A cool breeze blew through the yard at Lincoln School on April 19, lifting the edges of a large white tent under which students, teachers, and public officials gathered for a celebration of the Week of the Young Child.
For over 19 years, the Bayonne School District has gathered in April to celebrate the accomplishments of the elementary schools, said Schools Superintendent Dr. Patricia McGeehan. Each year, the district celebrates at a different school, and this year, Lincoln Community School hosted the event.
“We are supporting the national theme that the ‘Early years are the learning years,’ ” McGeehan said. “A lot of time and effort goes into a celebration like this. Dr. Degnan [the school’s principal] started this over a year ago.”
“We are supporting the national theme that the `Early years are the learning years.’” – Dr. Patricia McGeehan
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Circus circus
This year, Lincoln School adopted a theme of a circus, with students and teachers performing songs, dressing up in costumes, and filling the school auditorium with games and other features typically found at a carnival.
Kids performed songs such as “Five Little Monkeys,” “The Kindergarten Clown Dance,” “Take Me Out to the Circus,” and other tunes.
Principal Dennis Degnan, acting as ringmaster, praised the teachers in his school and other Bayonne schools, saying that the community is fortunate to have such a caring and committed staff.
“Our early childhood teachers educate and care for young children on a daily basis,” he said. “They are helping these children build a learning foundation that will get them ready for high school, post secondary education, and support them throughout their lives.”
He said the circus theme reflected childhood in play, and Degnan asked how many in the audience ever wanted to run away at an early age and join the circus.
“How many of you dream of becoming performers, such as acrobats, clowns, musicians and other stunt-oriented artists?” he asked. “We at Lincoln Community School are excited to present the ‘Greatest Show in Town.’”
Ironically, Jonathan R. Lax, band director for the school, actually did just that when he was younger.
“I was in the international ‘All Star Circus,’ ” he recalled during the event. “No one would talk to me for the first week I was there.”
Mayor Mark Smith told the kids that they had started this week off great.
“This is the best Monday morning I’ve had in a long time,” he said.
He said while the kids had fun putting on the show, they were also learning a valuable lesson about what it takes to put together a performance.
“Behind all that hard work is a lesson,” he said. “You are learning the lesson of a strong foundation, what a good education can do for you. That anything worth having – any show you put on – you have to work hard.”
He said when he comes to schools, he is filled with hope.
“Whenever I look at you, I know the future of Bayonne is bright,” he said.