From First Steps to Final Cheers: How Two Birch Students Are Moving Up and Moving On
This past month, the halls of Birch Family Services’ schools were filled with celebration, pride, and a few joyful tears as students across our programs donned caps and gowns to mark meaningful milestones. Among the hundreds of graduates, two students—and their proud families—are sharing how their journeys at Birch have paved the way for success, growth, and new beginnings.
At our Springfield Gardens Education Center, students in the school-age program impressed their families at their graduation ceremony before wishing their classmates goodbye and heading into summer break. For Amir G., it was the last time he stepped out of the school as a Birch student.
“It’s amazing to watch him graduate, but it’s also bittersweet,” said Amir’s mother, Melissa.
When Amir was around two years old, he was diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome, a genetic disorder. Struggling with a speech delay, Melissa found out about Birch through her neighbor and enrolled him in the early education program in 2016. Amir adapted to his learning environment and quickly became friends with his classmates. He graduated from the program and attended a general education program where he was not receiving the supports he needed for a successful academic experience.
“We had to figure out another placement that was more appropriate for him,” said Melissa.
The next year, Springfield Gardens Education Center’s School-Age Program opened with Amir becoming the program’s first enrollee.
Over the years, Amir showed great improvement academically and socially, excelling in the classroom and at home. As this school year ended, it was obvious to his teachers that Amir was ready for the next step, one that was both a cause for celebration and some tears.
“He is going to middle school,” said Melissa. “I don’t want him to go but It’s time for him to move on.”
“I’m a little excited for my next move up,” added Amir. “But I don’t want to leave.”
Although the next step is a significant one for Amir, he knows he is ready and willing to take on the challenge. A Birch student for eight years, Amir is saying so long to Springfield Gardens with a message for his beloved teachers and staff.
“Thank you for everything to bring me here. It meant so much to have your guidance and I’m really going to miss it,” said Amir.
Birch’s impact is often measured in moments that are sometimes profound such as Amir moving on from Birch and sometimes small that mark a child’s growth. Across the city at our Washington Heights Education Center, families of younger students witnessed their own powerful moments of transformation as preschoolers like Tristan A. moved up and met new milestones.
For students like six-year-old Tristan A., it was his chance to show his parents all the progress he had made in his journey with Birch—and a chance for his mother, Shareese, to share with fellow Birch parents and school staff how much that progress means to their family.
“Birch changed Tristan’s life,” said Shareese to the parents of the graduating class. “Every day he came home, he was all smiles, and I am so appreciative.”
When Tristan joined Birch in 2024, he was non-verbal and struggled to express what he wanted or how he was feeling to his parents. While performing on stage with his classmates at last year’s moving up ceremony, Tristan did something that surprised his parents.
“Tristan didn’t have his voice yet, but he grabbed the microphone and started mumbling along to the song,” said Shareese. “That was the first time I had ever heard him say anything. We didn’t think he was going to speak.”
This past year, Tristan has made tremendous progress with his speech, which he proudly uses at home.
“He tells me where he wants to sit on the bus. He even tells me when his sibling is misbehaving,” said Shareese with a laugh.
Now, after making great strides at Birch, Tristan is moving to a classroom where he can learn more independently and continue his academic journey toward a bright future.