Krieger Elementary School's fifth annual State Float and Brochure Museum was packed with an abundance of energy and enthusiasm radiating from the fifth-grade student creators.

Learning about the geography of the United States continues to be an exciting topic in elementary schools across the country. Not only does geography open up students' awareness to what is around them locally and globally, it helps students make sense of the complexity and interconnectedness of the world around them. The Poughkeepsie City School District's mission of preparing "all students to embark on individual paths of success in a globally diverse community" requires that all students understand the similarities and uniqueness of the nation's 50 states as a starting point to embarking on individual journeys that will lead to success.

With the support of Cynthia O'Herron, Krieger art teacher; Dorothy Luongo, Krieger librarian; and Stacy Grady, Krieger music teacher; teachers Andrea Boccio, Skip Hoover, Jennie Hennie, Kelly Rooney, Brian Hatfield, and Jackie Clyburn’s fifth-grade students researched the 50 states and each created a float and travel brochure that represented a state of choice, highlighting its places and unique and interesting qualities.

They presented the floats Thursday to the school's fourth graders, family members and leaders from the Elementary department and Office of the Superintendent, and fielded questions.

The program started with students singing “50 Nifty United States,” in which they proclaimed New York was the best of all states. 

Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, superintendent of schools, spoke with the only student who chose to create a float of his home state of Ohio, quizzing him on which was the state bird and what are the names of the state’s three major cities. Rosser said he passed the questioning with flying colors, only struggling a bit in pronouncing Cincinnati, Rosser's birth city. The superintendent said he got a kick out of seeing various highlights of the states in which he’s lived, represented in the many floats.

Boccio noted many of her English as a New Language parents appreciate the event, as it not only educates their children but provides parents with a greater understanding of the geography of the U.S. 

As with previous years, the state float research project was based on standards in ELA and social studies. It also provided students with an opportunity to write letters to their chosen states, asking for literature and information about attractions in the state.

Before permitting the fourth graders and parents to walk the gallery, Carolyn Fields, Krieger Elementary principal, thanked the fifth-grade team, O'Herron, Luongo, Grady, and Krieger lead custodian Kristopher Bottoms and the custodial staff for their support and "hard work in preparing our students for this day.”