WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Pom poms, cheers, and school bus horns. That's how teachers and staff said goodbye to students at Mayberry Cultural and Fine Arts Magnet School on Wednesday. Before the busses take off and teachers cheer on students, the anticipation builds up for when the 2:10 p.m. bell rings.
Some of the middle schoolers even said some parting words.
"Everyone has a good summer, just live it to the fullest, and don't let anything get in your way,” said one student.
"I think during the summer it's going to be kind of boring ya know. Going to the big steps now," said another student.
Then the students gathered outside until the whistle sounded. The whistle means it’s time to get on the bus. The final time 8th graders say goodbye to their teachers and friends.
"A lot of the kids they're going to different schools. And so it's kind of like the last time some of the 8th graders will see some of their classmates. And even if they are not necessarily friends, they're all acquaintances. They've been seeing each other every day for the last three years,” said Kristina Murray, principal of Mayberry Cultural and Fine Arts Magnet Middle School.
The staff is also happy to cheer the students on. Waving pom poms, as school busses honk their horns leaving Maryberry for the final day of the year. It's a Mayberry tradition that's been going on for more than 20 years.
“I really feel like it just ends on a positive note. It's cool because the bus drivers it's like they know. Especially the ones that have been driving here. They always honk. The kids love it. They were smiling and cheering. I saw them waving out the window,” said Murray.