Students Soar to Academic Success at Lew Muckle Summer Program

Singer Cherise King, a paraprofessional at Ricardo Richards Elementary School, motivates students with her original song, “You Were Born to Soar” at closing ceremony for Muckle School ELO Summer program.

About 50 students in grades K-5 reached for the sky by succeeding and achieving academically and socially at Lew Muckle Elementary School’s “Learning with Purpose Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) Summer Program,” June 27 to July 29, 2016.

The students, along with instructors, gathered at the Muckle cafeteria to showcase their month-long accomplishments and experiences in a culminating activity held for parents, friends and community stakeholders on Friday, July 29. The students highlighted their achievements and skills in English Language Arts, Mathematics, thematic project, social interaction and in other areas.

Summer program administrator, Muckle’s Assistant Principal Delicia Espinosa, espoused that the ELO summer program was busy and productive. “Students studied hard in mathematics and other subjects, played safely, and was appropriately corrected when found misbehaving,” she said. Espinosa thanked teachers who took time out of their summer break to spend time with the students enrolled in the summer program.

Students illustrated their experiences in song, drama and Power Point presentations by grades. Kindergarten students focused on the legislation that named the school after V.I. Senator Lew Muckle, who died at the tender age of 29 on May 5, 1971. First graders offered a profound history of the Lew Muckle Elementary School, while second grade students delved into the life of Senator Lew Muckle – a native son and leader. The history and development of Estate Sion Farm, where Muckle School is located, was depicted in a slideshow after third graders toured the landmark earlier, including the Lt. Governor’s mansion, the former estate great house. Fourth graders showcased pride in Lew Muckle Elementary School through an analysis and expression of their Alma Mater, naming prominent community residents who passed through the school doors. Fifth graders showcased their patriotic side by singing the Virgin Islands March, along with the U.S. National Anthem and Lift Every Voice and Sing.

Invited guests included Denise Lake, a former coordinator of the College Access Challenge Grant Program in the Virgin Islands. She encouraged the students to become conscious of a career path at an early stage in their lives. Also, songstress Cherise King, a paraprofessional at Ricardo Richards Elementary School, charged the summer school students to aspire for excellence with her original tune, “You Were Born to Soar.”

The students received certificates and gifts for perfect attendance, displaying good behavior, most improved student, high academic performance, for reaching Governor Kenneth Mapp’s Summer Reading Challenge, and for successfully developing their literacy capacities through Achieve 3000.

Muckle School Learning with Purpose ELO Summer Program instructors were Mandisa Williams, Kindergarten; Corrine James-Jeffers, 1^st grade; Kim Phillip, 2^nd grade; Pervril Frederick, 3^rd grade; Amanda Burton and Caroline Sackey-Lawrence, 4^th grade and Beatrice James, 5^th grade.