On the last day of school at Forest Hills Northern Middle School, this group of seventh-graders gave it their all but lost the first round in the tug-of-war contest
Multiple districts – For three local school districts, Wednesday, June 8 was a special day for students to make memories and have fun. Forest Hills, Grand Rapids and Sparta were the last of Kent County’s 20 public school districts to close their doors for the summer.
School News Network sent reporters to schools in all three districts to capture memorable moments of an occasion forever treasured by students: the last day of school.
Forest Hills Public Schools
Photos by Dianne Carroll Burdick
At Forest Hills Northern Middle School, students showed off their many talents in a variety show, including music, dance and drawing, then went outside and flexed their mighty muscles in tugs-of-war.
From left, seventh-graders Kaili Foy, Hannah Krieg, Jessica Liu, Teja Annadurai, Zoe Wells and Bella Smith sing ‘This Side of Paradise’ by Coyote Theory
Seventh-grader Josephine Fredlund performs an Irish dance
From left, seventh-graders Luke Wierenga, Tyler Goodrich and D.J. Schutter display their ‘art quick draw’ drawings based on suggestions from the audience, which then voted on their favorite drawing
Seventh-grader Chase Lavelle performs a medley of songs on the piano, including ‘Come Sail Away’
Eighth-grader Christian Boyce plays ‘Black Napkins’ by Frank Zappa on electric guitar
Seventh-grader Princess Bundu sings the gospel song ‘By the Rivers of Babylon’
Seventh-grader Sylvia Fisher dances ballet to ‘Believer’ by Imagine Dragons
From left, emcees Parker Nemmers, Anthony Bunker, Lauren Jacobs and Era Hoxha sway with the music and shine their cell-phone flashlights during an act
Despite a valiant effort, these eighth-graders lost a round in the tug-of-war
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Photos by Charles Honey
At Shawmut Hills School, Stephanie Nielsen’s kindergartners sang their “morning song” one last time and shared their plans for the summer. They then gathered outside with the whole PK-8 school for the lowering of the flag, just as they had done on the first day of school for its raising.
Shawmut Hills students gathered ‘round to watch the flag being lowered to mark the last day of school, as ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ was sung
Kindergartner Aubrey Sefton stands proudly as her name is called in the final ‘morning song’ of the school year: ‘Aubrey’s here today! We’re so glad you’re here today!’
Teacher Stephanie Nielsen leans in to listen as one of her students shares his plans for the summer
Students jump for joy on their last day while singing – remember that feeling?
Stacy VanderMolen’s first- and second-graders draw trees outside of the school, the last of four drawings they did through the year to record the seasonal changes
Kindergartners left gifts for teacher Stephanie Nielsen on their last day
Sparta Area Schools
Photos by Abigail Ham
At Appleview Elementary School in Sparta, fifth-graders paraded through the hallways while fellow students and teachers applauded and high-fived them in honor of their graduation to middle school next fall.
Ryan Cuper high-fives both sides as he and other fifth-graders walk the halls of Appleview Elementary one last time
Teachers congratulate fifth-graders who will move on to middle school next school year
Parents turned out to snap photos of their children on the last day of school
Students Maya Smitter, left, and Brianna Lixey ham it up for snapshot memories of a special day
Retiring teacher Vicki Riddle, center in skirt, chats with students and parents gathered in the gym before everyone heads out for the summer
Appleview Principal Mike Birely salutes third-graders who followed their older schoolmates through the hallways
“You get to take a book home today!” This East Oakview library volunteer has spent more than a decade encouraging a love of reading from behind the scenes.
