Lawrence Middle School toots its horn

The Lawrence Middle School auditorium was all abuzz last Friday afternoon as fifth and sixth graders packed the room to hear the latest school news, view some entertainment and cheer for classmates and staff who were recognized for their achievements.

It was the third middle school “Town Hall” meeting of the school year and it appeared the students have not tired of these get-togethers presided over by Assistant Principal Rina Beach. The seventh and eight graders met in the morning.

“Amazing things are happening,” said Beach, who allowed the excited students to gather themselves in their seats and then called them to attention for the Pledge of Allegiance and to listen to the school’s Show Chorus sing the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Beach honored psychologists Jan Seidman and Esther Solomon, along with two women, who Beach noted “help keep everyone in our school safe,” as she introduced security guards Tina Capozzi and Nancy Jackowski. They received a rousing ovation as they accepted their plaques.

Sixth grade teacher Glenda Kampton was a STAR (Students to Teacher Appreciation and Recognition) card winner. Selected by students based on what a teacher has done and why they are the best. Student ROCK (Recognizing Outstanding Character in Kids) card winners Kristin Kelly won an iPod shuffle and Ruby Levine won the grand prize — a giant stuffed bear.

The students were reminded about the importance of reading as they watched a video made by Ocoee Middle School in Florida. A song sung to the tune of “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas fed the video’s message of “gotta keep reading” with lyrics such as “this book is gonna, gonna be a good book.”

“I love sitting with my friends and hearing the latest school news,” said fifth grader Dylan Finn, about why he likes these town hall meetings. Finn was fired up about winning a $5 gift card to the school store.

School participation was recognized as all the clubs were noted, including the Kenya Club that raised $1,095 through the sale of a Jets jersey, a Carmelo Anthony jersey and Movie Night for its partner school Ayany in Nairobi.

Peer Mediation with its slogan “Don’t Take it out, talk it out” received recognition and so did brother and sister Reed and Hannah Grantas who ran a clothing drive and Isabella Taveras and Jaylen Benjamin who sold handmade jewelry to raise money for South Oaks Child & Adolescent Center in Amityville.

Heather Goorland’s ESL class performed a mini-play about peer pressure and how not to make bad choices despite bullying from others. It was a message that resounded with student Safa Iylas.

“I learned that you shouldn’t be bullied and you shouldn’t do anything wrong to hurt somebody,” she said. Iylas also earned a $5 gift certificate to the school store for winning the fifth grade spelling bee.

Show-stopping moves were busted by seventh grade dance students, the Robotics Club displayed its vehicles made out of Legos and Quest students showed off their fire-making skills.

“They really love it and are into it,” said Beach about her students and these meetings.