What began as a cursory look at Newburgh’s history in 5th grade library classes, evolved into deep historical dives. Scholars' efforts were bolstered by strong partnerships, culminating in some impressive research. The project is a continuation from last year when scholars met and worked with Staff Sgt. Chrissy Rivers of West Point and Mrs. Wright Jumpp, School Librarian on Honoring Our US Military with the creation of close to 100 eBooks. 

Visits that Inspired:

Classroom Visits: Early in the school year, scholars at HOH combined virtually with Mrs. Garcia-Omana’s & Ms. Rayford’s classes at Balmville and became fully engaged in classroom visits from Staff Sgt. Rivers, Purple Heart Veteran, Sgt. Paul Daw, City of Newburgh Historian, Mrs. McTamaney and NFL History Librarian, Mrs. Henricksen-Georghiou. Sgt. Daw shared harrowing yet heroic stories of serving in Vietnam, while Mrs. McTamaney and NFL History Librarians, Mrs. Henricksen-Georghiou & Ms. Quiroz created an eye-opening PowerPoint Presentation (PPP) exclusively for the project. Through, Newburghers In Wartime: From the War for Independence To the War on Terror PPP, scholars learned for the first time the significant contributions of Newburghers (including children and animals) in various war efforts. The storytelling of our guests captivated the hearts and minds of scholars who showered them with questions.

Newburgh Free Library Field Trip: HOH 5th graders visited the library and had a full agenda, rotating enthusiastically through stations involving a tour and scavenger hunt with Ms. Kate, a presentation on children's databases with Ms. Stephanie, a tour and presentation in the new Local History Room including a demonstrate of the microfilm machine with Ms. Heather & Ms. Karla and book talks and trivia with Ms. Sioban.

Enthusiasm Translates Into Research, Content Creation & Student-Driven Action

After classroom visits and the field trip, some scholars' interests were piqued and they felt motivated and inspired to do a deeper dive for their final research (Exhibition) project as detailed below. Their classroom teachers provided invaluable support. 

• History of Newburgh Free Library by Aniyah, Samiyah, Valerie and Viviana (Ms. Ciardullo’s/Mrs. Walker’s Class, also supported by Ms. Woody): 

Scholars communicated with NFL throughout their research, and for their presentation, they wore NFL buttons made especially for them as they assumed the role of ambassadors. In addition to their poster board detailing changes of the library over the years, they included two creative and detailed dioramas of the old and new NFL buildings.  Also, thanks to Ms. Stephanie, who entrusted them with important tasks, they distributed fliers promoting NFL's summer programs and helped create an online survey to ask for scholars’ opinions on services they would like to see. The survey will be used next school year. Scholars’ work was on display in the children's section of NFL. 

• Historic Buildings & Preservation in Newburgh by Elijah, Isaiah, Kimberly and Olivia (Mrs. Gonzalez-Heyes’ Class). 

This project focused on historic places that represent our diverse population in Newburgh such as The Crawford House, Dutch Reformed Church, AME Zion Church & St. Patrick’s Church and included two masterful dioramas, inspired by the 2022 - 23 Historic Preservation in Newburgh group’s diorama. They created a City of Newburgh, NY Historical Preservation Word Search which can be printed and used by members of our community.  Their work was also on display in the children's section of NFL.  

• History of American Railroads by Amirh, Angello, Bryce, Liam and Mike (Mrs. Gonzalez-Heyes’ & Ms. Ciardullo’s/Mrs. Walker’s Classes). This project examined different types of trains, changes in locomotives over time and included a skillful and colorful replica of a train. Scholars included a Call to Action supporting communities that have suffered from the hazards of freight train derailments. They also created a set of American Railroads bookmarks which can be printed and used by members of our community.

• Urban Renewal and Gentrification by Alex, Lynexx and Miguel (Mrs. Gonzalez-Heyes’ Class). These scholars spent hours scouring sources that explained the impact of these systemic issues, discovering how members of our Newburgh community have been affected and one boy even recognizing how Urban Renewal impacted the property on which he now resides. Scholars completed their research by offering resources that empower residents with tried and proven solutions. 
• Operation Hidden Support (War Facts) by Nadia & Rhodes (Mrs. Gonzalez-Heyes’ Class). 

This project leaned heavily on the Newburghers In Wartime PowerPoint and in addition to focusing on children and animals that have supported war efforts in Newburgh and elsewhere, they included odd military weapons. Thanks to the History Librarians for accommodating these scholars, their families, Mrs. Wright Jumpp & Mrs. Marguerite St.  Clair (HOH teacher) in the NFL History Room after school ended for the year, to build on the project and submit it to the New York State Archives Student Research Competition.

Balmville scholars culminated their part of the project with a Hometown Heroes Sip and Paint.  

More Photos | Collaborative Historical Research Took Center Stage at Horizons-on-the-Hudson

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I want to thank the NECSD community–HOH & Balmville scholars, their families and educators, our City Historian and the staff of NFL for your invaluable support.  Not only have we brought history to life AGAIN, but I truly believe that we have helped lay a foundation on which many of our scholars will build. - Mrs. Jumpp    

Photos and story information provided by Mrs. Michell Wright Jumpp, School Library Media Specialist. Mrs. Wright Jumpp's write-up can be found by clicking the following title link: Horizons-on-the-Hudson Poets are World Class!