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Kids spring into summer By Amber Fossen Ashland Daily Tidings For many elementary-age children in Ashland, today is a day of celebration - school is out and summer is in. The elementary halls of Bellview, Briscoe, Helman, Walker and Lincoln will grow quiet as students leave their familiar surroundings. Wrapping up end-of-the-year lessons and activities, each school found ways to celebrate the last few days with the students. Helman Elementary third-graders Allison Christian (left) and Marissa McLain embrace during a end-of-school celebration Tuesday. Both girls say they'll spend the summer reading. All elementary classes end today. Ashland Daily Tidings/DENISE BARATTA According to Helman Principal Barbara Fields, students have been working hard with Ashland resident artist Cathy Murphy on a seasonal mural that wraps around the Helman courtyard. "Every day the children make it grow," Fields said, adding the summer season-scape is not yet complete Helman Dragons celebrated their last full day of school Tuesday with a fifth grade class send-off for the 47 students who will head to Ashland Middle School next fall. At the assembly, fifth graders, like Kate Jensen, shared their experience at Helman with the audience of more than 200. "You know that phrase that time goes by when you're having fun," Jensen said. "That must be why my time at Helman has gone by so fast." Jensen said the school taught her both academic and personal lessons to prepare her for the educational journey. Walker Elementary also honored its 55 fifth grade graduates in a Tuesday afternoon awards celebration. The assembly began with an impressive processional by the Tsokoshata Marimba Ensemble, which is made up of Walker students. The sound of the marimbas were powerful enough to saturate the gym, much to the appreciation of the audience. The afternoon ceremony concluded with an ice cream social for students and their families. Briscoe Elementary, in its final year, has had many end-of-the-year events, including a Spring Music Sharing assembly, a Briscoe Celebration and fifth grade recognition for the school's 44 graduates. The school will close for good today at 12:30 p.m. after a school carnival and softball game. At Bellview, students were busy practicing for "Fifth Grade Night" held Tuesday, according to Principal Juanita Fagan. "It's been a tradition here at Bellview and it's kind of a different way to have closure," Fagan said, adding students sing and share stories before a sea of balloons fall from the ceiling to symbolize the end of elementary school and the beginning of the next academic leg. Fagan said the 45 Bellview graduates have displayed a mixture of emotions in facing their transition from elementary to middle school. "They're excited and scared," Fagan said. "Scared about what it means." Lincoln Lions have also been busy winding down the school year, according to Principal Susan Hollandsworth. Students took trips to ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in addition to hikes to Table Rock. For 49 fifth-graders, these will be the last memories of elementary school. Hollandsworth said, despite a rough year for the Ashland School District, it has also been a good one. "All in all, even with the talk of school closure and Lincoln's future, it has been a really good year," she said. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -