Friday was the last day of classes for most Vineyard students, and just before noon, voices of excited children floated through the Tisbury school’s open windows. Parents gathered outside the doors below, some holding cameras to capture the official start of summer. Others pushed strollers with younger siblings. Some held bouquets and gifts for Tisbury school teachers.
The kindergarten graduates came streaming out of the double doors first, running out beneath silver streamers and a poster that said “Happy summer!” Each wore a paper crown with their name on it that said “Last day of school.”
Isaac Rendon ran to his grandmother Betty and aunt Molly for hugs.
“Look at my hands!” he said. They were covered in glitter from last day of school celebrations.
The first grade class came running out of another door, high fiving principal John Custer and assistant principal Sean Mulvey. The students carried inflatable beachballs their classmates had signed.
Second grade graduate Noah Nascimento came out wearing a medal around his neck that said “Citizenship.”
“I got it from Mrs. Levett,” he told his mother, Renata.
He opened up a paper bag and took out three more awards on decorated paper: one for reading, one for citizenship, and one for being a quiet achiever.
“It’s sweet and bitter,” Ms. Kinaki said. “It’s his last year here.”
The family had moved, and next year Noah will go to the Edgartown school. Ms. Kinaki gave Noah a gift bag to give to assistant principal Mr. Mulvey.
“We got Mr. Mulvey a tie because he is just the best,” Ms. Kinaki said.
Some children took to the playground while their parents talked and thanked teachers. A dozen or so children started a basketball game. All carried backpacks filled with bits of pencils, erasers, classroom decorations, notes, and awards, hard-earned relics of a school year past.
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