Forever Edgewood

Ever year at this time, first graders step into the spotlight for one of Edgewood's grandest and most endearing traditions, the Thanksgiving Assembly.  The energy is palpable as the first graders spill into the hallway, just minutes before their performance in front of family members and the entire school.

In a matter of minutes, they will experience something that they will remember for many years to come and will forever define them as Edgewood students. In a matter of minutes, they will sing the classic song Hey Pilgrims, and be joined by older Edgewood schoolmates in the audience, who will sing and tap along because it takes them back to their first grade.

Edgewood students donated 28 boxes
of food to the Salvation Army.

The Thanksgiving Assembly is about reflecting on our many reasons to be grateful and remembering those in need. The fourth and fifth grade chorus sang songs of gratitude and hope. And Edgewood students collected 28 boxes of food and presented them to a representative of the Salvation Army. But it's the song Hey Pilgrims that provides the soundtrack for the day. It's a song that lyrically tells the story of the first Pilgrims and their journey to freedom, but musically reminds us that we are forever Edgewood. - Paul Tomizawa

Mr. Brown (cello) and Ms. Forte (piano) lead
the fourth and fifth grade chorus.

Edgewood U Finale

Edgewood University, the building-wide collaborative learning experience, in which staff and students explored more than 20 special interest topics, has ended its ground-breaking and at times inspiring six Friday semester. The concept of Edgewood U was driven by a desire to rethink school, in which learning is driven by passion and the need to develop skills for learning, rather than an obligation to absorb content. Below is a great write-up on our Edgewood U experience.
- Paul Tomizawa

Being Thankful

Mr. Brown and Ms. Forte lead
4th grade chorus

During the Thanksgiving Assembly, the fourth grade chorus sent its audience a reminder, intentional or not after a testy presidential election, that despite our differences, people have more in common than they realize. Here's a sampling of the lyrics from their song Colors of the Wind.

You think the only people who are people

Are the people who look and think like you

But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger

You'll learn things you never knew you never knew

Nice touch before sending the Edgewood community into a holiday weekend filled with reflection and gratitude.

Our Song

At the Moving Up ceremony, graduating 5th graders sang the Edgewood School Song one last time. It's always moving and fascinating to see Edgewood students singing their school anthem from memory and with pride. Mostly because Edgewood is the only school in Scarsdale where students routinely sing their song. In fact, it's believed that only two of the elementary schools have their own songs. Former Edgewood music teachers Dorothy Bench and Ernest Villas wrote this song in 1979 to commemorate the school's 60th anniversary. Little did they know that the song they had written to honor Edgewood's history, would one day become a beloved part of it. -- Paul Tomizawa

The Edgewood School Song
Words and Music by Dorothy Bench and Ernest Villas (1979)

Ernest Villas (1979)

In Scarsdale town there’s a special place called Edgewood

Where friendly people live on tree-lined streets

And children’s voices fill the air with laughter and in play

About a place that we would surely say…

Edgewood School is the finest place to be
Edgewood School kids and teachers all agree

That we’re number one both in school and fun

Edgewood School’s the place to be

Edgewood School where our friendships grow each day

Edgewood School both in class and where we play

And our friends we’ll see by the rock at three

Pals forever we will be

All these memories we will cherish

And in future years we’ll sing:

Oh Edgewood School you’re the best of everything!

Edgewood School where our talents all have grown

Edgewood School through the teachers we have known

Dorothy Bench (2008)

And the Fair in May by the PTA

Is the highlight of the year

Edgewood School we will someday say goodbye

Edgewood School and in junior, senior high

We will hail the fame and salute the name 

Of our dear old Edgewood School!

Thanksgiving Tradition

Mr. Brown leads Pilgrims
in song.

     In the Edgewood community, Thanksgiving doesn't begin, until first grade enters the gym. For 24 years, first graders have been the centerpiece of this holiday assembly. They sing about family, gratitude, and the first Thanksgiving. And while the morning also includes songs of liberty and enlightenment from fourth and fifth graders and marks an end to our PTA sponsored food drive featuring a donation of 30 boxes of food to the Salvation Army this year, it’s the first graders who send heartwarming reminders of why we are grateful to call Edgewood our home. 

     Before the performance begins, they enter from the back of the gym dressed as lady and gentleman Pilgrims. They look surprisingly bold, given the attention about to be heaped on them. Late arriving parents, suddenly discover the perks of SRO spots, and snap pictures of backstage rituals. First grade teachers (Mrs. Cucolo, Mrs. Lamonaca, Mrs. Mangiamele) beam with words of encouragement, while making last moment adjustments to aprons and hats. 

     And when Ms. Forte begins playing a light piano melody of the classic Edgewood Thanksgiving assembly song, Hey Pilgrims, the first graders enter the gym, two by two. Parents rise and hold their phones and cameras steady for this once-in-a-lifetime event. Older students well up with nostalgia as they flash back to their time as Pilgrims. And upper grade teachers, watch the procession with an eye on the possibilities that are budding within each child and they imagine, "Someday a tree." This is how we begin Thanksgiving at Edgewood. 
   
 Listen to first graders singing the classic Hey Pilgrims here.
- Paul Tomizawa