Saying Goodbye to Grade 5 in 2020

Our elementary school has a tradition of sending its graduates out with an elaborate program, known as the Grade 5 Farewell. The kids--all dressed in their graduation shirts--perform a song, chosen especially for their year. They cross a stage in the gym--always decorated with balloons and ribbons--while their baby pictures and graduation pictures appear on a large screen. The teachers read out the kids' future aspirations, and one student from each class gives a speech about their years in elementary school. The students' work is displayed around the gym, and there are nice refreshments afterwards. It is a big deal.

Well, this year, all of that was cancelled for obvious reasons. The school, however, invited us to come to a drive-through farewell, where we could take pictures with Alaina and say goodbye to the teachers and principal from at least six feet away. We were not to linger or talk with other families, and no more than two people were allowed to exit a vehicle with the graduate.

So, we got Alaina dressed up in her graduation shirt and took a few pictures at home.

First with her hamster, Jo (Alaina put a little hat on him for the occasion),

then with Janae (we dug out Janae's Grade 5 shirt, just for fun),

then with Janae and Eric (Eric just wore his uniform shirt ... still 5 more years until his elementary school graduation!),

and finally with Ben. 

We couldn't find Ben's grad shirt, and thought it probably wouldn't fit him anyway ... but then the next day, I found it :)

(Ben's definitely a good sport when it comes to things like this!)

That evening, Jason, Alaina and I went to the school and waited in a line of cars for our photo opportunity. We had to fill out a health questionnaire before getting out of the car, but luckily we were all feeling well. 

Alaina had a picture with her teacher and principal,

with the 2020 sign,

and with some fun gifts--a water bottle with a tasseled cap and a cookie with her name on it, decorated as a graduation cap!

The event was pretty quick, but it did help us feel like Alaina was really graduating from elementary school, so I guess it served its purpose. We might have felt differently if it was a high school graduation, but for elementary school, it was okay.

Afterwards, we stopped at DQ to get Alaina her treat of choice: a fudge raspberry blizzard.

And now we are all on summer break!