ITEM PHOTO BY MATT DEMIRS
Benjamin Odney climbs onto the bus after the last day of school at Shoemaker Elementary Monday.
By MATT DEMIRS
Students boarded the school bus for their last ride of the school year on Monday, remembering to thank school officials and drivers for a year well done.
Shoemaker Elementary School had a half day like many Lynn schools, but before storming through the doors into summer, students made sure to show their gratitude.
North Reading Transportation bus driver Veronica Pembowski got many thank-yous from students and parents as she made her regular stop at Shoemaker.
“Everybody made sure to say thank you today,” she said.
Although schools are out, Pembowski’s job continues into the summer with limited hours.
The two-year veteran said her favorite part about driving the bus are the kids who show their appreciation.
Shoemaker Principal Christina Colella said the last day is usually filled with students making cards, homemade gifts, and doing something special for the teacher.
Many of the bus drivers, she said, receive gifts from parents, not only at the end of the year, but on holidays like Christmas too.
Colella received a homemade mug from Mia Cuevas, who also gave one to her teacher Shannon Cormier.
“Teachers are really grateful when their kids give them something at the end of the year,” she said. “It shows that the hard work they put in all year is recognized by students and their families.”
Melinda Modugno, Kathie Wentzell, Tina Shaw, and Ashley Dunlop, got flowers from her students and their parents and were excited to be appreciated, they said.
But gratitude didn’t stop at the elementary level.
Jen Mageary, English teacher at Lynn English High School, said it’s usually uncommon for high schoolers to bring in gifts compared to elementary school. She did, however, get chocolates from a student.
“I know that Shannon Conlon got a beautiful mantra bracelet,” she said. “Tim Cullinane received a lovely handwritten letter.”
For the last assignment of the school year, fellow English teacher Nikki Bene asked her students to write an ode to their favorite teacher.
What she didn’t expect when students turned in their work was that half of the poems were dedicated to her.
One student wrote: “With every writing assignment I was inspired. So I thank you, for playing a huge part in getting me on my way to being a writer one day.”
Bene, who has been teaching in Lynn for 18 years, admires the students passing through her classroom, she said.
“Lynn kids are the best,” she said. “They are real, sincere, and face so many obstacles, and still come to school and put in the work.”
Matt Demirs can be reached at [email protected].
