Buddies

By Amanda Zwilling

At Robert Seaman Elementary School in Jericho, kindergartners and fifth grade students have a special relationship as buddies. Such a bond exists between Mrs. Fastenberg's fifth grade class and Mrs. Fessler's kindergarten students.

The older and younger students have paired off, and once a week they share experiences together, learning and growing all the while.

A Grasp on the Past

On October 22 the fifth grade at South Grove Elementary School in Syosset visited the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Parents were invited to accompany their children. Upon arriving at Battery Park the students boarded a ferry for the island. Once there, they explored the statue, making the long climb to the top. Students looked for their ancestors' names on the Ellis Island Wall and examined their family history. Pictured are fifth graders Michael ElChami, Danny Grgas, Ryan Walsh, John Ciano, Jason Marchwinski, Sam Aiken, Jimmy Murphy and Scott Finz.

South Grove Swings to Gershwin Standards

South Grove students were recently treated to the wonderful music of George Gershwin, performed by the talented Dennis Kobray, skilled actor and musician. Kobray introduced the students to a myriad of Gershwin's ragtime, jazz and classical tunes. The children learned about his life as well as his music such as the popular Porgy and Bess standards and Rhapsody in Blue. The assembly was coordinated by the South Grove Cultural Arts program and was chaired by Pat Aiken.

Local Girl Playing Violin at Old Westbury Concert

Elizabeth Kobak, a Jericho student from Cantiague Elementary School, will perform on the violin at the Old Westbury Gardens Mansion on Sunday, December 7. Kobak is one of 28 C.W. Post Campus Suzuki Music School string players under the direction of Marilyn K. Smith. Music by Seitz, Shumann, Bach, Brahms and Dvorak are on the concert program.

The concert begins at 2 p.m. and admission to the concert is included with the Old Westbury Gardens admission fee. The public is welcome to enjoy the music and tour the mansion, which will be decorated in holiday splendor.