Schools

Clap-Out Marks New Tradition at St. Pat's School

It's hello to middle school, goodbye to Principal Dr. Marion Hobbie.

Students, teachers and parents marked an annual event in a new way Friday when the fifth grade students moved up to middle school.

The school community lined the sidewalks and grounds of Saint Patrick School for a clap-out, the first ever held at the school for fifth graders.

The transition from fifth to sixth grade at Saint Patrick marks some significant changes for Chatham's only private Catholic school. Sixth grade students get new uniforms and attend classes in a different building than the younger students, and while there is no graduation ceremony as there is for kindergarteners and eighth graders, the change does mark the transition from childhood to young adulthood.

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In one of her last acts as principal of Saint Patrick School, Dr. Marian Hobbie led the two fifth-grade classes along the walkway out of the elementary building and toward the upper school classrooms. Hobbie will step down as principal at the end of this academic year.

Do you have photos of the fifth grade clap-out? What about of Saint Patrick's graduation this year? Click on the camera icon above and add them to this gallery!

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