The following article was produced by Ms. Thompson's Grade 4 Class at Totoket Valley Elementary School, North Branford:

Students of North Branford Public Schools had the opportunity of a lifetime on February 6, 2018 to attend a Naturalization Ceremony at the North Branford auditorium. This live court-session ceremony was made possible by TVES/NBIS parent Monica Watson-Cucchiarelli and TVES principal Carter Welch. Approximately 500 students in grades 4, 5, 8, 10, and 12 from the North Branford Schools had the privilege of attending.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is reaching out to public schools, sponsored the ceremony for 30 immigrants who came from 18 different countries on five different continents. "Immigration is a giant thing because you walk into the Naturalization Ceremony and you are about to become a new citizen," said Gavin Leone, a fourth grade student from Totoket Valley Elementary School.

Judge Joan G. Margolis, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Connecticut, presided over the ceremony which opened with patriotic songs from the North Branford High School Jazz Band. The North Branford Cub and Boy Scouts then carried the flags as the audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.  The featured speakers were principal of Totoket Valley Elementary,  Carter Welch, Superintendent of North Branford Schools, Mr. Scott Schoonmaker, and Superintendent of Branford Schools, Hamlet Hernandez. They talked about the educational value of the ceremony for students and famous immigrants who have made an impact on our country and world, and Mr. Hernandez who came from an immigrant family himself, spoke of the courage and bravery it takes to make a life in a new country.

One immigrant from Peru had trouble learning English, but she had to learn quickly to translate for her sister who was only five at the time. "And it didn't help that I was really shy," she reported. She was here for 19 years before becoming naturalized. Another Cape Verde immigrant got sick because of the colder climate here in Connecticut.  Through the process students even discovered that their own bus driver was a naturalized immigrant from Russia.

The highlights of the ceremony included the Calling of Countries, the Oath of Allegiance, and the Awarding of Certificates.  It ended with a reception in the auditorium for the 30 new citizens of the United States of America and their families. From that day forward, these immigrants will have the right to be free, to vote,  to get a U.S. passport and enjoy all the other civil rights as Americans. The experience was amazing for students and immigrants alike.

The following note was shared by TVES principal Dr. Carter Welch Ed.D., orginally sent to members of the district involved with the ceremony:

February 7, 2018: I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your efforts in making yesterday's Naturalization Ceremony a huge success. Each of you brought a personal touch to the experience that made it so special and memorable for all. Beyond this, each of you jumped right in even though it was a new and unknown experience for all of us. Your collective willingness to take a risk and share yourselves with me throughout this process helped us convey to all that North　Branford is a true community, one that any citizen would be lucky to be a part of...and one that I am certainly proud to be a part of.

I was so proud of all the students in attendance. They were so respectful, well-behaved, polite, and genuinely invested in the experience and it was a joy to watch. So many of the candidates commented to me about how kind the students were in greeting them and what a wonderful experience it was for them to interact with students after the ceremony in the reception in the band room. They also commented how wonderful the auditorium looked with flags, pictures, words of inspiration and recognition for each of them.　 They appreciated deeply the letters, flowers, and photograph opportunities that were presented to each of them and their families. So many candidates took extra effort to thank Scott, Hamlet and I for the incredible experience. Many of them thought it would be a procedural and impersonal experience and they were genuinely overwhelmed with the personal touch the ceremony provided to them.

Regarding the ceremony they appreciated the words spoken from Judge Margolis and Hamlet Hernandez and they valued the experience to shake hands and be welcomed by all of us. They loved the pre-ceremony music from the NBHS Jazz Band, the NB Scouts presenting the colors and leading the pledge, the spirited National Anthem, and the moving choral rendition of God Bless America. They adored the reception, the food, the cake, and the kindness demonstrated by our students, and how much our students wanted to learn about them and from them. Most touching to all of them was the standing ovation they received from our 600 students and staff in attendance.

​As I reflect on the day I felt pride to have our community be so appreciated by visitors. I felt pride to see such respect, kindness, and leadership in all our students. But perhaps most deeply I felt blessed to have experienced the emotion and beauty of this experience...to be reminded of risk, work ethic, perseverance, freedom, and the American Dream and how fortunate each of us is to have the lives we do. I remain changed from this experience and the respect I have for our immigrants and citizens has deepened tremendously.

To summarize it all, the words of a fourth grader who shared with me her thoughts of the day: "Those people were so kind and so happy to be a part of America, I sure hope everyone in our country is always kind to them". No truer words could be spoken!

Again,　thank you for all that you did to make yesterday amazing. It could not have happened without each of you.  I am honored to work with each of you, and I am grateful to have your trust, collaboration, and creative support. Like all of you, I feel blessed to have been a part of this experience. ​I will be sure to share photos and student reflections from the experience as we continue to summarize them.

With sincere gratitude,

Carter