Crossett and Thatcher Brook schools bid students farewell curbside

June 12, 2020  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

Schools in Waterbury and Duxbury were scenes of unique ceremonies this week as teachers, students and families celebrated eighth and fourth graders moving on without the customary assemblies, hugs and group picture-taking. 

But this is the first time in anyone’s lifetime that these usual festive rites of passage were happening during a global health pandemic where public health guidelines dictated caution. 

On Tuesday, Crossett Brook Middle School held its first curbside graduation for its 69 eighth graders. 

Students wearing masks arrived in vehicles with parents and family members, pulling up in the bus loop to greet their teachers, Principal Stephanie Hudak and other staff. They handed students flowers and packages with their certificates, awards, cards, yearbooks and other mementos collected for each one. 

Principal Stephanie Hudak hands out bags with certificates and more to graduates slowly rolling through the bus loop. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Graduate Damien Garcia does a final lap in the bus loop. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Curbside congratulations. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Teachers usually wave goodbye to school buses on the last day. This was a bigger sendoff. Left to right: Teachers Melinda Anderman, Grace Gilmore and Sarah Popowicz. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Festive yet distant was the theme at Crossett Brook Middle School's curbside graduation this week. Left to right: Teachers Eric Eley, Melissa Hunkins and Sarah Popowicz. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Spanish teacher Kelsey Burnell and Phys Ed teacher Dan Gratton look on as Dona Culver hands out carnations. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Graduate Joslyn Myers. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Cheers to the graduates. Left to right: Jack Williams, Sally Merrifield and Tammy Thompson. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Graduate Piper Floyd and her mom Renee Ross. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Dean of Students Josh Estes gives a double fist pump. Photo by Gordon Miller.

First stop, a flower from CBMS office staffer Dona Culver. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Earlier in the day, Hudak shared the YouTube link to a special 24-minute video for the class of 2020. The customary slideshow that salutes the class using photos from their younger days and today was expanded to include many short video messages from CBMS teachers and staff. 

“I wish we could be celebrating differently," Hudak says in her opening remarks on the video. "This is the reality that we are all living ... here we are," she said.

For several teachers, their messages were parting thoughts because they, too, are leaving Crossett Brook. 

Retiring physical education teacher Dan Gratton bid students his final farewell wishing them “virtual hugs and high-fives.” 

Sustainability teacher Sarah Popowicz, who leaves for a new job, encouraged her students to look for ways to make their mark on the world. “Collectively, everything you do makes a difference,” she said. “I will miss you all so much.”

Art teacher Nan Hathaway, also retiring, urged students to keep making art but to not follow the crowd. “Look for ways to do things your own way,” she said. 

Hudak notes that she has known many in the graduating class from their days at Thatcher Brook Primary School where she previously was co-principal. "I couldn't be more proud of this group of students as they have wound down their year in an unprecedented format working from home in a remote learning mode," she said, congratulating them and wishing them well as they head to high school.  

Festive farewell in Thatcher Brook parent loop

A similar scene played out Wednesday morning at Thatcher Brook Primary School where vehicles carrying finishing fourth graders slowly rolled through the parent pickup-dropoff loop at the front entrance. The scene was a curbside party with music and balloons and tables covered in festive tablecloths.

Teachers Heather Morehouse (left) and Amy Cunningham (center) have books on tables to give to students. TBPS Principal Denise Goodnow is to their right. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Many fourth grade graduates had company in the back seat. Photo by Gordon Miller.

This was teacher Kara Ramsdell's last fourth grade celebration at Thatcher Brook. She retires at the end of this school year. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Teachers lined the drive-through to wish students well. Camille Anderson offers a colorful greeting. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Teachers brought the celebration out to the curb for Thatcher Brook Primary School's 70 finishing fourth graders. Teacher Anne Hutchinson makes sure students get the message. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Students had gifts of their own for teachers, too. Here's another for Mr.G. Photo by Gordon Miller.

The weather cooperated for the Thatcher Brook staff to make the occasion as formal as possible. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Thatcher Brook students greeted teachers from the back seats of their family vehicles. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Backseat memories were made on Wednesday. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Teacher Emilie Diller collects gifts from students. Photo by Gordon Miller.

This was the last chance for students to see all of their teachers together at school. Left to right: Tara Luce-Rogers, Sally Kulis and Sarah Hildebrand cheer on the students. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Assistant Principal Sarah Schoolcraft salutes students: Bravocado! Photo by Gordon Miller.

Teachers Celeste Emler and Kara Ramsdell and their sign remind everyone that students won't be far next year at Crossett Brook Middle School. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Library assistant Jill Cunningham added some spirit. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Newly minted fifth grader Charlotte Piatek picks up mementos from her teacher Christian Guggemos at Wednesday's drive-up Fourth Grade Celebration at Thatcher Brook Primary School. Photo by Sarah Squirrell-Piatek.

Wearing masks, Principal Denise Goodnow, fourth grade teachers and staff lined the sidewalk and handed each student their certificates, a celebratory lawn sign and a book of their choice as a gift.  

The class this year numbered 70 students, Goodnow said. 

Sarah Squirrel-Piatek said the lack of a formal “Fourth Grade Celebration” - as they are known at Thatcher Brook - didn’t put a damper on her daughter Charlotte’s excitement for the day. 

“True to Waterbury community form, the graduation parade brought us together safely and sent the message that our children should be celebrated, valued and loved,” she said. “It was also an opportunity for our kids to learn the art of flexibility, practice resilience, and how to make the best of things even if they don’t totally go our way.”