Students have released butterflies today as a symbolism of closing for D.A Gordon elementary school in Wallaceburg. Since 1922 the school opened its doors educating students and enriching lives for 92 years.
Principal Ben Hazzard said, “It certainly is a bittersweet day”. He said now that it’s time to officially say goodbye to the school he hopes students celebrated their last day on a high note as they released 92 butterflies on the school grounds.
“We’re trying to celebrate the memories of D.A. The memories of all the people who have been through it and all the things that have happened but we’re really sad to see it go and say goodbye”.
Hazzard said the butterfly release was a “joint effort from staff”. “They wanted to do something significant for the last day so we collectively put our heads together and thought it would be the best thing to do, with lots of symbolism of hope for the future and life”.
Hazzard also said that being the principal at D.A Gordon has been a privilege. “I’ve been really honoured to be a part of this school. Being the principal has been fantastic. D.A has always been about the people and certainly we are going to miss the building and hope the relationships here keep going on in the future”.
Grade three students and best friends, Angelina Bain and Lainey Mccready said that today they felt “sad” that it was their last day of school at D.A.
“I’m a little nervous,” Bain said, since she will have to change schools in the fall. “There were 18 people in our class. D.A Gordon is just the place to be!”
Mccready cheered, “Go Gators” to show her school spirit for being a student at D.A since kindergarten. Both girls will be attending AA Wright elementary school in the fall.
Grade 4/5 Teacher, Jim Walden said, “It feels like a huge moment. It’s sad but I’m happy too because we’ve done so much at this school. I’ve been here for 14 years so I’ve seen a lot of kids come and go. I’ve always worked in Wallaceburg so I look forward to teach some of the kids of the kids I’ve taught which happens in a small town”.
Walden said, “This is a great school and we’ve done a lot of great things together. I’m going to miss some of the staff because they are going to different places than I am”. Walden will be teaching at AA Wright where he first started teaching 24 years ago.
Walden also said that each butterfly represents one year that D.A Gordon has been opened.
“Having 92 butterflies actually works out with our population with our reading buddies,” he said. “The older child and the younger child get one butterfly together to release and share a special moment together”.
Walden closed with a statement of significance of the butterflies and D.A Gordon.
“Butterflies are like memories. They are very fragile and beautiful. Then, you let them go”.
Check out these pictures from the butterfly release today:
