Some nerves, tears, lots of smiles as Brookside 4th graders move up
June 19, 2023 | By Lisa ScagliottiDuring first, second, and third grade, they may have had fewer gatherings in the school gym than classes who came before them, but Brookside Primary School’s fourth graders put the pandemic behind them with dozens of family and friends in attendance last week as they closed the first chapter of their education.
The annual celebration brimmed with nerves, laughter, and some bittersweet tears as the 61 soon-to-be-fifth graders dressed up for their special day last Tuesday. The traditional Celebration of Learning marked the end of their time at the school where many have attended since preschool as most head to Crossett Brook Middle School in the fall.
Brookside Primary School fourth graders celebrate as they look to head to middle school. Photo by Gordon Miller
Once parents, siblings and others had taken their seats, teachers led the four fourth-grade classes into gym. Two-by-two, they walked down the center aisle to the chairs reserved for them in the front rows. Teacher Chris Costello stood by the two lines of single-file youngsters giving each pair their cue to join the procession.
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Co-Principals Chris Neville and Sarah Schoolcraft started the ceremony off with brief remarks to the school’s oldest cohort. They asked students to think of their first memories entering their school, some as preschoolers or kindergartners, some in later grades. “Think about how far you’ve come since that day,” Schoolcraft said.
Neville, who just finished his second year as co-principal, said his favorite memory from this school year was skiing with students at Sugarbush.
Keeping with a school tradition, teachers called each student up to give them a special book, gift-wrapped with their name on it. Teachers ordered books with specific titles in mind for each student through Bridgeside Books where staff wrapped and tagged each one. The teachers – Camille Anderson, Chris Costello, Allison Champlin and Stephanie Clymer – handed out the gifts along with hugs and handshakes. Afterward, the classes stood together on the risers with their teachers for audience members to snap class photos.
A highlight of the assembly was the slideshow assembled with both recent photos of the students and ones from their toddler or even infant days, bringing cheers and many laughs from the crowd.
With their music teacher Elizabeth Palumbo accompanying them on guitar, the fourth graders sang two songs together: “I’m on Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons, and the Vermont state song, “These Green Mountains.”
In the short program, the principals offered words of encouragement to the newly minted fifth graders. “You’re capable of anything you set your mind to,” Neville said.
“Let your uniqueness shine. Be kind, lift others up, be a force for change – your actions can make a difference,” Schoolcraft said, adding, “Be silly. Laugh. And wear a costume once in a while, just because it’s fun.”
The future is bright, Neville added, reminding the students to return to visit. “And remember, you always have people here at Brookside who love and support you.”
Family members capture the moment. Photo by Gordon Miller