Currents in Education

Students get immigration experience, learn the value of a vote

By Melissa Wood

Fourth graders at Coastal Ridge Elementary School are sworn in as U.S. citizens at a grand finale to their day-long immigration simulation on Friday.
Photo by Melissa Wood
YORK - Fourth graders at Coastal Ridge Elementary School have a new understanding of what some of their ancestors had to go through to receive the rights and privileges that are often taken for granted by Americans, such as free speech, freedom of religion and the right to vote.

On Friday, March 23, students experienced an all-day immigration simulation where they pretended to be immigrants coming to America from far and wide, venturing into Ellis Island and undergoing citizenship tests to finally realize the dream of American citizenship.

"This is a great project," said Superintendent in Schools Dr. Henry Scipione, who was on hand to welcome the students at a ceremony at the end of the day where Principal Jane Stephenson administered the citizenship oath to the students. "It's really neat."

Scipione told the students that he welcomed them to this land on behalf of all citizens.

"I know this has been difficult for you," he said, "but your reward is soon to be presented to you."

He called their swearing-in as United States citizens an extremely important step that they should not take into account lightly.

"You should consider yourself very lucky to be able to cast your vote," he said.

In the morning students had undergone a battery of tests at the mock Ellis Island stations where they had to meet strict requirements and face random denials from immigration officials.

Tests included checking their health and making sure that the potential U.S. citizens possessed "good moral characters." Students were also asked what they were going to do in the country, who they knew here and to find an adult sponsor.

Their reward for undergoing those rigorous tests came near the end of the day when Stephenson administered the citizenship oath. Friday's mock immigrants were the last group of fourth graders at Coastal Ridge that will have the outgoing principal administer the oath.

"I now declare you citizens of the United States of America," she told the cheering crowd.

The day marks the sixth year the school has held an immigration simulation. The presentation was led by Michael Harris, technology integration specialist for the school, who brought along his guitar and was joined onstage by Lynn Sheehan dressed as the Statue of Liberty.

Parent volunteer Lori Insko was recognized for coordinating the event, but she said it was a collaborative effort.

"The parents are all so willing to volunteer," said Insko. "That's what's made it so real for the kids."

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