Topping Out Ceremony - July 13, 2011

I got an e-mail mentioning that on July 13, 2011 they would be having the "Topping Out" ceremony.  That's placing the final top beam (the one we all signed) on the building.  So I sent out an e-mail to my students and told them if they were interested they could meet me at the school at 8:30 that morning. I had 3 students arrive to photograph this event.  They were Connor, Melissa and Heather.  It was so nice to get to see them in the middle of sumer!  We entered the job site via the construction road and then waited for the event. There were school committee members, Mrs. Altham Hickey, secretaries, photographers and misc. people who attended.

These photos were taken by Connor.  He was very smart to catch a photo of the new Freeman Kennedy School for us.  Thank you Connor, this should go on the front page!

Here's the beam, all signed and ready to be hung.  Do you see the tree on the end of it?  That is a tradition for these ceremonies and it symbolizes growth and is supposed to bring good luck. They also usually place a flag on the beam as well.

I think Connor took a self portrait!

There goes the beam!

Connor was also smart to capture photos of the people who attended!

These are Mrs. Teague's photos.  I couldn't believe how much work had been done since our last day of school.  None of the classroom framework had been started and now it's all done!

In the middle of it all the breakfast truck came by.  Now I read that part of the Topping Out ceremony sometimes included a meal.  I don't know if that's the reason they were there or if it's just a daily event.  I'll have to ask next time I see Greg and Paul.  I have to say it smelled mighty good!

There's the beam all in place.  I wonder if my new classroom will be near it, after all I do have a special connection to it since only my students got to sign it!