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06/05/2023 04:14 PMThe East Haven Class of 2030 is harboring their thoughts for the future in their minds and beneath the ground with the burial of a time capsule at Momauguin Elementary School on May 26.
The fifth-grade classes under teachers Kristin Lemonas and Caitlin McGuire were visited by state and local officials that afternoon for the burial of a capsule that will remain in the ground for the next 20 years and whose contents must be kept unknown, as promised by the students.
The idea for the time capsule came about from brainstorming a number of end-of-the-year ideas for the two fifth-grade classes’ final year at the school, according to Parents/Teachers Organization president Tina Hedley.
Principal Adam Swinney said that the burial of the capsule represents a moment of reflection and “of togetherness” upon where students are now and where they will be heading.
“It’s an opportunity to recommit to their education. It’s important that we can have moments where there [is] the space you reflect and gather memories, and looking ahead to the future and what’s next for them as they go on to middle school,” said Swinney.
Along with placing a personal note, the students were tasked with answering five questions, with their written responses then placed inside the capsule. Those questions and their answers are not to be shared under any circumstances by the students, as they were instructed not to disclose that information.
With their answers secured for the burial of the capsule, the students were then instructed to raise their right hands and make the following pledge:
“This said time capsule will not be disturbed or retried to the agreed-upon date in 20 years, making it year 2043. The integrity and the contents of said time capsule will remain privileged information for all of whom sworn to agreement here today with their right hand raised.”
Until it is lifted from beneath the ground in two decades, the students were also tasked to coordinate and determine a date that year for the capsule to be unearthed. It is once a plan is formulated with the agreement of all students that the capsule can then be hoisted from the ground, and they can retrieve the contents inside.
Mayor Joseph Carfora was present at the event and remarked on the burial of the capsule.
“I am thrilled to witness the enthusiasm and creativity of our students as they place a time capsule to capture the essence of their lives in this moment. This strengthens their connection to our community and also reminds us all of the power of preserving our history for future generations. In 20 years, when this capsule is opened, it will serve as a reminder of the dreams, aspirations, and resilience of these young minds, showcasing the power of time, change, and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.”
State assembly members Representative Joseph Zullo and Senator Christine Cohen were also witnesses to the capsule’s burial.
Hedley reflected on the significance of the event for fifth-graders as one of the several tip-of-the-hats to their final year at Momauguin School.
“I feel like [the kids] have been through so much with COVID and remote learning…it wasn’t a normal elementary school experience for them. I just wanted to make their last year special,” said Hedley.
She said it meant a lot for the students that Mayor Carfora and Sen. Cohen were present at the burial of the capsule, too. Rep. Zullo’s presence was very important for them as well, said Hedley.
“When the kids see the mayor, they’re like, ‘Oh, my goodness, the mayor’s here!’ They get all excited…I just think it shows the significance of how important this is, that they’re the future…and that they matter. It’s nice that the kids know that,” said Hedley. “Joe Zullo is always a huge supporter of Momauguin. He helps us with our t-shirts and our yearbooks, and he’s always showing up to high five with the kids.”
Before its burial, the capsule was passed around for each student to be able to touch as a “kind of like a little bit of a wave” before their time at Momauguin concludes, said Hedley.
“They’re a great group of kids, and they have such a great strong friendship…watching these kids from kindergarten to fifth grade, you watch them develop and make their little groups and their friendships…I don’t know how to explain it!”