Pingry’s fifth-grade students, the Lower School’s Class of 2026, were recognized for their achievements and their contributions to the Lower School, and began their transition to Middle School, when the Lower School held its annual Moving Up Day on June 5.
Lower School Director Dr. Alyssa Johns pointed out that this year’s fifth-grade class began their Lower School years during one of the most unusual times in history, but they did not let those challenges define them—they were flexible, patient, and resilient while dealing with face shields, plexiglass dividers, and more. Their legacy includes helping to create the CARES framework (CARES is the Lower School’s version of the Honor Code), appearing in the first iteration of the Grade 3 Jazz Showcase (spring 2024), and being part of Kindergarten Teacher Kendall Davies’ first class (2020-21). Dr. Johns urged them to “continue to lead with integrity, embrace kindness…and have the courage to stand up for what is right.”
A portion of the program was devoted to a screening of the Season 3 Finale of Big Blue News, the Lower School’s Friday morning news program usually shown only in homerooms. This special episode focused, of course, on Grade 5, with questions such as “What do you hope to aspire or achieve in your life?”, “What was your favorite Pingry event?”, and their feelings about starting Middle School (their facial expressions accompanied by emojis said it all!).
Members of Student Council were recognized with certificates, and they were lauded for their “poise and maturity” as ambassadors when the NJAIS (New Jersey Association of Independent Schools) Accreditation Committee visited the Lower School in April.
The Grade 5 homeroom teachers, Austin Applegate (math), Anne Becker (social studies), Jeff Cohen (science), and Milloni Shah (language arts), reflected on the past year by presenting the class with intangible gifts: the gift of persistence (math teachers), the gift of your voice (language arts teachers), the gift of curiosity (science teachers), and the gift of perspective.
Addressing the students, Head of School Tim Lear spoke about a book he had given each of them when they received their certificate: Awkward Family Photos by Mike Bender ’93 and Doug Chernack ’92. Mr. Lear told them what he wishes he had known in Middle School: that everyone else feels just as awkward. Mr. Bender shared his own sentiment for the ceremony, that “awkwardness has been around since the beginning of time…your mission is to embrace it and celebrate it.”
Thirty-two students were recognized for attending Pingry since Kindergarten, and the ceremony included three annual honors that are named for former Lower School teachers and families:
Auchincloss Award (showing the most concern for others)—Ranjan Arampulikan, William Huang, and Zachary Smith
Evelyn M. Chester Achievement Prize (amount and quality of sustained effort dedicated to both academic pursuits and personal growth)—Louisa Courtenay-Whelton, Adam Sverdlov, and Surya Pullatt
Joann M. Jackson Citizenship Award (exemplifying the Honor Code through actions)—Bretton Calcaño, Mark Savin, and Liliane Song
Contact: Greg Waxberg ’96, Assistant Director of Communications, Writer/Editor