Emotions bubble up on last day of class at Dorothy Fox Elementary

CAMAS — Dorothy Fox Elementary School students spilled out of the building as the final bell rang for the year shortly after noon Thursday. Kids chased bubbles, posed for photos and showed off their colorful shirts and leis, in celebration of Hawaiian Spirit Day.

“Finally,” one boy said as he exited the school.

“Happy new year!” another yelled as he ran down the sidewalk.

The celebration wasn’t limited to students, though. Minutes after the buses and cars full of students left the parking lot, a pizza delivery driver pulled up to drop off a few pies for school staffers.

The day was more bittersweet for some than others. Before walking outside, Kaitlin Zeamer, 11, hugged paraeducator Cyndy Pierce and got a little teary-eyed. It was Kaitlin’s last day at Dorothy Fox, as she will be a sixth-grader at Skyridge Middle School in the fall.

“I’ve been here since kindergarten,” Kaitlin said. “It’s sad, because I’ve known the teachers even longer than that. Both my older brothers went here.”

Kaitlin said that Pierce is a school favorite; she’s always kind and cares about every individual student. Pierce, who works in the cafeteria during lunch and out in the playground during recess, said the last day of school is a sad but exciting time.

“I always tell them they’re going to love their next journey,” Pierce said. “It is sad to see them go, though. I’ve known a lot of them since they were in kindergarten. I’ve been here 35 years. I’m not ready to retire, yet, though.”

Dorothy Fox Principal Cathy Sork said the last day of the school year has turned into a grand send-off for the fifth-graders.

“We have a strong connection with our students,” Sork said. “It’s a chance to celebrate their readiness as they are promoted to their next school.”

One last-day tradition started when Sork was hired 13 years ago and created “the gauntlet.” Students, teachers and families line up around the track outside of the school. Fifth-graders then walk through and high-five everyone. It was inspired by the tunnels that soccer players walk through while high-fiving fans while heading out to the field, Sork said.

“It’s become this rite of passage,” Sork said. “Everyone gets their one-on-one time with every fifth-grader. We talked about doing it at a different time, but the kids didn’t want to move it. They wanted it to be the last thing they did here.”

After the gauntlet, students returned to their classrooms for the final bell. As they exited the school, staffers and teachers blew bubbles at them. Although it was the very last day for some at Dorothy Fox, for others, like Oliver Grosman, it was the first of many.

Oliver, 6, finished up kindergarten Thursday. He was greeted after school by his mother, Jen Grosman, and brother, Calvin, 4. Oliver said his favorite part of kindergarten was playing speed ball at recess with his friends. He also told Calvin that when Calvin starts at Dorothy Fox, Oliver will be in second grade.

“We had a great first year at Dorothy Fox,” Jen Grosman said. “He had a great time, and everyone at the school was so helpful.”