Fourth graders get an ice-cream party sendoff

June 10, 2022  |  By Lisa Scagliotti 

Photo by Gordon Miller

Fourth graders gathered outdoors for the first full end-of-year celebration since 2019. Photo by Gordon Miller

Brookside Co-Principals Chris Neville and Sarah Schoolcraft. Photo by Gordon Miller

The hillside stands in for the school stage at the sunny outdoor celebration. Photo by Gordon Miller

Under bright sunshine with gusty breezes, Music Teacher Elizabeth Carlson accompanies on guitar. Photo by Gordon Miller

"These Green Mountains" - the Vermont state song. Photo by Gordon Miller

Parents, grandparents, siblings get in their final pictures at school. Photo by Gordon Miller

Mr. G's fourth graders take their class picture with teachers Christian Guggemos, Lisa Grout and Mark Swahn. Photo by Gordon Miller

Each class took turns at "the big rock" for a class photo. Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

In a school tradition, each student gets a book chosen by their teacher as a graduation gift. Photo by Gordon Miller

Gift books were purchased and wrapped at Bridgeside Books for the occasion. Photo by Gordon Miller

Teacher Heather Morehouse celebrates with her students. Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Family and even some dog friends got to attend the festivities. Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

The last week of school is likely to be memorable for the kindergartners, too. Photo by Gordon Miller

On the hillside and lower playground, younger students at Brookside got an extended recess with some water fun. Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

The slip-n-slide beats being inside any day. Photo by Gordon Miller

Finishing fourth grade this year at Brookside Primary School turned into a giant midday ice cream party on the school playground with parents, grandparents, siblings and teachers. 

Wednesday’s Celebration of Learning to send off 68 soon-to-be fifth graders was a playful departure from the abbreviated and distanced events the school held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Classes gathered in groups with their teachers for a sing-along and photos and some brief remarks from school leaders. 

With lawn games set up around the upper playground and a Ben & Jerry’s truck parked with scoopers ready to hand out free cones, the ceremony moved along quickly. Students were able to stop by tables to pick up their certificates along with a wrapped book from their teachers then get in line for a treat. 

The rest of the school enjoyed an extended recess that even included some hillside water slide fun followed by a visit to the ice cream truck once the fourth graders and their teachers and guests were served.  

School co-principals Sarah Schoolcraft and Chris Neville saluted the class and music teacher Elizabeth Carlson played guitar to accompany the students as they sang the Vermont state song. 

Schoolcraft in her remarks ticked off the lengthy list of online platforms the fourth graders have mastered as they learned over the past two-plus years relying heavily on online tools during the pandemic.

“These students know more about navigating online school than any one of us did two years ago,” she said. 

The focus now is looking ahead to fifth grade and middle school, Schoolcraft and Neville emphasized choices as the students continue to learn and grow. 

“Next year, wherever you are a fifth grader, you will have choices. These choices add up over time to make you into the person you are,” Schoolcraft said. “We can’t wait to see the choices you make and the grown-ups you become in the future.”

The principals noted that unlike last year, there are no retirements from the staff as this school year comes to a close.