As each vehicle passed beneath an archway of braided blue-and-gold foam pool floaties festooned with balloons, the Wealthy School fifth graders inside them, or whose heads appeared through sunroofs, became middle schoolers to-be.
Thursday’s promotion parade was held in both parking lots of the school in lieu of the traditional, schoolwide, high-five-laden “walk of fame” in which fifth graders are guests of honor at the end of the school year. Lakeside and Breton Downs elementary schools held similar events.
Teachers cheered and shook pompoms to music as each vehicle went by, while Principal Carlye Allen called to each one by name and shouted words of encouragement.
“Middle school’s gonna love you, Orli!” Allen shouted from a safe distance.
Said art teacher Peri den Dulk: “These are kids I have had since kindergarten. I’m just missing the contact with them. I’m so glad to see them all one more time.”
Read about more school parades in Sparta and Godwin Heights
