The Lower School community gathered on June 9 for the beloved Daisy Ceremony, a cherished Nightingale tradition that celebrates Class IV students as they prepare to begin their Middle School journey.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Head of Lower School Rebecca J. Urciuoli, PhD, who reflected on the accomplishments of students across every grade level and recognized several members of the Lower School professional community whose contributions have helped shape the division. Turning her attention to the Class of 2034, Dr. Urciuoli reflected on the students’ five-year journey through the Lower School.

“I can tell each and every one of you that we will always remember you and the sparkle you have brought to the fourth floor these past five years,” she told the class. Dr. Urciuoli praised the class for their leadership, academic accomplishments, creativity, and commitment to community, particularly the relationships they built with their Kindergarten buddies.

She also shared reflections that students had submitted about their Lower School experience. Their responses highlighted lessons about perseverance, kindness, friendship, bravery, and belonging.

“In Lower School, I’ve learned the real importance of a community and how much more fun it is to be part of one than go through everything alone,” one student wrote.

When asked what they hoped would always remain true about the Lower School, students described it as “a safe place where ideas grow, where people grow, and help is always there for you,” and a place that would “always shine.”

Music, a hallmark of the Daisy Ceremony, filled the morning as each Lower School grade performed a song chosen especially for Class IV. Kindergarten students performed “Oh My Goodness, Look at This Mess,” while Class I shared “What I Am.” Class II and Class III sang “Zoo” and “Dai Dai” that encouraged confidence, resilience, and perseverance as the fourth graders prepared for their next chapter.

Head of School Mr. Paul Burke reflected on the messages embedded in the performances and the lessons they offered the graduating class. Drawing from the songs’ lyrics, he reminded students that they already possess the qualities they need to succeed in their next chapter.

“The best part of getting older is that you recognize, in some of the hard moments,

that you can get through it, that you’ve been through them,” Mr Burke said. “And when you get to [Head of Middle School] Ms. Durrani, who’s awesome, like you’re awesome, you’re going to be able to tell her, ‘Ms. Durrani: We know this already.’ We’ve gotten through hard stuff. We can do hard things—we are the Nightingale Class of 2034.”

Mr. Burke also encouraged students to thank the teachers, families, and mentors who supported them throughout their Lower School years, and he reflected on the lasting influence of departing faculty members, including Lower School Performing Arts Faculty Ms. Mary Beth Alexander and Groups Teacher Mrs. Laura Hale.

The ceremony culminated with performances by Class IV, who sang Taylor Swift’s “Long Live” and a special rendition of Panic! At The Disco’s “High Hopes” featuring new lyrics they had written themselves. The entire Lower School then joined together to sing the school song, “For Nightingale.”

Each Class IV then picked up a daisy and formed an archway along the stage in the auditorium. One by one, each Lower School student passed underneath them, until finally, it was Class IV’s turn. Students beamed as they passed through the long-awaited tradition, emerging as Middle Schoolers.

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