A 17-year tradition was upheld last Friday at Lowell School.
But just barely.
With the rest of Lowell’s 500 students singing and lining their route, all of its 81 5th-graders were able to complete their farewell walk across the playground before a teasing few drops of rain turned into a steady pour.
That meant at least one teacher was breathing a sigh of relief. “It’s never rained in 17 years,” said Dan Wilson, a 5th-grade teacher. The sendoff is the last Lowell School activity for the 5th graders. Being 6th graders next year means moving on up to Hubble Middle School.
It also was the last day of school before summer break for the rest of the student body.
But instead of wiggling in their chairs and staring at the clock, the students spent their day enjoying “Discovery Day,” which Wilson helped start 17 years ago as a day devoted to special reading activities.
It has evolved into a morning spent enjoying three of 60 mini-classes of art or language or sports taught primarily by parents and an afternoon spent outside enjoying activities like relay races and tugs of war.
“I always like Discovery Day,” said 4th-grader Jamie Dahl. “It’s fun. I like our activities. . . . And the Wheel of Wisdom was great, really fun.” Earlier in the day students had assembled for a Wheel of Wisdom game show, similar to the Wheel of Fortune, complete with flashing lights, buzzers and a four-foot wheel spun to give questions on subjects like sports, movies and the three R’s.
But as fun as the day had been, for at least a couple of 5th-graders, it also meant the future was getting closer.
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“It’s a fun day,” said Dave Ryan, “but I’m nervous because this is our last hour of school and I’ve been here all six years and now I’m going to Hubble and it’s going to be scary.”
A little nervous also would describe another 5th-grader, Pirom Chhe.
“Yeah, like scared of bullies, people pushing you,” she said, “and not getting to school early enough.”
“I think Dave’s right,” said fellow 5th grader Mike Louderman. “It’s going to be scary because we’re going to go from being the biggest kids. It’s going to be like going to kindergarten again.”