This past Thursday the Kleenex factories in New York City were working overtime manufacturing tissues for all the weeping parents, teachers, and students attending the PS 39 5th grade commencement ceremony. And my little Stellie was one of the graduates!
Just for some historical perspective, this was the 138th annual commencement ceremony for PS 39 (it's a pretty old school).
Lisa, Marni and I got great front-row seats for the hour-long event, which started with a very cool and very entertaining processional.
Emotions ran high and pretty soon we were handing out tissues to some of the weepy graduates (and to each other). Even Stella succumb by the end of the ceremony.
When it was over we met in the school yard for more tears, hugs, and photo ops.
And, in the blink of an eye, 7 years of schooling at PS 39 is over for Stella.
It sure was a blast.
On the school steps before commencement.
Stella's class
Stella's friends.
My beauty.
More beauty.
Receiving her diploma from principal DePaz.
After the commencement.
Stella's kindergarten graduation and 5th grade graduation.
Well they don't officially call it a prom. The school calls it the Grade 5 Senior Dance. But I thinks it's a training Prom. A Pre Prom.
Whatever. All I know is that this is the only prom I've ever attended.
Stella and all her 5th grade classmates arrived at the Park Slope YMCA at 5:30 and rode the elevator up to the Penthouse, where their party was to take place.
No parents were allowed up. So, instead, a bunch of parents hung out a the bar/restaurant next door until 7:15.
Parents were allowed up to the Penthouse to observe the final 15 minutes of the dance. What we found when we got up there were about 60 sweaty, crazy kids running around, screaming and dancing. Thankfully, having a great time.
Two more songs were played (with millions of parent cell phones documenting every moment) and then everyone headed down to the street for goodbyes and picture taking.
We heard from one of the school staff chaperones that the kids mostly sat and stared at each other for the first 15 minutes or so. Then they got some pizza in them and the DJ turned up the music and that's all it took to get the kids moving. We even heard a rumor that a girl danced with a boy!
Did Stella have fun? Apparently.
Another right of passage checked off of the bucket list.
We had another beautiful day for the annual Rye Playland outing. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts meant that we were missing some J-Girls and some Asanovic men. And Lisa Hill weaseled out of having to drink a Fish Bowl of Tiki Punch with yours truly.
But we'll get back to normal next year!
Stella and Marni thoroughly enjoyed themselves on the Playland Plunge with Lisa Stefanoff (thanks Lisa). And Daddy even joined in on the fun by going on the Log Flume for the first time ever (me no likey). And we're keeping the Popeye's chicken thing on the down low.
Another super-fun Rye Playland summer outing is in the record books!
