Pre-kindergarten teacher Mary Jo Lux leads her afternoon class on the “grand promenade” during graduation ceremonies at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center. Lux is retiring after 36 years with Mansfield City Schools.
While the Mansfield Senior High Class of 2017 was celebrating Class Day Thursday afternoon barely a half mile away the Class of 2030 was receiving diplomas of its own.
Ninety-nine children clutched handmade diplomas during morning and afternoon programs that drew large turnouts of parents, grandparents and friends at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center, 890 W. Fourth St.
Classes paraded in a “grand promenade” to the recorded strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” as cameras flashed and recorded videos. Each class took a turn on the stage, singing and dancing before each child’s name was called.
Graduation caps were made of orange plastic snack bowls turned upside down with a square of brown construction paper on top. Tassels were made of yarn.
The district’s pre-kindergarten teachers are Mary Jo Lux, Kim Wendt, Andrea Schmidt-Payne, Brittany Lieb and Megan Morrison.
In a message in the graduation program, the teachers wrote:
“First, we would like to thank our students for being AMAZING! We have loved having you in our classrooms, watching you grow and learn as you prepare for kindergarten.
“Second, we would like to thank the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center for allowing us to have our pre-kindergarten graduation ceremony in such a beautiful building.
“Last but not least, we want to thank the parents, guardians and friends for choosing the Mansfield City Schools’ pre-kindergarten program to guide, teach and love your children.”
Pre-kindergarten classrooms will relocate to the Springmill Learning Center, 1200 Nestor Drive, for 2017-2018. Complete information about enrollment is available on the district web site, tygerpride.com, by clicking on “schools” at the top.