GREENFIELD — Jacki Pinger’s best memory of her fourth-grade class is perhaps the day they all dressed up like they were in ancient Greece.
It was a bonding moment for the class at the Discovery School at Four Corners. After months, and in this case with Pinger, two years of bonding with a group of students that she taught both in the third and fourth grade, the students will now move on to middle school.
“I moved up to fourth grade, so I’ve had most of these kids for two years,” Pinger said between tears. “It’s hard to say goodbye. It’s amazing to see how much they’ve grown up.”
Principal Jake Toomey orchestrated the step up ceremony for the students as a way to recognize their achievements.
“We’re here to recognize these amazing students as they end their careers at the elementary school and step up to the middle school,” Toomey said to the group of students and family members gathered at the school Wednesday afternoon.
Toomey addressed the students, reminding them of their accomplishments.
“You’ve become leaders in the district in regards to composting and recycling,” Toomey said.
He added, with laughs from the families: “You’ve become well versed in technology, more so than some teachers.”
The principal left the students with four recommendations: work hard; don’t get frustrated and quit; be humble; and get involved.
“You have become strong citizens within this community, but your community and your world are about to expand,” Toomey concluded.
As Pinger and fellow fourth-grade teacher Marguerite Rancourt called up their two classes, Toomey took out a box of tissues for his staff. Parents snapped away, taking photos with their phones and some recording parts of the ceremony live on Facebook.
Students received a certificate for completing elementary school when they went onto the stage in the school’s auditorium, hugging their teachers and the principal in appreciation.
Following the calling of the names, a 10-minute slideshow showcased the children in the two classes, as three songs picked by the students played in the background: “My House” by Flo Rida, “Play That Song” by Train and “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake.
Afterward students and their families came together in the cafeteria to enjoy refreshments provided by the PTO and say goodbye to their teachers, before heading for the summer and middle school in the fall.
“They are an amazing group of kids that support each other and support one another,” Rancourt said. “I think they’re going to go on to great things because they really are just exceptional people.”
Reach Joshua Solomon at:
jsolomon@recorder.com
413-772-0261, ext. 264