EDITOR'S NOTE: Fifth grade teacher Bethany Kulchock wants to let parents know today's graduation is a "drive through." Vehicles should enter down City Park Drive and line up in the drop off lane. You will not be entering the school as this will all be handled outside.

 

One graduation will be taking place next week in Bridgeport. And while it may be a bit different, it looks like it could be a whole lot of fun.

 

Johnson Elementary School will hold a graduate parade for its fifth-grade students this Monday in Bridgeport. The school’s four fifth grade teachers worked with Principal Vicki Huffman and Assistant Principal Heather Holbert to come up with the idea.

 

The group of Bethany Kulchock, Barb Smith, Amy Straley and Taya Trent make up the fifth-grade teaching contingent. Kulchock, who spoke on behalf of the event, said the planning for this went smoothly as everyone wanted to make it a memorable event.

 

“What made it easy when we were planning this was just how bad we felt for our students,” said Kulchock. “The month of May is their month. It’s when they have Field Day, move up day where they get to go to Bridgeport Middle School and so many other things they look forward to.

 

“The fact that COVID took this from them breaks our hearts,” she continued. “We’re going to do everything we can to make this special.”

 

The special event will be held this coming Monday, June 1. It will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the school and individuals will enter the school as they typically would and then follow directions.

 

There will be five different stops for students as they graduate. Each stop, or station, will be different.

 

The first station will feature the fifth-grade staff. Teachers will talk to the students and have gifts for them as well.

 

The second station will see 30 or more staff members lined up on either side of the roadway. Those individuals will be cheering students on with pom poms, signs, and other creative ways to show their outgoing students they are appreciated.

 

Students will then have a chance to do two things at third stop. Students will be asked to return their textbooks and then pick up their belongings that have been removed from their lockers.

 

There is a chance the students may really like the fourth station. Chick-fil-A has donated treats for the students who will also receive a Zul’s Frozen Lemonade treat as well.

 

The final stop at station five will be the most important.

 

Huffman and Holbert will greet the students and officially send them off with the completion of their effort and work at Johnson Elementary.

 

“We just wanted to honor the kids and we think this will help do that,” said Kulchock. “Plus, we had a lot of help from the Bridgeport Police Department and (School Resource) Officer Jamie (Hamrick). It should be a lot of fun.”

 

Kulchock said staff will have gloves and face masks.

 

She also said Hamrick will have cones set up six feet apart to help with social distancing.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Vicki Huffman, left, and Heather Holbert, while the fifth grade teachers are shown in the middle photo. Bottom photo is an example of how cars will work through the Johnson Elementary parking lot that is similar to the "Carcade" parade held earlier this year. Bottom photo by Ben Queen Photograpy.