The fourth grade students participated in a grade-wide Ellis Island simulation, as the 9th floor was transformed into "The Great Hall" and various other stations.  Each student received a "persona" of an immigrant in the year 1900, including a name, age, health status, country of origin, religious and political beliefs and an amount of money to be brought to America.  Students expanded on this information and wrote individual biographies.  Parents and administrators volunteered to be the officials, and each student came to school dressed as their person.  Students experienced firsthand what it might have been like to go through Ellis Island in the year 1900.  Some sick and infirm immigrants were deported, others bribed their way their way in, and still others sailed through without a hitch.  Some even had their names changed.  Thank you to everyone who participated!