<p>Jessica Brien</p>

The pile of empty boxes waiting to be filled with the contents of Mr. Millers second- and third-grade classroom was a disheartening view as I entered his classroom recently to help his students write their bird reports.

It was such a sad, sad sight! Im not going to lie, I am getting watery eyes just remembering it as I write this. But that same evening the Cannon Beach families and staff attended an open house at Seaside Heights Elementary, where our students will be attending next year, and those smiling faces of our students filled me with hope.

At the heart of a school are the students, staff and volunteers. Yes, we will miss our little school terribly, but I can tell you that the Cannon Beach PTO is wholly dedicated to our students. We have already begun to integrate with the PTO at Seaside Heights, and we look forward to a positive transition in the fall. I am thankful as a parent that we have such amazing people who have surrounded our children. The location might change, but the purpose wont.

Yes, those rumors are true! The Cannon Beach Elementary School will host a Celebration of the Cannon Beach Elementary School from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 13 at the school. Please join us in celebrating the history of our beloved school.

This is open to all of the community, and we hope that you will attend and share with your friends and family as well. Follow us on Facebook at Celebration of Cannon Beach Elementary School.

The PTO will provide barbequed hamburgers, hotdogs and beverages. Please bring your favorite side dish or dessert to share and maybe even a lawn chair or two. Tentative plans include a music DJ or maybe a band, slide show, and maybe even a few door prizes.

George Vetter will take a photo of all alumni at 7 p.m. George has donated an all school photo each year for the last 10 years or so. We will be forever grateful to George for making these still memories for us to look back at. These photos will be on display, as well as many years of yearbooks and school memorabilia. Bring your memorabilia, and take a stroll down memory lane with your old classmates and teachers.

Speaking of slide shows and photos we need your help! Previous Cannon Beach student, eighth-grader Eric Simmons, has taken on the task of putting together a slide show to be used during the celebration. If you have any photos that we can use for the slide show, we would love to include them. We promise that they will be returned. Drop them off to the school office soon or email them to buffy.simmons@ yahoo.com

Cannon Beach Elementary School alumni sweatshirts also are available. If you are interested in purchasing one, please call the school at 503-436-2294 or email me at brien.jessica@yahoo.com There is a limited quantity available, so get yours now!

May and June are always busy field trip months for students because the weather is a tad bit nicer than the rest of the school year. We would like to send a huge thanks to Jan Martin who sponsored our entire school to attend the Portland Timbers soccer game and health fair. Students and staff alike had a blast, and we sincerely appreciate the memories created. Thank you, Jan!

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Jessica Brien is the co-vice president of the Cannon Beach Elementary Parent Teacher Organization. She can be reached at brien.jessica@yahoo.com or by calling the school at (503) 436-2294.