Schools
Year Wraps Up for Easton Area School District
Parents who pick up children at Shawnee Elementary School in Forks Township will miss friendships, but will focus on children this summer.
They've waited in line every day of the school year, picking up their children from in Forks Township, exchanging greetings and sharing stories about their lives and interests.
From September to June, these parents have given up a half-hour or so each afternoon to give their children a ride home.
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But it all ended Thursday when the school year came to a close and those in the parent pickup group went their separate ways.
"This school year really flew by," said Jan Schwartz, a Forks Township resident who took her third-grade son Elijah to and from school. "I remember counting down in August to when the school year would start and now we've been counting down to when it will end."
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This past week at Shawnee and the , students have had four straight half-days to end the year, which wraps up about a week earlier than normal due to a lack of snow days from a mild winter.
There will be no break, though, for Shawnee Principal Josephine Galloway.
Galloway said as soon as one school year ends, plans for the next one begin.
"We've got to do school schedules, class lists, budget items, get school supplies and set up certain initiatives related to curriculum," Galloway said. "Principals are very busy in the summer. We lead the charge."
Galloway believes that Shawnee had a good school year.
"We're very proud of our students," she said. "We've had academic growth across the board."
But still, there is sadness.
"We lose our fourth grade," Galloway said. "But many will come back and visit next year. They're always part of the Shawnee family."
Joe Rizzo, another pickup parent, has some immediate plans.
"I'm excited, we're going on vacation, to Ocean City, Md.," said Rizzo, who was picking up his son, Jared. "It's a great family vacation. This is our fourth or fifth year going. Otherwise, keeping the children busy all summer will be a challenge."
Tom Jackson, who picks up his daughter each day, is ready for the break.
"I'm looking forward, as I have my entire life, to summer vacation," Jackson said. "I get to spend time with my daughter."
Schwartz said she isn't sad to see the school year go.
"We're all looking forward to vacationing with residents at the Jersey Shore and being able to see more of our family and friends," she said.