Schools

Jackson Avenue Holds Fifth Grade Farewell Fair

Principal Matt Gavin participates in dunk tank for students.

Call it an after party if you want as fifth graders from the had one last chance to celebrate together as a class last Thursday evening in the back parking lot of the school and on the adjacent fields.

Come the fall the 80 students who will be the school’s final fifth grade class will move to the middle school and their principal, Matthew Gavin, will move on to become the for the district.

Gavin’s duties were not complete however following and that morning, as he was a good sport in taking to the dunk tank as members of the class attempted to trigger the breakaway platform plunging their principal into the water. Gavin was dunked a total of five times, one for every year in which he served as principal of the school.

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After drying off, Gavin thanked all the members of the Jackson Avenue PTA and the site-based members. “This was their idea as a way to end Jackson Avenue and this year, this 2011 school year and I think it was a wonderful time,” he said.

The school had also set up numerous food stands, including hot dogs, burgers and Italian ices. An 18 minute long video slideshow showing the students on their journey over the last 5 years from first through the fifth grade was also set up in the adjacent courtyard.

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I really appreciate all the well wishes I’ve gotten and the school has been an absolutely the best experience of my career and your kids and our teachers,” Gavin said as the fair closed up. “We have a wonderful community and thank you very much and I hope you have a great summer!”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here