By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

As children celebrate the last days of school, many teachers are celebrating the beginning of retirement with receptions held in their honor.

Wilson Elementary is honoring four longtime teachers within the district Thursday: kindergarten teacher Jonita Windholz has taught in the district for 35 years, physical education teacher Patti Weber for 19 years, and second-grade teacher Kathy Harper and speech and language pathologist Jan Bunker are each celebrating 37 years of service.

“Looking at the number of years they have given our district and our students, that is a lot of years of service,” Wilson Elementary Principal Tom Meagher said. “I think it’s important to thank them for what they have done for the kids and everybody here in USD 489. … It’s hundred of lives (teachers) have impacted.”

The Wilson retirement reception is Thursday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. in the school library, 101 E. 28th.

A reception to honor the retirement Nancy Harman, O’Loughlin’s Elementary’s principal for 25 years and a teacher at O’Loughlin prior, is planned at the school, 1401 Hall St. Tuesday at 3:45 p.m.

The staff at Roosevelt Elementary is also hosting a reception for their retiring teachers next week; Lois Britten (39 years of service) Linda Lang (35 years), Nina McNeal (22 years) and Sheryl Rader, (34 years).

The reception will be held in the library of Roosevelt Elementary, 2000 MacArthur, Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.