Just promoted from a fifth to a sixth grader, a delighted Haley May seems eager to wear the commemorative class T-shirt she designed to mark her class’ transition to middle school. PHOTO PROVIDED/AMY HALLEY
During a “drive-thru” promotion event June 8 at Creslane Elementary School, members of the high school Class of 2027 drove in as 5th-graders and drove out as middle schoolers.
One by one, students popped out of their families’ cars to receive their promotion certificate, class T-shirt and other gifts, then posed as newly-minted 6th-graders.
The format differed from the usual ceremony, and still succeeded in celebrating a significant milestone in students’ lives.
“This promotion was exactly what we all needed – a perfect evening and end to the school year,” principal Amy Halley said. “Bringing families together, cars full of loved ones, was an awesome sight.”
Like the 5th-grade class of 2020 themselves, this year’s class T-shirt is unique.
“Students in fifth grade typically design a T-shirt to be worn during their staff-vs.-students basketball game; but this year, the teachers changed the theme to include their middle school,” Halley said. “Parents think this will be awesome because the kids will be more likely to wear their new Tiger T-shirts into next year.”
Hailey May’s design was selected for this first-of-its-kind T-shirt commemorating Creslane 5th-graders’ promotion.
As with any “loss” of what went before, there is opportunity – the potential for growth and gain.
“Mourning the traditions has been tough for students and staff, but we are making room for new ways to celebrate and honor the hard work that has occurred this school year,” Halley said.
With their alternative 5th-grade promotion celebration, “We were able to provide some closure for these students in their elementary career and provide an opportunity for the teachers to say one last goodbye before they leave us for middle school,” Halley said.
After finishing their 5th-grade year under a new, virtual system of education, the future Class of 2027 can now enter middle school confident in its ability to adapt and succeed in an exciting, and perhaps sometimes challenging new environment.
“We are proud of these kids for working so hard,” Halley said. “They will do great next year in middle school.”
