Monday was the last day of school for Fairview Elementary and most schools across the Columbus Municipal School District, but the hallways were surprisingly quiet as students and teachers geared up for summer … school, that is.
Most of the teachers, and 111 of the students at the aerospace and science magnet school, will participate in summer enrichment programs.
Bernard Taylor, who has taught science at the school for 27 years, was still trying to make up his mind between taking a vacation and or taking classes at Jackson State University as he did last summer.
“I don”t know,” he said. “I need a vacation. We put in a lot of hard work. Have to. You”ve got to go home and recharge, but in all schools, if a teacher doesn”t put their foot to the pedal they don”t get the job done.”
Pam Johnson, who teaches second grade, alternately said goodbye to students and sifted through papers, preparing for summer school. She stopped to talk with Tajsman Lanier, 8, and Ja”Kyron Gillespie, 7, who threw their arms around her and squeezed her tightly.
“She”s the most wonderful teacher ever,” said Gillespie. “My other teachers were a little mean, but she”s been nice and fun.”
He said after a year of learning multiplication tables, addition, and subtraction, he was ready for a break.
“I”m going to the beach in a car maybe, or maybe a big truck,” Gillespie said. “That”s what I plan on doing. I”m going to relax myself.”
“I”m going to go swimming at my mama”s friend”s house,” Lanier interjected. “And swim, and play baseball, and basketball, and all kinds of sports.”
Sports also figured prominently into the plans of Reggie Wilburn, 10, who will take taekwondo for the first time this summer, and Terry Green, 11, who plans to play football with the Columbus Ravens, a traveling football team.
But not every student was looking forward to the end of the year.
“I”m going to miss school,” said Joshua White. “I like learning. I like science. I”m going to miss my teacher, Miss Temple.”
As for third grade teacher Vanessa Davis, she was looking forward to a vacation of an entirely different kind — her honeymoon.
Davis, who has taught at Fairview for 10 years, will marry Charles Anthony Williams on July 18. They”re planning to spend a weekend relaxing on the Gulf Coast.
After previous summers spent earning her master”s degree at Mississippi University for Women, she said this will be her first “real” summer. When asked if she”s excited, her eyes sparkled and she grinned broadly. “Oh my gosh, yes!” she said.
Sale Elementary School and Stokes-Beard Elementary School, which follow the Success calendar, will remain in session until June 14.
Lowndes County schools will hold their last day Wednesday.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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