Students and teachers at an elementary school in Luzerne County bid an emotional farewell Friday morning. After 89 years the Pringle Street School in Kingston shut its doors for good.
It was a morning filled with song, tears and hugs as students and teachers said goodbye to their Pringle Street Elementary School in Kingston.
The Wyoming Valley West school board voted to close the school to save money and move the students next school year to State Street School in Larksville.
Lynne Van Orden and her four children all went to Pringle Street Elementary.
"It's like us. It's a community school. We're all one big family. The teachers know every student by name. The students know the teachers," Van Orden said.
"I think I'll miss the magic. I always said there was something special about the Pringle Street School. We work as a team. The kids are great, the faculty's amazing, everyone gets along. It's a good team approach," said reading specialist Dr. Patricia Burns.
Closing the doors after 89 years isn't only emotional for the teachers, it's also emotional for the students, some who have only been here for just a few months.
"Very emotional because the school is closing down and we won't be able to see half our friends,"said student Dasia Desilva.
"My friends were like the best to me and so were the teachers. Yeah, I love them a lot," said student Joshua Sanfillippo. "Very emotional."
Before the students and faculty left Pringle Street for good, head teacher Dr. Patricia Karlonis delivered a teary-eyed goodbye, surrounded by fifth graders. She began with a quote from likely one of the most read authors inside the school, Dr. Seuss.
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. I hope you will always remember this day. I hope you will always remember Pringle Street and I'll tell you, I'm going to miss all of you. Thanks," Karlonis said.