Monday was the last day of school for students in Chicopee. Some 5th graders at Barry Elementary told Spectrum News 1 they feel more prepared for the transition to middle school after the pandemic caused many changes throughout the school year.
"It's been a crazy year. Like, first we were online and had to figure out how to work with that and then we came back in person but with masks and social distancing and all this crazy stuff, but now at the end of the year it feels more normal and we also had fun on funday," said Annabelle Paquette, a 5th grader at Barry who is part of the Reach Program.
What You Need To Know
- June 21 was the last day of class for Chicopee Public Schools
- The 5th graders in the reach class at Barry Elementary are ready to go to middle school in the fall
- The Reach program is for gifted and talented students
- Students return from summer break on August 31
Students said the school year was full of ups and downs. Paquette's classmates Brianna Gregoire and Mia Podolski agreed.
"Remote was good I guess, but I like being back in the classroom seeing all my friends again," said Gregoire.
"It's been very different than past years, and since we were remote in the beginning, it was definitely a big transition from that into school," Podolski added.
But if there is one thing the students and staff learned, it is that they can overcome anything.
"Every couple of weeks it was like something new was happening and it all fell into place," explained Aubrey Gomes, the Reach Teacher at Barry. "Now here we are, we outside with no masks which is awesome, they are one big happy family as a family, I am going to miss this group big time, for sure, I think everyone got a little closer than ever with their classes this year."
Although the students said they are going to miss their friends, they are excited for a more normal summer and a bit of a break.
"I'm going to be visiting Puerto Rico and a few other places and I am just going to relax, play some sports and have fun," said Jeronimo Monsalve, a 5th grade student in Reach.
Chicopee Public Schools is set to return from summer break on August 31.