about everything and you are so smart. You never back down from something and you always try you best. You have really great style too, and I love that we match sometimes. I love that you aren’t afraid to stand up for yourself and your friends, and I love being your friend. Without you our class would not be full.
Words from Jade Simpson:
Welcome friends, teachers, families and faculty. I am here today to tell you about my adventure at PS1. Thank you. ……
I walk into PS1, the bubbles gently float past me, the bell rings. I tightly hold onto my dad’s hand and I line up next to the yellow class. I am nervous, my teachers tell me it’s going to be alright but instead of listening to them I think “panic attack alert, alert, alert !” I start crying and the other kids see me crying, some start to snicker. I am still holding onto my dad’s hand not letting go. The teachers try to comfort me, my dad makes a run for it and I get told that I can sit on a bench outside until I feel ready to come in. I sit on the bench, eventually I stop crying and each day it gets easier to let go of my dad’s hand . I make friends, play house, learn basic math, and start my adventure at PS1.
The next year I was in Blue and had a great time with my new best friends. We went on a camping trip and stayed for two nights in a tent. It was so much fun we made s’mores and hot cocoa. We went on hikes and found what we thought was quicksand. Unfortunately it wasn’t. It’s amazing how far I have come in a year.
The next year I was in Blue again. We made ice cream in a bag with ice and salt. We made root beer floats but the root beer was too fizzy and learned geometry and geography. But then in the middle of the year, Covid hit. Masks lockdown and zoom. Zoom school was difficult, staring at a screen for almost 7 hours a day. But I have to admit that I was not always on screen but playing games and watching tv.
In violet Covid was still going but in February we went back to school in half groups and we had to distance ourselves. I tried being a soccer goalie at recess and got pretty good. People would pick me on their team to be the goalie. I was getting even better at math: we learned multiplication and long division. We wrote creative writing stories. Despite social distancing and masks, it was good to be back on campus.
Then when I was in Olders 5 we could take off our masks for a little while longer each day. It felt like Covid would never get better but soon enough you didn’t even have to wear masks half of the time. We dissected brains and eyes. We performed Julius Caesar and did a great job.
This year I was once again in year Olders 5. At the beginning of the year, I didn’t feel like I was going to graduate but as time passed I realized that I was going to have to leave my friends, teachers and PS1. I had to apply to schools and have interviews, tour the schools then wait for months to get results. It was tough to meet new people but I got better. In class I really enjoyed science like when we learned about atoms and the periodic table. It was lots of fun.
Thank you PS1 for these six years preparing me for a new school, I have learned so much. I would like to thank my friends and teachers for helping me at school and mom, dad, brother and sister for guiding me through my life.
Words from Michael and Saho Simpson:
Jade, you are the sweetest girl who’s always considerate for other people’s feelings. You have the most wonderful sense of humor with perfect timing that always makes us laugh. You are the rock of the family, and we are so incredibly proud of you as you graduate into your next endeavor.
All our love, mom and dad.
2017-2018
When you play the puppy game, you are adorable. I like it when you come to the library with me at recess. You are a calm and kind student because you always speak nice words to others. You always do nice things for people. I like your writing because you always think of good topics to write about. You help me in math when things are difficult.
2018-2019
You did so well in the Art Circle Time group. You are a great friend and tell funny jokes. You really care about your friends. You are willing to play anything to make your friends happy. You include people in your games and are so welcoming. You are so happy and smiley. You are expressive with your speech. You are so kind and patient with me.
2019-2020
You are open-minded and have a big heart in meeting new people. You can brighten anyone’s day with your laugh. Your humor is helpful when I have difficult days. You step up to make our class better. You have a sweet, thoughtful, and kind heart. You just get me and help me feel special.
2020-2021
You are very nice and funny. You tell the funniest jokes that always leave me in tears! You are good at being the goalie in soccer. When you cheer me on in soccer, it makes me play a little bit better. It’s pretty cool to watch you pass the ball in soccer. Please come back to playing soccer on the team again because we miss you. You are very supportive and when someone wants to sit with you, you welcome them. You are a very inclusive friend. It is fun to look for splinters with you.
2021-2022
Jade, you are so smart- like in math, you solve every problem it is so impressive. Also when I talk to you I enjoy it a lot and you are a really nice person. You are also an amazing goalie in Hockey and soccer. Jade you are super nice and funny. Remember when we play knock out and we kept switching so the other person would not get out! That was so fun you are so funny and a great friend. You are a great tennis player and I love playing tennis with you. I am so happy that you are my friend. Jade, you’re the best little assistant I could ever ask for, you always say the funniest things and make me laugh. I enjoy being with you and your cool clothes. You’re just so stylish! Thanks! You are a great friend and always make me happy. You are smart and always make us laugh. Jade, you are a great classmate. I love that you are smart and funny in the classroom and I love the pastel green sweatshirt that you wear to school.
2022-2023
You always help out. For example, there have been times when people have dropped or spilled something and you helped them clean it up, saving them a lot of time. You are so funny. I don’t know how many times you’ve made me cry because I laughed so hard. I can always count on you to make me smile, and you always make me feel good. You’re super loyal and an amazing tennis player. You are a reliable and trustworthy friend. You like to take risks and I admire that about you. Ever since I have met you I know that you will be someone that I could trust. Whenever I can’t do something in math you always help me, it is so amazing to know that you will never judge me. I feel I can tell you anything and you always make me feel like I did a good job even if I did not get a good grade, you will cheer me up and make me feel like I can do it next time.
Words from Rhazes Emrys Spell:
Seven Years at PS1
I recently came across a quote that I liked a lot. It goes like this…“A good life is a collection of happy memories.” As I stand here on my last day, I think about this and back to all of my happy memories here at PS1.
Walking in from the brown gate with bubbles flying in my face, I was nervous. I was scared to make friends, but everyone was welcoming. My sister introduced me to people. That was the start of the best 7 years of my life. In Youngers, I made friends playing structure tag, building with blocks, and playing soccer. In Bridge, we had the camping trip. We went on hikes, played tag, and climbed trees. My friends and I played rock, paper, scissors in our tent. In Violet, Covid came. We did everything on Zoom: P.E., Library, Studio, Art, and so much more. In Olders things went back to normal. I met old and new friends. We did Shakespeare plays under the oak tree. We went on fun field trips to an aquarium, museum, and an amphitheater.
At the very end, as I am looking back on everything, I realized that my collection of happy memories all include my friends, and life is good. I’m moving on to a new school. I’m sad that I’m leaving but I know that the friendships I have made here will last a lifetime. As I go on to have new experiences and make new friends at my new school, these memories will make me stronger.
Words from DeAnn and Rhazes Spell:
“Chicka chicka boom boom Chicka chicka boom boom
A told B, and B told C, “I’ll meet you at the top of the coconut tree.” “Whee!” said D to E, F, G. “I’ll beat you to the top of the coconut tree.”
Chicka chicka boom boom! Will there be enough room?
Here comes H up the coconut tree, and I and J and tag-along K, all on their way up the coconut tree.
Chicka chicka boom boom! Will there be enough room?
Look who’s coming! L, M, N, O, P! And Q, R, S! And T, U, V! Still more—W! And X, Y, Z!
The whole alphabet up the—Oh, no!
Chicka chicka BOOM! BOOM!”
Your smile. Over the years at PS1 you have grown, grown, grown in so many ways. You are bigger, of course! Your hair is longer. Your vocal chords are bigger - you actually SPEAK during circle times and plays and not just when you want to talk about Pomeranians. So many changes and so much growth. For us that growth is wonderful to see and a little sad. You change and get older and sometimes we miss “Little School” Rhazes. But! Your smile. Through all of these changes your smile still fires our hearts. When you smile everything feels right in our world. And we are so happy to see that simple joy still playing inside of you. Keep that, son. Treasure the laughter in your heart. It is a gift from you to yourself. Also, share it freely. It is a gift from you to others that may seem too small, but it is not. Your heart. The quote above is from one of your favorite cartoons when you were a baby. Do you remember it? Do you remember what caused the ‘BOOM! BOOM!’? (If you don’t go back and watch it again!) The thing that happened then made you cry. Everytime. It was adorable and it showed us how tender your heart was. And it still is. Keep that tenderness. It may seem at times that that tenderness is just a window for hurt. And your heart will hurt sometimes because that is a part of life. But!!! That tenderness is also a great power for you and for others. Keep it. Treasure it. Learn to use it. Stay joyful. Stay loving. Stay tender. Stay you. You are our son and sun. You warm us inside and out and throughout for all that you have been, are and will be. For that we are eternally grateful.
2018-2019
2016-2017
You are so active and do a lot of sports and play with other people. You are so kind. Sometimes if someone gets hurt, you check in with them and see if they’re okay. You never give up. You make people laugh. You goof around at snack recess and make other people laugh. You are so friendly and very funny.
2017-2018
You are a great friend and you make up fun games. You are fun and active, great at kickball, and good at drawing. You are kind, and good at soccer and structure tag. You are especially good at Castle tag in PE. You are good at math and you always work hard on writing. You are a great artist, creative, kind and smart.
You are nice and friendly; when we are together you are always the best! You are very playful, you make up a lot of games and are fun to mess around with and be silly. You look out for your friends like when you warned me about the pokemon card in aftercare. You always help your table do the right thing. Your smile makes me happy and your laugh brings me joy. You are an amazing friend, the best friend ever. You are a joy to be around. You are very knowledgeable about Minecraft and the best person to build blocks with. You are always willing to do ANYTHING!
2019-2020
You always are nice to everyone who wants to play with you. And everyone wants to play with you because you are so enjoyable and fun to play with. You are an upstander and you always listen. You are an amazing plant parent and you are always caring for your plant. You are so crazy nice and you never complain. You always have a bright smile and you are so athletic. I think your hair is very cool. I wish I had your hair. Once you were in a game, and it was boys against girls. You decided to be on the girls team. That was so kind of you.
2020-2021
You always make me laugh. I remember when we were waiting for your parents, we couldn’t stop laughing. I look forward to a lifetime of friendship. You never make anyone feel bad when they miss a goal in soccer, you don’t get mad, and you cheer us on. You are very good at striker! You have really good sportsmanship and you don’t miss a goal. You are also good at passing in soccer and you try to give others a chance to score even if they don’t.
2021-2022
Fun is what you are, along with smart, fantastic, humble, kind and such a genuine person; I love being around your earnest temperament. Rhazes you are really funny and you are great at four square. You always play really hard and If you make a mistake, you laugh and view this as a learning opportunity. If something goes awry, you never let that stop you; your prepared, trustworthy, funny personality really helps balance our class (balance being this year’s theme!). You are always so willing to collaborate with me - I really appreciate your gowith-the-flow attitude. It has given me lots to smile about and a friend I know I can trust this school year! You’re the most solid person, ever.
2022-2023
You are a very charming person who always has something kind to say to everyone in the class and you make sure that everyone feels supported. You are very considerate and sincere to others. Even though you don’t play very often, you are really good at soccer. When we play and you shoot, I’m so scared to get in front of the ball because your shot on goal is so fast it would go right through me and in the net. You are fun to play games with in person and online. When we did debates about the First Amendment, you were very good at coming up with arguments, and you work so hard in class too. Rhazes, you are so flexible and I have so much respect for you. You’re so kind and funny you always have positive thoughts and energy. You are so free-flowing and funny, relaxed and chill, I love hanging out with you.
Words from Kyler Ogawa Sziraki:
My experience at PS1 was spectacular. I have made so many friends, met so many great teachers, and learned so many new things. When I think of all my different years at PS1 it reminds me of a blooming dandelion. The first thought that comes to mind when I see a dandelion is it is an opportunity to make a new wish and working hard to make it come true. For me, that represents my life at PS1.
My seed was planted the first day I entered the big brown gates. Pearlescent bubbles floated around the Euclid campus. My year in kindergarten was absolutely amazing. I made new friendships that still remain today. I learned about simple poetry and shapes. My second year, my seed started to sprout. I was once again in yellow class! I learned about numbers, and insects. I also remember making a calendar when learning about the different months and days.
In 2nd grade I was in Green Class, the leaves of my dandelion started to grow. We learned how to help climate change. One of my most fond memories was drinking peppermint tea and eating M&M cookies! When I entered the 3rd grade the stem of my dandelion started to grow. The school year went pretty smoothly until the end, when Covid hit. We started class on zoom, it was confusing at first but I somewhat got used to it.
When I entered the 4th grade I didn’t go through the brown gates, I didn’t see all the different bubbles. Instead I saw a screen. The bud of my dandelion was there, but it hadn’t yet bloomed. It was a hard school year, not being able to see my friends in person, nor my teachers. Eventually, we did come to school, at first only twice a week, then every day, but still separated in half groups. Although it was a new and confusing experience it allowed me to get used to a different environment and a different learning community.
Finally, the day I have been waiting for since I was a younger, I had entered the Olders cluster. My bud finally bloomed into the bright yellow flower! Though we were still masked inside I got to see all my classmates! I was taught about the Greek gods and I performed Julius Caesar on the 12th street stage for the first time. Summer passed and I arrived at my last year at PS1. My dandelion started to poof up into its fluffy magical self. I had become a grad! We finally continued to go on field trips, we performed A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream and went on the grad camping trip.
Now, as I move on to middle school, my seeds are being blown away. Each one lands somewhere that leads to my future but one seed will always stay at PS1, reminding me of my wonderful time I had here! I want to thank my family for letting me have the wonderful opportunity to attend this school, my friends for always supporting and cheering me on, and my teachers for teaching me so many things and always making me feel so welcomed, Thank you!
Words from Kyle Sziraki and Hana Ogawa Sziraki:
Our Dearest Kyler,
Congratulations Kyler on your graduation from PS1. We are so proud and filled with joy having experienced your journey from a shy kindergartner to a mature, wise, and confident sixth grader. It has been nothing short of a privilege.
The grad quote you chose for your yearbook page was ichi-go ichi-e: cherish every moment because it can never be replicated in the same way again. Each day, we’ve seen you dance through life, shaping your world and those around you with your remarkable spirit, being thoughtfully present in each moment. You’ve taken each challenge in stride, always leading with your heart, always showcasing your resilience. Your journey is a beautiful ballet of dreams,growth, grit, and determination, a testament to the extraordinary young woman you’ve become.
We are confident that your path ahead is bright. The values you’ve embraced and the lessons you’ve learned at PS1 have prepared you to make a difference. Your joyfulness, your passion, your spirit—they’re sure to shine even brighter.
Your journey is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see where it takes you next. We love you, we’re incredibly proud of you, and we’re so excited for your next challenges.
Mom and Dad
2021-2022
2017-2018
2018-2019
2020-2021
2016-2017
I liked when we had a play date. We had fun playing house in your room. Whenever I want to play with something that you have, you are willing to share. You are a great artist and writer. You work to spell everything correctly. You are a good friend because you play with anyone who wants to play. You are a good sport when we play together.
You are such a good friend. Even though I was new to the class, you played with me ever since the first day of school. Your handwriting is so neat. You are a model for the class. I look at you to see what you are doing. You are a talented artist. You always draw pictures for me at quiet time even when I don’t ask you to. Whenever we play tag, you are an up stander for others because you make sure everyone plays fairly.
You are helpful when someone is in need, you are always there for them and tell them funny jokes to cheer them up. You have a kind way of being an upstander for people. You are always wanting to be inclusive to friends and you are always happy! You are responsible and patient and that makes your friends feel safe around you. You are amazingly playful. You are athletic, flexible, and accepting, as well as an amazing artist.
2019-2020
You can make anything that is normal be so much fun. You listen to others’ thoughts and ideas and are so considerate of them. You really cheered me up during Circle Time. You are a good writing partner because you help me realize I can improve my ideas. You have good energy that is so positive.
You are very kind, thoughtful, and whenever someone is feeling down you make sure to cheer them up. On pajama day one year, we were both hit by balls on the head. We stayed together and made each other feel much better. It’s really fun to be on your team in P.E. because you pass the ball to me and you’re a wonderful sport, even when our team is losing. You are a great learning partner. You always focus, which makes it so easy to get things done.
Your friendly and generous temperament can make any game or project enjoyable. I appreciate your sweet charisma. You bring such a grounded, down-to-earth energy to our classroom that I know we all collectively appreciate. You effortlessly validate our emotions and thoughts; plus, you are so easy to joke and have fun with!! The information I share with you, I know for a fact, is in trustworthy, caring hands. You are kind and respectful to everyone; you’re always not only willing but excited to work together with people, and you bring incredible art skills and knowledge to the task.Your work ethic is so inspiring, it makes me want to practice my piano every day for, like, two hours! You are super smart and I think you could someday be the president.
2022-2023
You are ALWAYS kind. It’s like you are incapable of being mean. You always check on somebody if they are hurt, even if you weren’t involved. You are helpful, loyal and trustworthy. You are a great friend and always looks out for everyone. When someone needs help with work we can rely on you. You are so kind and sweet to everyone and I love hanging out with you! You are always such a fun person to be around and it is so fun when we talk about our feelings in and out of school! You have a great personality. Your handwriting is beautiful. You’re focused and funny. You’re very talented at many things. I really admire how much empathy you have whether you see that I’m hurt or when you congratulate my accomplishments.
ICHI - GO ICHI - E Cherish every moment because
it can never be replicated in the same way again
“ I wouldn’t trade it for anything, never, no. Never. Your friendship is the best. Ever. -Tigger
Three beautiful flowers representing my years at PS1. My time at PS1 was shorter than others, because I went to a different school. But I still had time to meet my best friends. I am now leaving the place where I have learned so much, had the best memories and ready for more flowers to bloom.
When my first flower opened, I was on zoom in 4th grade. I already knew a girl who I was friends with for years, but when I got on the screen, I realized I knew nobody else, and it would be hard to make friends on zoom. But I persevered and near the end of zoom I got to know more people. During the middle of my first year at PS1, school was back in person. I got to step on the campus for the first time.
My second year at school was my first full year, in person. That year I met my best friends. I had so many memories of competitive P.E with all my classmates, and fun Fridays. This year was my favorite year. My last flower had bloomed. This year I got so close to my friends. I had so many great memories this year, doing handstands with my friends, playing soccer at recess, and playing tag with youngers. I started to realize how important my memories and things I have learned were at PS1. PS1 has taught me to be myself, be grateful, and to always have fun. I want to keep those things I have learned for my next schools.
I want to thank my friends for making me laugh so hard I cry, and my amazing teachers for always listening to me. I want to thank my family for being there for me throughout my life, being so supportive, reminding me that I can do whatever I put my mind to, and giving me a great education.
Thank you.
We could have never imagined this day would come so soon. You made it, and we are so extremely proud of you. If there’s one thing that we can take away from writing this letter to you, it is that all the days that got you here moved along so fast. It is the stressful dress shopping, the friendly get-togethers with all the strong bonds you created at PS1, that slow us down and serve to remind us how far you have come. Going from a big school with familiar faces to a smaller one, only knowing one person, takes courage that not everyone can do with such grace. It is you, who built these connections and grasped every opportunity to bond with new peers. Only days into 4th grade, you were telling us about the “new friends” you had made. You were telling us about music specialty classes and PE with Pedro. This not only illustrates how magnetic you are to everyone who meets you, but also reminds us all how willing and brave you can be.
Along our journey of watching you grow; we have observed your ability to be optimistic and open minded. So we thank you for teaching us so much about life. So to our independent girl… We are so extremely proud of you and cannot wait to see how you bring your authenticity to your new school. While we know Crossroads is a great school that will be great for you, it is them and your peers that will be gaining a gift, a friend, and a kind of kindness that one can only be born with. We are all here, cheering you on, supporting you, and loving you.
Love, Your Family Words
2022-2023
2020-2021
I admire how easily you switched schools, especially because it was in the middle of quarantine. You are really talented. You are very funny and you make me laugh. I love spending time with you especially at recess. You’re a good writer because you’re working so hard on it. You’re kind, caring, and helpful. I like to collaborate with you because you give me good ideas. You’re a great classmate because you’re always positive, you never give up. You always try your best and your best is good work.
2021-2022
Jade, I’ve known you since kindergarten at Roosevelt and now we meet again in 5th grade at PS1. It’s been four years but I still remember you. You are such a kind and caring friend to me and you are great at volleyball, soccer, and basketball. You are also a good sport. You are a very nice person and when I talk to you, you seem like a very cool person. You are also really good at art and I really think it is an amazing quality. You are so kind, supportive, and creative and you are amazing at drawing and are always so kind to me. You support every decision I make. I always love hanging out on the bench in the corner of the soccer field drawing and talking to you. To Bestie! So are so fun, kind and thoughtful. I have really enjoyed watching our friendship grow with the year! I will always remember our sign language video and our amazing drawings for goals. I really wish that we will be together next year!
We have so many good memories. Each day I spend with you adds to the list of adventures we’ve had. I can always share secrets with you and you with me. You are so sweet and kind and incredibly funny! You always make me smile and you are so fun to be around! Whenever you come into the class, you bring such a happy spirit with you! Whenever we are together you always make me laugh and you shine so bright in everything you do. You are thoughtful and considerate of others and always put your friends before yourself. You are so good at soccer and rock climbing and have such dedication. The goofiest person I have ever met and you make my day better every day. When I was having friend troubles you were always there for me and when my friends did not come up to me in the morning you started to walk up to me and say good morning and I would always feel like I had found the person you made me feel like I belong.
"I am who I am, and I have the need to be"
-The Little Prince Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
People always tell me nothing lasts forever. I never want to believe that but unfortunately, it’s true, kindergarten through sixth grade will never last forever. PS1 will never last ever. But for the past seven years, I have tried to make the most of my time here.
My first day was nerve-racking but I knew I could do this. Red was rough at first but I got used to it after a possum snuck into class to learn. (It’s true, a real possum wandered into our class!) Going to Green was an adventure. I remember when we had Bring Your Pet to School Day and the kids in Blue class were a bit jealous. Moving to Violet was a bumpy ride, that’s when Covid hit. First, we thought we had two weeks off, then we spent almost a year on Zoom. It was hard but we made it work. Finally, we got back and school was getting back to normal, and my first play was a hit. It was my big Broadway play. Then it happened. I was in sixth grade. I knew this was going to be my big year. I had to make it count.
This year I have made sure that I was a good role model. I used all the knowledge that PS1 gave me: Kindness, thoughtfulness, curiosity, loyalty, being myself and so much more. Sixth grade was great but now it’s coming to an end. I will never forget all the memories and all my birthdays here and walking into the first day of school with the bubbles. I will never forget that, but nothing lasts forever. I’m not going to be here forever to make all the memories that I want to make, so while I’m still here, I will remember the ones I have and look forward to making more.
Before I go I want to say thank you to my dad for supporting me, caring for me, and buying all my Sephora things. And to my mom for loving me, spending time with me, and for dealing with my crazy self.
Your name means “Champion; one who achieves”. I stand in awe, having had a front row seat to your growth and achievements these last seven years. I could not have chosen a more suitable name for you! A champion has enormous courage and belief in oneself to persevere and sacrifice, to go after their goals in life, while maintaining respect and care for those around them. You, my girl, are a champion in all you do!
From the moment you walked into LGRed, you had an unmistakable curiosity about life and the endless possibilities of blazing your own trail. This curiosity set you off on an adventure - one that will last you a lifetime! Over the last seven years, I’ve witnessed your thought-provoking and intriguing questions; I’ve witnessed your bravery and confident leadership; and I’ve witnessed your resiliency flourish in a multitude of ways - never missing an opportunity for growth.
You approach life with paramount creativity; this is evident in your storytelling, your problem-solving techniques, in your approach to learning, your self-expression, and how you nurture your friendships.
With this creativity comes unmatched joy. Joy in finding humor in any situation you find yourself in; joy in going for the joke and making those around you laugh; joy in embracing your imagination and leaning into your originality. A few short weeks after starting Kindergarten, I happened to arrive early for pick-up. All of LGRed gathered into the MPR, where you confidently took the stage to perform an impromptu solo dance in front of your new classmates – to none other than, yup, ‘Eye of the Tiger’.
You live authentically and unapologetically, bringing joy wherever you go. PS1 has given you a space to effortlessly express yourself; and as a result, you’ve given all of us your positivity and light.
Nylah, your heart is huge and your soul, warm. Your ability to express empathy and compassion for others is humbling. You never shied away from being kind and inclusive; bringing with you a spirit of community that helped to unify you and your peers. That same confident Kindergartener, now a 6th grader, decides to rally her entire class to raise money for a (stuffed) pet dinosaur. You led with spirited kindness, encouraging full-class participation in this mission. You thrive on opportunities bring people together – a rare and genuine trait.
I am proud of the wildly independent, funny, and thoughtful human you have grown into. Your varied experiences paired with your strengths and stretches, have helped to define you into a resilient, positive, and courageous champion. Nylah, you are both fierce and tender! That beautiful heart of yours will have an impact on everyone you encounter. I’m confident that your journey over these last seven years, has given you the skills to champion whatever lies ahead. Your spirit is vivacious, and you are full of life! Wherever you go in this big world, I know light and love will be at the helm.
There are moments in life that shape us, that reveal the true essence of who we are. Last week, we had one of those moments together. At the flea market, we stopped at a booth, and something extraordinary happened. The lady behind the table took one look at you and said “Your daughter is so beautiful.” I couldn’t resist making a dad joke, crediting your looks to your mom. However, the lady interrupted me and said, “No, it’s not just her appearance. She has a beautiful soul, and it radiates from within her.”
Those words really resonated within me because they captured something intangible. Your beautiful soul is one of those magical qualities that defy explanation. I am overflowing with pride for the remarkable young lady you have become, and I am filled with anticipation to witness the incredible woman you are destined to be.
From the moment you were born you amazed me. I still remember how you scored a perfect 100 on your hearing test, leaving the nurse in awe. It was a small glimpse into the extraordinary person you would become. Day after day, you continue to astound me. Your intelligence is boundless, and your capacity for compassion and understanding of others’ feelings and emotions is truly remarkable. Your heart is a haven for kindness, and you possess a captivating sense of humor that never fails to make me laugh. I’ve watched you transform frowns into fits of laughter with your comedic talent. You give me everything a father could ever dream of, and so much more.
Our shared passions bring me immense joy. Whether it’s our love for movies or our excitement for boxing, these moments of bonding fill my heart with happiness. I am incredibly grateful that you had the opportunity to graduate from PS1, as they have been invaluable partners in raising you into the extraordinary person you are today.
Know this, my love: I will always be there to catch you if you stumble and fall. I will be present for every special moment life has in store for you. In your happiest moments, I will be there, cheering you on with unbridled pride. And in your saddest moments, I will hold you close, offering comfort and solace. Words fail me when I try to express the depth of my love for you and the profound impact you have had on my life.
As you embark on the journey of life, my love, remember that you are capable of achieving greatness. The world awaits your unique gifts and talents, and I have no doubt that you will leave an indelible mark on it. Cherish every experience, learn from every challenge, and never lose sight of the extraordinary person you are.
I am eternally grateful to be your father, my darling daughter. Thank you for blessing my life with your presence. May your path be filled with boundless joy, immeasurable love, and endless possibilities.
With all my Love, Your Proud Father
I love you and am beyond proud!
Mom
2021-2022
2017-2018
2019-2020
2016-2017
I liked when we had a play date. We had fun playing house in your room. Whenever I want to play with something that you have, you are willing to share. You are a great artist and writer. You work to spell everything correctly. You are a good friend because you play with anyone who wants to play. You are a good sport when we play together.
You are good at art and really nice and kind to others. When someone is hurt, you check on them. You are really helpful with stuff. You are silly because you say silly stuff. You are such a good friend and I like playing cats with you. Thank you for playing cats. You are good at Readers Workshop at structure tag and you move really fast. You are good at violin and I look up to you. I hope to play the violin as well as you someday.
2018-2019
You are very funny and always put a smile on my face. You are helpful, inclusive and always there when I need you. You are a great person to get silly with you turn boring things into fun things. As a friend, you are a patient listener. You are the dancing queen. You are hilarious funny in a great way. You have a big heart and I hope I always know you. You can dance to all kinds of music and I can tell you really enjoy it. You are full of energy and you bring lots of joy to our class.
You are very friendly and share really cool and fun things that you do. It was so fun being in Youngers with you and you are very smart. You are really funny and interesting and open minded. You have a lot of really great ideas. It has been good getting to know you this year and getting to know your personality. You are very funny and even though we can’t be together, you still a great friend. You are so kind hearted. You are always flexible no matter what. You are very open to ideas and games.
2020-2021
You are such a supportive and amazing friend. I remember in PE we couldn’t stop laughing with our little Dora thing. You are funny and kind. You make up the best games and you are a great conversationalist because you make people laugh and stay interested with your great stories. You are a very good friend and it is funny when you go, “Sheeeesh!” When I don’t get something in math, you make me laugh and help me to understand it.
I admire your confidence and creativity! Your amazing ideas are unique and you know it! I enjoy talking with you because you are hilariously funny, and a naturally flamboyant, fun person. Whenever I am around you, I am never sad because I am too busy laughing. I appreciate how you are very creative and always want to try new things. You are a really supportive friend and you always go big or go home which is really cool. You turn even the most awkward atmosphere into a place where people can bond, laugh, and smile with each other. Your ability to bring people closer together when we’d least expect it is a testament to how you can always see the bigger picture, and turn obstacles into opportunities for growth!
2022-2023
You are one of the funnest and funniest people I know! Remember the failed pencil game? No matter what, you can always cheer someone up and make them smile, and sometimes even end up on the floor dying of laughter. You’re a great Titania in the play, and you’re very smart, kind, and supportive. I love that you are never afraid to be yourself - I love your amazing pink wig and fun earrings (even if they aren’t all kosher), all the car rides with you and your barks and meows, your obsession with ferrets and chicken nuggets, and how you push me to be a better person when I’m with you. I love how open you are to new things. I really cherish our friendship and all the memories we have made together. I’m proud to call you one of my closest friends, and blessed to have met you.
How far you'llgo is how far you are willing to go. - unknown IprefermyNewZealandeggsfor breakfast.-QueenElizabeth
Words from Montgomery Elizabeth Turner:
My PS1 experience is represented by a grove of trees. I would imagine these trees to be in a part of the hundred acre wood that Winnie the Pooh lived in and the woods I actually explored once. The hundred acre wood was an important part of my childhood because I listened to many stories about them and Winnie the Pooh is my favorite character. Seven trees with light green leaves and flowers. Each flower is a different color like the PS1 pins which were always the highlight of moving up day.
In Youngers each new friend was a new branch on my first tree. I remember on the first day of school before we went to our classes I saw a kid doing the monkey bars. I was fascinated. I immediately started trying. Later I had to ask my teachers for band-aids for the calluses on my hands. But I wasn’t crying. I was proud of myself for doing my first of many monkey bars. That deepened my roots and grew my first tree.
In Bridge I felt all grown up getting my third and fourth trees. These leaves were bigger, catching more sun, strengthening my learning. I was in blue class for both my bridge years and I remember the magnet wall. Whenever we would go on a trip I would always make sure to bring back a magnet for our wall and I would be so proud to look at the wall and see the magnet I put on there. Towards the end of Bridge, COVID started. We were on zoom which didn’t even feel like school. Violet, my only year in Middles was my smallest tree. I didn’t make as many friends because we started during Covid so the leaves on this tree were smaller. Finally, we came back on campus, separated into two groups. I remember at the time I was obsessed with the planet, which is why my best memory of Middles was doing a project on Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan activist for the planet.
Finally, I was in Olders 5 which didn’t feel as different as I remember thinking it would in Youngers when I saw all those big kids. The flowers on this tree were white, catching sun creating pollen as I learned about Greek and Roman history and how to dissect an eye and performed Julius Caesar. Finally the last year came. I was part of the oldest students on campus. The year flew by so fast and here I am now standing under the oak tree. I have realized that though PS1 was not going to be my daily life anymore, it was always a part of me. PS1 has shaped me into who I am today and I am grateful for that. I would like to thank all my amazing teachers who have helped me be my best self and all my friends who always have my back. I would also like to thank my parents for giving me this amazing opportunity and who support me every step of the way. As poet and author A.A. Milne once wrote: How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. Thank you.
Words from Heather and Richard Turner:
Watching you move through the world is a constant joy, filled with wonder and hope. We wonder at how smoothly you navigate each new challenge and experience with grace and a constant vigil for your friends and their feelings, and at your excitement when a new idea ‘blossoms’ in your mind and you can’t sit still until you put it into action.
Our hopes are that your enthusiasm is never squashed – and that difficult times which are a necessary part of growing up never overwhelm you or dull your sparkle. That your easy laughter and open mind are never diminished or stifled.
We chose PS1 for you (you would have preferred the school with a pet turtle in the classroom) because we wanted a magical and gentle childhood for you. It was the right choice in so many ways we couldn’t even see back then. You found friends in those first days who remain your most precious connections – and you’ve added great new friends along the journey. PS1 allowed you to become who you are with so little friction and with such care and devotion to your passions that we cannot imagine a better start to your life of learning.
You’ve found teachers to love and learn from who will always have a place in your heart and helped make you the wonderful young lady you’ve become. Treasure them forever. Bonnie and Kelly, Billy and Keondria, John and Madeline…and, of course, Christina. They have all helped nurture in you a love of stories, reading and writing as fierce as their own. A gift you’ll have your entire life.
Your discovery of and love for performing came late but may last longest. You’ve never been attracted to drama in friendships, perhaps now finding in plays an outlet more productive and rewarding. We can’t wait to see how this new passion takes off.
When you arrived at PS1 you were a curly-haired babe, just a tiny five-year-old we could never imagine turning into one of those tall (and wildly confident) 6 th graders we saw stalking the same campus. You skipped down the sidewalk on your way in, watching for the magical bubbles, and cartwheeled on your way out that first day. May you always find such joy in learning, playing and growing with new friends and teachers in the years to come.
You’ve emerged a strong, smart, capable and accomplished girl, who’s chosen her own next path with poise and confidence. PS1 has helped you find your true self and you’ve sprinkled a bit of that self behind in the hallways, on the fields and in the classrooms. A reminder of all you’ve done and all that awaits you…
All of our love and support, Mom & Dad
2017-2018
2016-2017
You are very generous because you always share your things with me. When we play animals together at recess time, you always let people be any animal they want to. When I’m lonely you always invite me to play. You think of fun games to play. You make me feel good.
You always make up really fun games like the kitty game. You are so nice. When I hit my funny bone on the shelf you helped me. When you play games you are always fair and never cheat. You are a great writer because you have great ideas and you always add lots of details. You cheer me up when I feel sad. In math, you are a good problem solver because you explain the math problems so it’s clear for me.
2018-2019
I noticed how you sing all the songs with all your heart. You know how to say your lines clearly. You are so smart, helpful, sweet and you can be humorous too. You are an upstander and have your friends’ back. You are so responsible and help me to be responsible too.
2019-2020
You have such a friendly greeting each morning. Your funny jokes bring us good cheer. You are a safe person to be with and can make anyone happy. You are the nicest friend anyone can have. You make a great learning partner for any subject. Your puppy presentation was so amazing and cute.
2020-2021
You are always a nice friend and even in Youngers’ you were so supportive. You are a really good soccer player and when we play, you always score. You have great sportsmanship, you let other people try to score. You look for ways to show kindness.
On Grandparents and Special Friends day, you remembered your part and it helped me remember mine. You are really funny and make people smile. You make life happier.
2021-2022
Monty, you are my closest friend. You are so kind and caring, smart, funny livel,y and creative. Remember the time on Easter when we watched Spirit. You have the most creative mind I know. I hope you continue to be my friend over the course of my life. Monty you are really nice and I admire how you always participate and you are also funny and are always kind to others. Monty, I’ve noticed you are imaginative with your work and ideas, and that you are a considerate person that always gives their best. You are funny, kind, caring, and smart and you are amazing at math and writing. You always make me laugh when I’m sad. I will never forgot when we tried making slime together and ended up covering your whole sink in slime. I love your creativity and your ability to make any bad situation seem a little better. Monty, you are so just so amazing, I don’t know what to say! You are so kind, funny, and I love hanging out together. It has been amazing to watch our friendship grow!
2022-2023
You always lighten up the room and you can make me laugh so hard I will start to cry. I love how confident you are no matter what. You are a very loyal individual, you will always stick up for your friends and you will make the most out of any situation. I appreciate how persistent you are and how you will always go to the end to get the job done. You are so sweet and kind and you always fill up the room with joy! You are always such a bright spirit and you always care so much about others! You can lighten the mood, and you are flexible, as you don’t complain too much if something happens. However, you will also speak up if something is wrong. I really do hope that we will forever be best friends and partners in crime because the memories I’ve made with you will always be my favorite.
Words from Watson Turner:
I remember the first day I walked onto this campus. The atmosphere was electric and every student was waiting to run onto the field. We were so small we could barely see bubbles flying over the fence and teachers scattered throughout the Euclid yard. Joel went up to the balcony and everyone counted down in synchrony. Suddenly, the gates opened and everyone started to run. Little did I know, I was in for a journey that I’d remember for the rest of my life.
Mark Twain once said “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, dream, discover.”
This passage is reflective of my time at PS1 and it’s my hope that PS1’s spirit of exploration lives on in me for my years to come. I will look back on my PS1 experience and, like Mark Twain, know that I tried my best to explore, dream and discover.
There are so many characteristics that PS1 has helped me develop such as empathy, communication, and confidence. Without these qualities I might not have the opportunity to throw off my bowlines and sail away from my safe harbor.
For example, my PS1 journey has helped me develop confidence I wouldn’t have otherwise. I’ll share with you an early experience I had from when I started at this school: On the day of my first circle time I remember being too scared to go onto campus when we parked. My mom had to go all the way around into the drop off line and had the teachers grab me out of the car. I was overwhelmed and I feared getting on stage under any circumstance. Now look at me - I am a guy with a broken leg and when performing that’s apparently good luck.
Looking forward I know that this journey will mean so much to me and it will have a great impact on my life. I would like to thank everyone responsible for helping me through this journey including my parents, siblings, teachers, my family, classmates and the broader community. I am excited to take everything this experience has given me and use it as a starting point to explore and discover the next chapter of
Words from BJ and Laurel Turner:
We are so proud of you. Your strength, resilience, determination, compassion, humor, and love for life inspire us. (Note: Mom already crying after 1st sentence of writing).
Thinking about your 7 year PS1 journey, we think of your “firsts and lasts”:
===
First 1st Day of School - We stood across the street so you could watch the bubbles and the commotion from a distance. We walked you in to your classroom and your teacher Jen knew you would be hesitant so she “Saved you a seat” right next to her in the circle. You hid under your bed during the teacher home visit before the start of school and you wouldn’t come out. She conducted the entire visit from the floor next to your bed.
Last 1st Day of School - You were the first person at the gate waiting for the doors to open. We stood back as you were surrounded by friends, eager to start your Grad Year at PS1.
===
First Performance - You were so reluctant to get on stage that you wouldn’t get out of the car. Mom had to bring you to the dropoff line so they could encourage you to get out and join your class. You were so nervous.
Last Performance - You memorized your lines for Shakespeare weeks in advance and considered how to really lean into your roles. You didn’t break stride in your practices, even on crutches in a cast.
===
First Recess - Recess could feel big and overwhelming. You had to learn to navigate unstructured time. We met with your teachers about your desire to enter play but not quite understanding how to accomplish that. They had a book full of recess ideas that they shared with you. For the first few days you played ping pong with your teacher Preethi. And then you found your way to soccer with Oliver.
Last Recess - You charge out of the classroom with your friends, ready to conquer recess. Even with your foot in a cast in your last recess times, you still dive right in playing goalie on your knees!
===
First Overnight Camping Trip - When you got your class assignment for Green/Bridge for 1st grade, you knew that meant overnight camping, and you immediately said in August that you would not be attending. Slowly but surely you came around on the idea until you were willing to give it a try.
Last Camping Trip - You were several days into a newly broken foot. Despite this, you were completely set on joining the Grad Camping Trip and having that experience with your friends, and with crutches and a knee scooter, you totally rocked it.
===
First Aftercare - It took years to convince you to go to aftercare and you begrudgingly agreed the first time (because you had to) during teacher conferences in green.
Last Aftercare - Your last aftercare experience was running a chess class with Pedro for other children at school…. Preparing lessons, teaching and coaching PS1 students.
===
So much about you has stayed the same – your kindness, enthusiasm, engagement, intelligence. But you have grown up.
Watson, you came to PS1 as a sweet, shy little guy. And you graduate a confident young man, knowing exactly who you are.
Watson, you came to PS1 as a sweet, shy little guy. And you graduate as a confident young man, knowing exactly who you are.
2016-2017
There’s always something that you’re doing. You are playful and you always let people join your games. You say the funniest things! You are really active and creative. You make a lot of jokes and that makes people laugh. You play nonstop and love playing soccer. You never give up!
2017-2018
I like to be your math partner for Race to Zero because you love to talk about numbers. When I want to play basketball, you are always up for a game. You are such a fun person to have in the car on field trips because you are up for anything. You are known for your baseball hats, I can always find you at recess! You never cheat at games and I will play any time with you!
2018-2019
I like to be your math partner for Race to Zero because you love to talk about numbers. When I want to play basketball, you are always up for a game. You are such a fun person to have in the car on field trips because you are up for anything. You are known for your baseball hats, I can always find you at recess! You never cheat at games and I will play any time with you!
2019-2020
You are thoughtful and always help out when someone needs it. You help me to push myself to solve math problems quicker and more efficiently. You are kind and a really good friend. You are really helpful when we play soccer because you give me tips. You’re chess club is super fun! One time when you were teaching me chess online, you beat me three times in a row. I was impressed!
2020-2021
You are amazing at sports and are also a great goalie in everything that requires goalie. Even if you lose a match in recess or P.E. you always agree with the loss and remember that you had fun. You are a good sport. You have amazing ideas and are always positive. I like that you are always willing to help out when people need it. I love being partnered up with you and I hope we can keep doing more crafts and projects together! Your hard work inspires me to work harder and harder.
2021-2022
You are such an intelligent and kind person. You try very hard for the things you want and you are passionate in what you do. I also appreciate how you don’t give up easily. You are respectful and thoughtful to others.
I’ve been in your class for so long and I feel we have really become good friends. You have a very similar sense of humor as me and you are able to bring a smile to my face everyday. You have, honestly, taught me a lot and I really look up to you. You are so funny and I love hanging out with you. Whenever I have a Rubik’s Cube with me I always hand it to you and then in a matter of seconds it comes back solved. You are a hard worker. You are a good classmate. You are a very smart person and helpful a lot in math, especially me. I can always rely on you.
2022-2023
You always read the room around you before stepping in. You are a great learning partner because you stay on track and don’t goof off. I also love that you always have a great mind in sports and know what is right versus wrong. Watson, you are very smart! I was very impressed when you taught the class the Pythagorean Theorem. You always pass me the ball when we play and are very inclusive. You explained everything so well and it was very easy to understand. You are a master at chess, a great goalkeeper, and so funny and kind. I remember when our team was losing in PE and you did not give up, you just kept going and we won.
The only true wisdom is knowing y u know nothing
-Socrates
In my 7 years at PS1 I have experienced some of the best times of my life. I am going to miss all of my friends when we go our separate ways because some of us have been together for more than half of our lives. And even though we are leaving each other we will all remember our favorite things about the school like playing Everybody’s IT in PE or making ice cream and root beer in Blue or going on our first overnight camping trip in Green. I guess what I’m trying to say is that we have made some really good memories here and I really hope that we will remember every one of them.
These school years have been like a soccer season. Youngers- Like the first soccer practice of the season and my first year at PS1 meeting my teammates and meeting new people, learning the rules of the game, and the rules of the school. Learning to count, read, and write was like learning trap, pass, and shoot. Learning to work independently was like dribbling past a defender on my own and working cooperatively with my classmates is like working with my teammates to score a goal.
Words from Jade Duell and Owen Wilson: Words from Ford Wilson:
In Bridge, a new game begins, trying new tricks like flicking the ball over my head and learning fractions or juggling the ball like learning my times tables. In the classroom and on the pitch teamwork gets much more important. And just when I’m feeling most confident on the pitch and in the classroom the pandemic hits and like a badly sprained ankle I was forced off the field and forced out of school. It was really hard to not be able to play soccer and having to go to school on a computer. But I just tried to push through not being able to see my friends and playing what I love. When I was able to go back to school and play soccer again it felt amazing. I was reunited with my friends and with soccer.
These past years. School and soccer have both become more challenging. My school work has become more difficult and soccer has become more competitive. But even though everything is becoming more difficult I am having twice as much fun. I would like to thank my parents, my teachers and my coaches for everything you’ve taught me over the years. And I would also like to thank my friends and teammates for always being there for me. These school years have been like a soccer game but as you know every soccer game has to end and even though this game is almost over a new game will begin soon.
It’s hard to believe that you are approaching your final days, moments and minutes at PS1. We remember your first day like it was yesterday. We saw you walk across the yard in a green ninja turtle shirt, headed to your first day of kindergarten with your hands stuffed deep in your pockets as though hiding your hands would hide your fears. We saw as you discovered a love for fuze beads, a bit of mischief (banned from the MPR bathroom?!) and developed your own unique identity. We saw you as you learned that friendships aren’t limited to those in the same class, cluster or even generation as you. Your circle of friends is numerous and diverse. You connect with people in so many different groups. Gamers! Gamblers! Soccer! Girls! All of which are a testament to your kindness, character, and how you make others feel. It’s hard to crack down on screen time when the only noise coming from your room is laughter, singing and chatter among your friends. We see that you are a natural leader both in person and online, at recess and on your soccer team. You embody inclusiveness and never shy away from standing up for others even when it means confronting your own friends.
We saw how you adapted to circumstances beyond our control and the courage and resilience you displayed when things didn’t always go your way. Over the years you’ve learned how to navigate tricky emotions, tough situations and major disappointments (poor broken toe) all while staying true to who you are and coming through each stage stronger than ever.
Now we watch as you walk across the stage and leave PS1 a smart, confident, and compassionate young man. You have made us proud every single day. Even when you were deep in mischief (supplying a black-market candy business on campus) we were proud you had the spirit and nerve for such adventures! We can’t wait to watch as you carve out a place for yourself at Windward and all the new and exciting experiences heading your way.
We hope you always remember:
1) You can do hard things
2) It’s ok (even good) to make mistakes and most importantly
3) That you are SO LOVED!
We love you when you’re happy, we love you when you’re sad. We love you when you’re naughty and we love you when you’re mad. We love you Ford!!
Always your biggest fans,
Mom, Dad and Samy2016-2017
You are my best friend. You are such a kind friend. I like you because you play with me. Thank you for being a good friend. You are a nice person and I love you. You are really funny when I rub your head and you run away.
2017-2018
I like that you like Pokemon too. I like you because you are so funny. You are a good partner because you share and play fair. You’re really good at soccer and one touch. You are a good friend and I don’t know what we would do without you. You don’t exclude. You bring happiness in people. You are a really good person.
You have a cool personality and creative ideas. You are an amazing outfield soccer player who scores well. You make weird and funny voices. You are energetic, you play a lot of sports and are always upbeat. You are thoughtful of others and flexible. Everyone wants to be your friend. You are smart and always willing to help others out. You have a great personality and a great sense of humor. Everything in this list describes you to a ‘T’.
2019-2020
You care both about people and having fun. I can play anything with you from sports and Roblox. You are calm and patient with your friends. It is so much fun playing soccer with you and just laughing with you too. You have a nice and caring personality. I feel comforted and safe with you as my friend. You make a good writing partner.
2020-2021
Isn’t it funny how your shoes always fall off when we play soccer? You are really good at playing soccer. You never fail to make people laugh. You are fun to play with. You are a very inclusive person. You never judge a person by what you think they are, you are open to getting to know them. You are always open to everyone’s ideas.
2021-2022
You are talented, strong, kind, and always supportive to your friends. You always try your hardest in everything. Your energy and ability to never give up no matter what makes you ten times more awesome. You are also amazing at math and sports especially soccer. I like you as my table mate. I like that you make me laugh in the classroom. You did a wonderful job doing your grandparents and special friends day video. I like how sweet you are about everything, you speak so calmly and it’s so friendly. You are a truly nice person and I’m super lucky to have met you. You are really kind and are EXTREMELY good at soccer. You always brighten up the room and bring a positive mood to the class. I hope you have fun next year.
2022-2023
You are really kind and funny, you always make sure everybody is passed to in soccer. You are always helpful. If you hurt someone, you always check if they are okay, even if what you were doing is still going on. I admire how you put your mind to things and work extremely, extremely, extremely hard to achieve your goals. I wish that I could get stuff done this way. You are always so kind and you never fail to show support for everyone! You are also hilarious and we’re always laughing. We’ve been friends for so long and I cherish each memory we made. In social studies when we were studying about Colonial Boston, I really admire how you stayed on track and helped get the group back on too.
Words from Sarah Zabinski:
The journey that I have had at PS1 has been one that I will value for many years to come. I have, as I’d like to put it, found myself. This means that I have discovered who I am, what my personal traits are.
I am confident. Back in kindergarten, I was a shy girl and rarely participated in class discussions. Throughout my journey at PS1, I have learned how important confidence really is. I remember in Bridge I had this one teacher who always encouraged me to participate in class. They made me feel comfortable during class conversations and it contributed so much to my confidence.
In addition to this, I am innately curious, and I will forever be an inquisitive person. At PS1, I have been taught that asking questions and wondering about the world is important, that voicing my thoughts is important. All of the teachers at PS1 have been so supportive whenever I ask questions, and it has benefited me greatly. They always made me feel so comfortable with asking for help and making mistakes in my work, and, thanks to them, I am able to address any ambiguity that I may have in various instances confidently.
Finally, I am prepared. PS1 has prepared me so much for middle school and many things afterwards. Without the care that the teachers have provided for me, I would even now be that shy girl that I was in kindergarten, and not the confident person that I have become.
My experience at PS1 has been such a gift to me, and great adventures have come from hiding within the wrapping paper. However, as Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet, once said, “All good things must come to an end”. And although I don’t want to believe it, here I am at the end of one great thing, and yet, at the start of another.
Words from Sharon Dai and Eric Zabinski:
Dear Sarah – we cannot believe more than six years have passed since your first day at PS1. We remember it vividly – it was certainly a more emotional day for us than for you. You have grown and blossomed so much in those years, from a shy, quiet kindergartener into a confident graduate. We have so very much loved to watch you develop into the amazing young lady you are! We love how curious you are – so eager and open to trying new things, to exploring all that the world has to offer – and we admire the high standard you set for yourself in everything you do. We appreciate your serious, focused and hard-working side and, just as much, your lighthearted, playful and childish one. We are so happy that you are able and willing to stand up for yourself and for others and to listen to your inner voice as guide. And we truly love your kind heart and warm smile. We are extremely excited for you as you begin your next chapter! We are your greatest cheerleaders and will be there to support you every step of the way!
Love, mom and dad
2022-2023
2017-2018
2016-2017
You are a lot fun! You are always welcoming when someone wants to play. You are a sweet person who is always up to playing. You have kind things in your heart. You are always working hard and your work always looks good. You are very sensitive like me and that is special because then you feel things harder than other people. That makes you different and special.
You make up great clubs, and you always let people join. You are really sweet and you always want to play with us. You are really good at sports, handwriting and reading. You double check your work every time. You are really nice because if you don’t have someone to play with, you’ll let them play with you. You never give up, like when you tried to skip two bars - if you didn’t do it on the first try, you’d tried again and again until you made it.
2018-2019
I noticed you put so much effort into our Circle Time. You try to be happy even through hard times. You are so prepared and ready for what will happen next. You have good ideas and listen to others’ ideas. You play with fairness and advocate for many. You never give up and always try hard. You help me when I get nervous. Many of us look up to you.
5, 6, 7, 8! You are such a funny, sweet, and loving person. I am so happy how our friendship has grown this year. You’re good at almost everything. I am impressed with how good you are at math, you make it look really easy. You are so nice for trying to teach me how to do the splits, even though it didn’t work out so well. From helping me in math when I am confused, to sharpening up my horrible gymnastics skills, you have truly been an incredible friend.
2020-2021
You are so nice, lovely and amazing! You’re a great classmate and friend because you are always there for all of your friends. Even though I have only known you for a year, we have become so close as friends, and as slideshow-making partners. You always keep me on task and you inspire me by doing hard things. There is no math problem you can’t solve. It was really fun to make the math song with you. You’re a great writer, you write long thoughtful paragraphs. I think you are one of the smartest people in class
2021-2022
I love how you don’t give up and always want to try new things! I also appreciate how optimistic you are. I truly admire the hard work and dedication that you put into your dance classes.You are arguably the best acrobat/ putting your leg over your head person ever! Your confidence and determination are such amazing parts of your personality, and you’re never afraid to showcase them. You never back down from exceeding expectations, stepping out of your comfort zone, and taking on a challenge! You give what’s asked for and more, and in the process, you know how amazing this is of you and you never stop loving yourself. Being your friend is always uplifting and enjoyable because of the way you can lighten any mood, make me smile on any kind of day.
You are a great friend. It is just super fun talking to you because you keep me entertained at all times; ever since we became friends in Middles, you have been really reliable and supportive. You always have positive energy and positive thoughts, and you make everyone smile when you walk through the door. You care when people are not at their best. Whenever I am stuck with my homework, you always help. You are so good at everything you do. You are very passionate. I see how you always try your hardest, and because you work hard, you always succeed. It was super fun to learn about Mountain Pygmy Possums with you. You are a really devoted dancer and I still don’t know how you get your leg up so high. You are such a kind person that “kind” is not even a word to describe you. You bring light and laughter to the class.