Last day of school bells rang at elementary schools all over the Island Wednesday marking the official first day of summer vacation. 

At the Chilmark School, students were serenaded by maracas, tambourines and gourd shakers by parents and teachers lined up on the grass. Four parents wore festive animal costumes, including an inflatable lobster, unicorn, seahorse and shark.

The Chilmark School’s new principal, Kate Squire, held a bubble machine while cheering on the students.

“This year exceeded expectations,” Ms. Squire said. “I’m so happy for the year that has passed, but it’s also hard to say goodbye.”

Hugs were everywhere and many parents held bouquets for their kids.

“Chilmark is such a close community with the kids being very close friends,” said Cana Courtney, a K/1 teacher at Chilmark. “I’ve had these kids for two years now, it’s exciting but also bittersweet to see them move on.”

As the kids dispersed across the field, they yelled excitedly about the activities they would do during the summer.

“I’m so excited,” said Taeko Thomson, a graduating fourth grader, with a big smile. “We watched movies today, had recess, and now we’re going to the Menemsha Galley for ice cream!”

One girl left the school dancing and singing to herself: “No more school for me, I am happy as can be!”

In Tisbury, the departing students were greeted with bubbles on their last day of school.

This was the first year back at the newly renovated school, which brought added excitement to staff and students alike, according to special education teacher Catherine Mafcher.

“It was exciting to see the happiness on the kids’ faces those first few days and all through the year,” she said. “Being back in the building, being able to have our play here, being able to have our graduation here, being able to do all of those things in our home.”

A student handed Ms. Mafcher a mason jar with fresh flowers as a thank you.

Newly minted fifth graders Melissa Braga, Kaydia Gardner and Emanuella Agular said they are looking forward to going to the beach this summer.

“I like jumping off the bridge,” Emanuella said.

Kaydia said she is excited to attend summer camp.

“I think we usually go off Island and sometimes we go kayaking,” she said. “I like being outside.”

A favorite memory of the trio this year was going to the aquarium for a field trip.

Cheryl Pinkham has been directing traffic at the school for seven years, holding a giant stop sign so that students, families and teachers can safely cross the road. She wished everyone a good summer as they left the school for the last time this school year.

“It’s something to do and I enjoy the kids and everybody,” she said.

Nika Mone, an assistant first grade teacher, said she is always amazed at the rapid development she sees in her students.

“They come in really little, and they leave so much bigger,” she said. “It’s a really big year of growth.”

At the Oak Bluffs school there were more bubbles, and the sidewalks outside the building had been decorated with colored chalk.

Some students and teachers cried, others rejoiced and all exchanged tight hugs and sweet goodbyes.

Courtney Bennett, one of Oak Bluffs School’s school counselors, took note of the variety of feelings expressed by the kids.

“I’ve seen excitement about the summer, sadness to say goodbye to their class, excitement about what’s next year, sadness that the summer means they won’t see their whole classroom anymore. So it’s a mixture of feelings, and that’s a good lesson that we can have more than one feeling at a time,” she said.

Larissa Bernat, a first grade teacher for the past 15 years, was also feeling bittersweet, and appreciative of the special moments she shared with her students this year.

“We got to do a lot of special projects and fun activities this year, and we went on a different field trip than we normally go on...which felt really special,” Ms. Bernat said.

Jeremy Light wrapped up his first year as principal of the Oak Bluffs School, marking Wednesday as his first last day of school there.

“First year, it was a lot of learning, but I stepped into a great community, great position, and just having so much fun with the littles,” he said.

Mr. Light said it was a great first year, full of trials, tribulations, joy and fun. He said he looks forward to taking some time during the summer to reflect on the experience. He added he is already looking forward to next year.

“We are rolling out a new schedule, we are getting a new playground, so we have a lot of new things that are coming, and so those are some things I’m really excited about,” he said.

Shortly after school let out, the buses pulled around the corner and progressed through the pickup circle. As they drove away, students leaned out the windows, waving to all the teachers cheering below and goodbye to the 2025 school year.