It's a bittersweet goodbye for students at John N. Given Public School in Chatham.
The school is closing and students will be moving over to Tecumseh Public School in September. Wednesday marks John N. Given Public School's last official day being open.
Principal Daphne Zondag says there's a lot of mixed emotions of right now, but she's confident the kids will settle in just fine.
"We have given them a lot of opportunity to get acquainted with Tecumseh, with the building, and with their classmates," says Zondag. "Because we're only 600m apart, a lot of them already know the students that are attending Tecumseh."
Zondag says to help with the transition the students are going over to Tecumseh on Wednesday to meet their teachers and fellow classmates for next year.
"I hope that we have prepared them enough. I'm sure there will be first day jitters like everybody else would have, but all our full-time staff, teachers, and educational assistants will be going over to Tecumseh so they will have familiar faces," she says.
Zondag says there were lots of fun activities and special ceremonies planned for the kids this week too.
"Monday, we had our play day where our Grade 7's were our leaders and our little ones got to participate in all kinds of little play day activities. Tuesday was our awards assembly and then we flew kites. On Wednesday, we are celebrating with sundaes," says Zondag. "As a great send off, the teachers are going to line the hallways and give the students a high five on their way out the front door."
Zondag says it's been a fantastic experience working with the school.
"For the last six years, it's been a fantastic journey," says Zondag. "We have been through construction with the full-day kindergarten that was added and with being involved as a dual track school. It's been an honour and a pleasure working with the students and staff."
