The annual tradition took a different form this year, but the sentiments were stronger than ever. Every May, members of the graduating class whose earliest recollections include walking up the stone steps of the historic Hulbert Mansion in Park Slope, board a yellow Poly school bus and return for a last lunch sharing pizza and memories.

“This is a very special group. We are very proud of you.”

Matt Durando ‘96, P’30

This year, of the 17 students who participated, nine can look back at 14 or 15 years of Poly teachers, performances, games, and classes, including Bailey Chapin, Noa Dallimore, Jenna Denaver, Jordan Denaver, Alexandra Donovan, Rochelle Falikman, James Gravante, Andrew Howell, Liam Kinnane, Nathaniel Lewis, Madison Malerba, Kellan McCann, Alexandra Nava-Baltimore, Nicole Roitman, Seamus Signorelli, Hallie Stephenson, and Madison Stephenson.

As the members of the Class of 2020 enjoyed a Virtual Lunch with Lower School faculty, Assistant Head of Lower School Alison Flannery P’31, ‘32 surprised them with a thoughtfully curated slideshow of photos from their days as younger students and included snapshots of the Greek Gods project to Clapping Out on Fourth Grade Graduation day. “That was so special, “ said Alexandra Nava-Baltimore ’20.

“Where does the time go?” wondered PE teacher Matt Durando ‘96, P’30 as he saw the Class of 2020 faces pop on to the screen in those little Zoom boxes. The unexpected appearance of retired longtime Grade 4 teacher Pat Morris was a delight for all the seniors. She shared her own memories of the class including a piece of wood with all their signatures that she has kept all these years.

When teachers asked what the students remember most about Lower School, answers included the Grade 4 Art Stool project, the Persuasive Letters project, and Clapping Out. Flannery asked the students where they will be going to college and the list included USC, The New School, Bates, Haverford, University of Wisconsin, and Skidmore.

The faculty concurred that this had been a great group of students and art teacher Heidi Zarou ’86, P’22, ’22 said she was sorry not to be able to congratulate them in person. Durando said, as a member of the Alumni Board of Governors, “Feel free to reach out to me” if there is anything they need in college. “This is a very special group. We are very proud of you.”