Last Friday was the final day of school for the students at St. Anthony, but with distancing learning in effect, students and staff never had a chance to say good-bye in person.

The school held a drive-by — or “drive-bye”— parade, allowing students and teachers to close out the 2020 school year with love and support.

Twenty-one teachers and staff members lined up between the school and the playground. All St. Anthony personnel used appropriate social distancing and were spaced six feet apart, while families drove through as a mini-parade.

The entire drive-bye lasted 30 minutes with vehicles backed up for blocks on State Street. Vehicles passed by with enthusiastic students waving to their teachers. Some vehicles were decorated in support of the educators.

Twenty-one SAE teachers and staff lined up at a safe distance to say good-bye to students.

It was an emotional experience for many of the teachers. Several became teary-eyed upon seeing their students again.

Principal Shelly Bauer dabbed her eyes with a kleenex several times.

“They are like extended family,” Bauer said.

Amber Bentler, the school administrative assistant, said it showed the staff truly loves the students and they were missed.

Dozens of cars packed to the brim with SAE students participated in the “drive-bye” celebration on Saturday. Several vehicles were decorated as mini-parade floats.

SAE teachers lined up in a row with signs of support. A few teachers and staff even celebrated with bubble machines.

Several students spelled out their feelings for the teachers of St. Anthony Elementary.