Second grade students from Mrs. Collier’s class, as well as Mrs. Shuta and Mrs. Cifuni’s combined class, performed a short musical at the Balmville Elementary School in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District on Thursday.
The musical, called A Rumpus in the Rainforest, was performed in front of the students’ families. It was an extension of a science unit the students participated in on ecosystems. The students auditioned for their roles and rehearsed for nearly four weeks.
Many of the students in the show are ENL (English as a New Language) students, or have IEP’s (Individualized Education Program). The show allowed for all of the students to come together to showcase their talents outside of test scores.
Each student rose to the occasion and exceeded the audience’s expectations. After the show, Collier said, “It’s an amazing feeling for a teacher when every student can walk out of the school doors and feel proud of what they accomplished.”
