The Sag Harbor Elementary School community gathered on the Pierson back field to celebrate the fifth grade moving-up ceremony, honoring students as they completed their elementary school journey and prepared to begin a new chapter at Pierson Middle School.

The ceremony featured heartfelt reflections from students, who took turns sharing memories and lessons from their years at Sag Harbor Elementary. Together, they recounted experiences that shaped their growth both inside and outside the classroom.

As they looked back on each grade level, students highlighted milestones along the way. In first grade, they became stronger readers, improved their handwriting skills and planted seeds in the school garden. In second grade, they became authors, writing and publishing books to share with others. Third grade transformed them into virtual
world travelers, while fourth grade introduced them to the early history of New York State.

As fifth graders, they embraced their roles as the oldest students in the school community. They reflected on becoming more confident and independent learners through field trips, collaborative projects and deeper classroom discussions. Students explored how cultural beliefs and values influence people and societies, studied literary techniques and developed research, editing and presentation skills through projects including the school’s annual wax museum.

Students celebrated the many clubs, activities and enrichment opportunities that helped them discover interests beyond the classroom. They reflected on learning new languages to better understand the world around them. Demonstrating this commitment to cultural understanding, two students delivered portions of the ceremony in their primary language followed by the Spanish or English translation.

The graduates also shared memories of their relationships with their kindergarten buddies, a cherished tradition that allowed them to mentor and connect with the school’s youngest learners.

Principal Matt Malone addressed the graduates, reflecting on this year’s school theme, carpe diem, or “seize the day.”

“In today’s culture, we often hear messages about moving fast and constantly hustling,” Malone said. “But carpe diem is really about harvesting the day and savoring it. Take time to enjoy each moment before you. Pierson has so much to offer you. Get involved, challenge yourself, continue with your interests, join clubs, make new friends, and give yourself time to think, grow, and learn. On behalf of all of us in the district, congratulations. We are so proud of you.”

Following his speech, students stood one by one as their names were announced, formally recognizing their transition to middle school.

The celebration concluded with a touching rendition of the Sag Harbor Elementary School song, a tradition familiar from the school’s daily morning program. With arms around one another, students sang together one final time as elementary school students.