Nashville, Lakeville ring the bell final time at elementaries

Earlier in May Nashville and Lakeville communities rallied around their elementary schools one final time for their respective “End of an Era” celebrations, which honored each school’s history, its people and the many memories that accompanied decades of education.

But even more, it honored the feeling of community spirit both schools possessed for decades, first as high schools prior to consolidation in 1965, then as elementary schools where thousands of children learned far more than the ABCs, arithmetic and social studies.

Brian Zimmerly, principal at both schools, said the feeling of camaraderie and respect that emanated from the people who flocked to each event could be felt in every hallway, every room and all around both schools, where there were plenty of activities for kids and adults to relish throughout the evening.

“It was a really neat experience," Zimmerly said of both nights. “It was a time filled with people reminiscing and touring the buildings, and there were so many stories being shared about the old days and what people experienced when they attended school.”

Zimmerly said it was so inviting, and the atmosphere was such that many people stayed for the entire two hours, connecting and reconnecting with old friends and former schoolmates, sharing memories that can’t be erased even though the elementaries will be auctioned off as the district prepares to move into the new all-encompassing K-5 building next fall.

Zimmerly also said one common theme he heard was how much things have changed and how much some of the aspects of each school hadn’t changed at all.

“Yeah, the buildings are pretty old and have seen a lot of life over the years,” Zimmerly said. “And while a lot of things have changed, you look back at some of the old photos that were available for viewing and realize that some things never changed at all.”

On Thursday, May 28, both schools did present one final tradition, that being the ringing out the year on the old school bells. At Nashville it is usually the second-graders doing the honor while at Lakeville the fifth-graders get that opportunity.

However, because of these special circumstances, Zimmerly said they gave everyone a chance to ring out the school year this time around.

“Traditionally, this has been a fun way for our students and staff to ring out the passing of another school year in a fun way,” Zimmerly said.

For the past many years, students have each gotten to take a whack at the bells with a mallet as their names were announced.

They also performed ringing in the new school year with kindergartners and third-graders at Nashville and Lakeville, respectively.

However, with the schools closing their doors in the district for good Thursday, May 28, Zimmerly said they were honoring each building by having every student and every staff member ring out the year.

Second grade teacher Brooke Mast has had the honor of having her class ring out the school year for the past dozen years, and while all of them were special, this one had some added meaning.

“This is always a special way to celebrate our kids and sending our second-graders out, but this year was different because all of our kids are going to be moving on to a new building,” Mast said. “We want them to know that even though we’re moving on, they are all still part of us and part of a wonderful school district.”

She said the important thing is the teaching staff districtwide cares deeply about the welfare and education of the kids above all, and that will remain a priority no matter what building everyone is in.

“This time is emotional; it’s hard because this is such a close, tight-knit community. Nashville is pretty special, and it’s hard to see it come to an end,” Mast said. “But we’ll all be together as one unit and one team, so it’s going to be good.”

Zimmerly said the hope is both school bells will make their way to the new K-5 building, where the tradition of ringing out the school year can continue districtwide.