Officials also recognize 50th anniversary of the school
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
HAMILTON — Fourth graders at Robinson Elementary School closed the school’s 50th year with a blast Tuesday at the annual rocket launch event.
The event, which began in 1974, was held under cloudy skies with students, parents, teachers and state legislators as well as local and county officials watching.
Jay Morris, principal of the school, lauded the hard work of the students from constructing the rockets themselves to performing field training.
”I am so proud of the fourth-grade students this year at Robinson Elementary School,” Mr. Morris said. “What an incredible process the fourth graders went through.”
He also recognized Jerry Iacona, a former teacher at the school who instituted the event.
”Without Mr. Iacona this program would not what it is today,” he said.
Mayor Kelly A. Yaede also recognized Mr. Iacona and the hard work of the students.
”I’d like to thank you, Jerry, for bringing Rocket Day yet again and for what you started here,” Mayor Yaede said.
She also honored school officials as the school commemorates a half-century of excellence.
”Principal Morris I would like to acknowledge and thank you for all that you’ve done and to the staff, faculty, the parents and the students you’ve made Robinson an outstanding institution,” she said.
Mr. Iacona, welcoming parents and other onlookers to the event, noted it was the students’ call to go forward despite the threat of rain.
”I had a very important meeting with the fourth graders yesterday,” he said. “They decided that we would go for Rocket Day and look at today — perfect weather conditions.
Mr. Iacona thanked all the guests as well as faculty and staff for continuing to support the program.
”Robinson School I consider my home,” he said. “To launch rockets on this field is very special to me and this year very special to these students.”
State Sen. Linda Greenstein, D-14, briefly discussed legislation she sponsored along with Assemblymen Dan Benson and Wayne DeAngelo to make Rocket Day “an important feature in all of the schools in the state of New Jersey.”
”We tout it everywhere we go because it’s such an important bill, this is just an important project,” Sen. Greenstein said.
As the final rockets were making their descent, fourth graders James Dean and Madison Bressler, each said they enjoyed the experience of Rocket Day.
”I think it’s a great way to learn more about math and science,” James said. “It’s a great experience.”
Madison agreed.
”It’s great that we have the opportunity to do this,” she said, noting she learned a great deal about communication in addition the technical aspects of the project.
Mr. Iacona instituted the annual event nearly 40 years ago after finding a kit of rockets under the school stage. Each year since the event has become more and more involved.
In 1984, the school became a charter chapter of the Young Astronaut Council, which administers the Young Astronaut Program, a nationwide education initiative for pre-school, elementary, middle and junior high school students to encourage and promote the study of science, math and technology, according to Mr. Iacona.
In addition to the 63 model rockets launched by fourth graders, another shot into the sky carrying the school’s brave “Eggstronaut.”
While the yolk-filled traveler sustained a crack during its perilous journey, it managed to avoid getting scrambled on its way down to the school field.

