On May 16 at Donald Stewart Early Childhood Center School No. 51, the Elizabeth Board of Education hosted an evening of performances in celebration of National Teachers Appreciation Week, National School Nurses Day, Haitian Heritage Month, Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, Cuban Day, and Multicultural Month. EBOE President Charlene Bathelus Dorgely welcomed everyone to the event and introduced Board Member Rosa Morena Ortega who sponsored the initiative Teacher Appreciation Week. Moreno Ortega shared the importance of supporting teachers and the joy she experienced while visiting teachers throughout Elizabeth Public Schools during Teacher Appreciation Week and the month of May.

The student performances for the evening included:

“More Than A Pathway” in honor of National School Nurses Day, performed by past and present students from Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. Health & Public Safety Academy and introduced by Moreno Ortega and Principal Christopher Van Vliet

“Thank You Teachers” in honor of National Teachers Appreciation Week, performed by students from Sonia Sotomayor School No. 25 and introduced by Moreno Ortega and Principal Christina Francisco

“The Heart of Haiti” in honor of Haitian Heritage Month, performed by students from Toussaint L’Ouverture – Marquis de Lafayette School No.  6 and introduced by Board Vice President Stanley Neron and Principal James Mondesir

“Jou a La-The Day Is Here” also in honor of Haitian Heritage Month, performed by students from Nicholas Murray Butler School No. 23 and introduced by Neron and Principal Berthenia Harmon-Carolina

“Taiwanese Indigenous Dance” in honor of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, performed by students from Dr. Orlando Edreira Academy School No. 26 @ 31 and introduced by Moreno Ortega and Principal Howard Teitelbaum

“Recuerdos de Cuba” in honor of Cuban Day, performed by students from Elmora School No. 12 and introduced by Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer and Principal Melissa Kulick

“Azucar” also in honor of Cuban Day, performed by students from Dr. Antonia Pantoja School No. 27 and introduced by Hugelmeyer and Vice Principal Valerie Delceg Burgos

“Um Cheirinho a Portugal - A Taste of Portugal” in honor of Multicultural Month, performed by students from Abraham Lincoln School No. 14 and introduced by Board Member Stephanie Goncalves Pestana and Principal Diane Matos Reis

“Portuguese Parade & the Legend of the Portuguese Rooster” also in honor of Multicultural Month, performed by students from Terence C. Reilly School No. 7 and introduced by Goncalves Pestana and Principal Jenny Reguinho