Wakefield-Marenisco students relish last day of school

WAKEFIELD - Monday's beautiful weather was a great send-off for kids finishing their final day of the year at Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School.

In celebration of the event, the kids lined up to receive icees and popcorn and then hung out with friends on the athletic field.

The scene was totally relaxed, unlike the past couple years when the COVID-19 pandemic put a consistent damper on any and all activities.

Students told the Globe that recent months had felt fairly normal, or as sixth grader Carter Bouvette kidded, "It wasn't horrible."

Superintendent Jason Gustafson said the first half of the school year still involved "a lot of COVID unknowns" because regional, state and national health officials were leaving restrictions largely up to individual schools.

He added that the second semester presented more of a relief as "the masks came off."

The superintendent said that the big project for the summer will be the installation of new windows. "They started last week," he said. "They should be wrapped up by Aug. 12."

Gustafson said that white-trimmed windows in the academic building will be replaced with windows that better match the current doors.

"So, it's going to give it a whole different look," he said, noting the added advantage that new windows will allow staff to open them for screened air flow.

In the coming school year, Gustafson said he expects that staff will have the luxury of focusing solely on academics and athletics - "what we're supposed to do."

There will be one person gone from the lineup as Business Manager Tina Trevarthen is retiring. As for missing her, Gustafson said, "Oh gosh, yes."