PHOTOS: Ready to Replace Outmoded School, CMS Says Farewell to Fields

On Friday the entire Central Middle School community – 508 students and 90 staff – bade a memorable farewell to the school’s fields at 9 Indian Rock Lane. Soon, a new school will be constructed on the fields, and ultimately the outmoded 50’s era building will be demolished.

The day of activities was organized by PTA leaders Kerri Gruss, Mia Gyesky and Gabbi Feinstein. The trio and a host of volunteers planned activities including hot chocolate, sidewalk chalk, and marshmallow toss to mark the occasion.

Also, the school’s head of PE, Nancy Tarantino and her team also organized the day for students along with Anne Rockel in charge of parent volunteers.

Friday was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for the day to culminate in a fierce but wildly fun dodgeball championship between students and staff.

Amid the activities, the school gathered on the field for a massive group photo.

In conversation, 8th graders, who won’t experience the new building as students, took the building’s shortcomings in stride, joking that the most worn out part of the building was, “everything.”

Other students described passing a pencil or sheet of paper from the second floor to the first through a gap between the floor and the wall.

It’s likely many of the middle schoolers won’t comprehend the significance of the events of Nov 15, 2024 until some point in the future when they reflect on the moment in time.

Long live Central Middle School. Cheers to the amazing students and staff.

Connor Smith and Dylan Pond, 8th graders at CMS, pose by a chalk rendering of the school’s updated Cougar mascot, created by Katie Peden We love it.Nov 25, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Sadie Dutile heads from the group photo in the field to the tennis courts where students and staff faced off in a fierce game of dodgeball. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Taylor Gruss, Luke Gyesky and Ryan Feinstein sporting updated CMS Cougar gear, ready for the dodgeball championship. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

CMS students participated in a day of activities to bid farewell to the school’s fields at 9 Indian Rock Lane. Soon, a new school will be constructed on the fields, and ultimately the outmoded 50’s era building will be demolished. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

CMS principal Tom Healy organized the entire Central Middle School community for a group photo amid events to mark the surrender of the school fields to a new building. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

The entire Central Middle School community posed for a group photo as they said a formal farewell to the school fields. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Existing CMS fields will become home to a new school building. Later, the 1950s era building will be demolished. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

The entire Central Middle School community posed for a group photo as they said a formal farewell to the school fields. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

CMS principal Tom Healy and staff prepare to face off in a dodgeball championship against students. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Victorious CMS staff revel in victory over students in a dodgeball championship game. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

CMS students ready for a dodgeball championship game against staff. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

CMS students ready for a dodgeball championship game against staff. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

CMS students ready for a dodgeball championship game against staff. Nov 15, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager