Farewell event also held for East Leonard — From the look of the brick to the sound of the loudspeakers, everything was sparking memories during a recent farewell celebration for Stocking Elementary. Stocking and East Leonard elementaries are the first of the district is shuttering as part of a consolidation effort outlined in the . As the last week of the school year drew to a close, community members were invited to walk the halls and reminisce during .
Stocking’s closure comes at the tail end of a milestone, as the school just celebrated its 100th anniversary. Though hundreds came to say their goodbyes, there was perhaps no one in attendance more sad to see Stocking go than 12-year-old Elijah Pearson. ‘This was the best place ever.
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This whole building, the whole feel, was very much community and family oriented, with beautiful support from the parents.’ Elijah attended Stocking from preschool through fifth grade before moving on to Westwood Middle School. For the past few months, he’s been making daily after-school pilgrimages to the school to visit with former teachers in anticipation of the closure, said Principal Michael Thomasma.
“He really, really loves it here,” Thomasma said. “He might be the most enthusiastic student we’ve ever had.” During the farewell event, Elijah was schmoozing with staff and pointing himself out in old class photos on the walls, lamenting that it would likely be one of his last chances to visit the school.
“I feel kin.
