Students get red carpet treatment in bidding Mill Road farewell

With a red carpet across the stage and excitement in the air, 100 future middle school students said goodbye to Mill Road Elementary School Thursday, June 18.

Mill Road held its 5th Grade Celebration with a pair of moving up ceremonies inside the 3-5 cafeteria centered around the students. At each, members of the student council offered comments reflecting on their experiences at the school, while thanking their teachers, building leaders and families.

“Today is about so much more than just moving on to LAMS. Today, we’re celebrating six incredible years of growing up, discovering new things, making amazing friends and creating unforgettable memories, right here at Mill Road Elementary School,” the members read at the top of both ceremonies.

After performing Woody Guthie’s “Dusty Old Dust” from risers in front of the stage, the fifth graders returned to their seats to prepare to walk across the stage.
More than just reading off a list of names, the school’s special areas teachers took turns introducing each student with personal details like favorite memories, favorites foods and life aspirations. Then, the student walked the red carpet to receive their certificate and handshakes, hugs or high-fives from Principal Dr. Brian Boyd, Assistant Principal Kristen Strothmann and their teachers.

When all the names had been read and the papers had been handed out, the families moved to the grades 3-5 gymnasium, where the PTA had supplied refreshments and art projects were on display to be taken home. 

Staff assembled outside the school and all other students are dismissed first. It’s only after the younger students were on board their buses that the fifth graders were dismissed, class-by-class, with teachers and other staff waiting to offer high-fives with pom-poms, noisemakers, bubbles and music playing.

Then, it was the adults’ turn to be honored. Principal Brian Boyd announced each member of the school community who is retiring for them also to receive the star treatment with balloons, hugs and well-wishes.

As the buses pulled out, each honking their horns, the staff lined the sidewalk for a final goodbye from Mill Road. The students’ next stop – at least metaphorically – is Linden Avenue Middle School.