PIE holds Storybook Parade
The Pine Island Elementary (PIE) School brought books to life and celebrated the magic of autumn on Friday, Oct. 30, with its annual Storybook Parade — an event filled with creative costumes, literary pumpkins and a heartfelt send-off for a longtime staff member.
Students arrived at school transformed into their favorite storybook characters, filling the campus with color and imagination. In addition, they showcased their artistic skills through home-crafted “storybook pumpkins,” decorating and carving gourds into iconic scenes and characters from popular children’s books.
PIE families filled the school grounds to cheer on the parade, admire the pumpkin gallery and vote on their favorite creations, officials reported. Among the top honors awarded during the day was Cathy Frahm’s kindergarten class for Best Class Costumes for its coordinated outfits.
The most memorable moment took place during the parade’s final lap. Rhonda Dooley took the lead to bid an emotional farewell to students, families and colleagues. She is retiring after 38 years of dedicated service to the School District of Lee County.
To honor Dooley’s decades of dedication and celebrate a symbol uniquely meaningful to her, the entire school dressed up as ladybugs, filling the parade route with red and black spots in a vibrant tribute.
“As the parade concluded with cheers and well wishes, PIE wrapped up the day having celebrated reading, creativity and community spirit in the best possible way,” officials reported.