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Wood County wraps up school year

Second-grader Addison Fluharty launches herself on a mat across a row of pool noodles during Friday’s Field Day games at Gihon Elementary School. Students spent the last day of school participating in a variety of games and activities. (Photo by Michael Erb)

PARKERSBURG — Wood County Schools held its last day of classes Friday for the 2016-17 school year.

Schools throughout the county held end-of-year activities this week, many culminating in special events and activities to mark the last day of school.

“We’ve had an awesome year,” said Gihon Elementary School Principal Lori Lowers. “We’re really proud of our students and we’re wrapping up the year with a fun field day.”

Physical education teacher Mischa Johnson said the event featured 14 stations, with students rotating between them every 15 minutes. Many of the stations were activities and challenges based on lessons learned throughout the year, but often with a watery twist.

“The sun is shining and we’re happy about that,” Johnson said.

Kindergartner Alyssa McCrady screams as cold water cascades over her during the Sponge-Soaker Relay Friday at Gihon Elementary School’s annual Field Day. Friday marked the last day of school for Wood County students. (Photo by Michael Erb)

Students competed in team relay races, musical chairs, sponge volleyball and other dexterity challenges. Students also had the opportunity to draw with chalk and play electronic physical activity games inside the school.

“We couldn’t have done this without all of our parent and staff volunteers,” Johnson said.

The district’s pre-kindergarten classes ended last week, and Wood County Schools seniors had their last day of school Monday, with graduation ceremonies held at high schools throughout the week.

For many schools, the end of year also means a transition as students move between grade and middle schools and from middle schools to high schools.

For the second year, VanDevender Middle School said goodbye to its eighth-grade class in style, holding a mini Academy Awards to recognize and celebrate student accomplishments. The eighth-graders walked the red carpet Friday and received “swag bags” before awards were announced for students in a variety of academic categories.

VanDevender Middle School Principal Darlene Murphy addresses the school’s outgoing eighth-graders Friday at the school’s annual red carpet Academy Awards ceremony. Friday marked the last day of school in Wood County, and the graduating eighth-graders will begin high school as freshmen in the fall. (Photo by Michael Erb)

“It is a good way to get our sixth- and seventh-graders excited about becoming eighth-graders, and a fun way to send off our eighth-graders by making them feel extra special,” said Principal Darlene Murphy. “This is our second year doing the Academy Awards, and the students have really been positive about it.”

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