EASTHAMPTON
As the hands on the clock reached 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, a mass of fifth- to eighth-grade students poured into the halls of White Brook Middle School. Smiles stretched across faces and tears fell while the 468 children gathered on their last day of school to share well-wishes and say goodbyes. But before exiting the halls, several fifth-graders and their teachers paused for a moment to reflect on their lasting lessons from the year and hopes for the summer ahead.
Something cool that you learned this year?
“When the whole band works together, there’s harmony, there’s different beats. It sounds…magical.” – Emmalyse Wozniak, 11
“How you perceive everything in the school and how the teachers talk to you. Instead of just kind of telling you something, they explain it really well.” – Graham Fogarty, 11
“I always thought decimals were pretty cool, so when I learned how to write in decimals and how to divide decimals.” – Jalynne Cintron, 11
“They told me the best way to make a friend is just to act like yourself and when that happens, you make friends that are perfect.” – Eric Dunson, 11
“Just how enthusiasm and passion for learning can really excite kids and how when you are able to get that from the children, they are willing to work really hard.” – Rachel Nicholas, teacher
The most amazing thing that happened to you this year?
“Finding out what the chorus teacher was like. I was amazed. I knew he was nice, but I found out that he was really, really nice. His name is Mr. Piaggi.” – Gianni Soucy, 11
“We had field day this year. At the end, we just got to walk around Nonotuck Park with partners without the teachers, and that was pretty cool.” – Jessica Cloutier, 11
“There were a number of students who I saw overcome a lot of things. I had a group of girls and their confidence just seemed to build throughout the year. All three performed in the drama show, on stage with the band and at the talent show.” – Dave Doele, teacher
“Learning how to use all these different ways to do what we already know how to do.” – Kyle Lukowski, 10
“The most memorable was going on our field trip to Plymouth Plantation. The kids not only enjoyed the day off, but they asked really great questions. They came away having learned some really great things about history.” – Rachel Nicholas, teacher
What’s up this summer?
“Summer camp at Nontuck Park. I really love being in nature and getting to meet new people.” – Sameer Goddard, 11
“I tend to work all summer as most teachers do getting ready for next year, reading up on the latest research and taking my curriculum and making it more tailored to the students, but I love the chance it gives me to spend time with my daughter and husband, doing fun things like going to museums and visiting new places.” – Rachel Nicholas, teacher
“I’m in the Oxbow Water Ski Club, so I’m excited to be going around waterskiing. It feels like floating on clouds, literally. You just zip.” – Emmalyse Wozniak, 11
“I plan to do a lot of bike riding around the Valley, also up in Maine visiting friends and family.” – Dave Doele, teacher
“This summer I am going, for the first time, camping in Rhode Island. We always do, like, hardcore camping. We don’t bring anything.” – Jalynne Cintron, 11
Sarah Crosby can be reached at scrosby@gazettenet.com.