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Lakota teachers and students celebrate the final day

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By Lindsey Hilty, Staff Writer Updated 6:43 PM Thursday, June 11, 2009

No more pencils, no more books ...

Students at Lakota celebrated the last day of school Thursday, June 11, with everything from “lack of talent” shows and teacher-versus student sporting events to award ceremonies and water balloon fights.

Union Elementary School sixth-graders gathered on the playground excitedly signing each others’ shirts and yearbooks.

The highlight of the end of the year celebration, though, would be the student versus staff kick ball game, said Nicole Robertson, 12.

“We have to beat the teachers,” she said.

And while many of the sixth-graders said they worried about lockers and homework and a new school building for junior high next year, media specialist Anna Kelly said the staff tries to make all transitions smooth and fun.

“They get all wound up and then we say, ‘see ya,’” she said. “It’s a good way to sum it all up and say goodbye, especially this year with moving to a new building. It’s kind of a relaxed way to say we’ll miss them.”

At Wyandot Early Childhood School, students began their preparations to leave early in the week with Town Hall meetings. Cheering enthusiastically at a slide show from the year, students listened to Principal Elizabeth Spurlock wish them well over the summer.

“Every morning I say to you, ‘use your head and your heart and make good choices,’” she said. “I want when our first-graders leave ... and when you go to your second-grade building, I want you to remember what you learned this year, but I want you to remember your head and your heart.”

She challenged all students to read and write every day this summer and called each student a star.

At Heritage Elementary School, students hugged teachers goodbye and then hung out of bus windows waving their last farewell of the school year. After sending students off, teachers circled up for a traditional dance party.

Principal Marco Pangallo said teachers had a staff meeting that morning to focus on the success stories of the year.

“It’s kind of bitter sweet,” he said, before joining in the celebration. “As we reflect, it’s like these were the best of times and these were the worst of times. This time of year it’s good and helpful and easier to focus on the positives.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com.

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I guess taxpayer must not have gone to Lakota Schools since thier math skills are really bad. School got out on June 11 and school starts up on August 26, teachers only get 76 days off, which includes weekends, and holidays. But I'm sure you knew that and just wanted to stir people up!

Rellly
10:26 AM, 6/12/2009

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Yeah lets hear it for the teachers. They just finished working 180 - 6 hour days and now get to enjoy 185 paid days off. That will give them time to ask for a levy.

taxpayer
8:10 AM, 6/12/2009

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