Photos: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students, teachers hug their way to summer break

Sendoffs for fifth-graders and eighth-graders, cold treats, water activities and Pre-K dance moves at River Oaks Academy — there was plenty of celebrating the end of the year around Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools this week.

Sterling Elementary students Axel Guevara Villanueva, left, and Mackenzie Sanchez Alvarado, right, hugged each other as they said goodbye before boarding the school buses to begin his summer break Friday when the final bell rang.

“For us it is a culmination of all the hard work and love we have for them…seeing the tears shows the love they have for us and we have done our jobs,” said principal Dr. Emily Miles.

Superintendent Crystal Hill, who was officially sworn into the position Tuesday at the school board meeting, also participated in end-of-year activities, visiting both Jay M. Robinson Middle and Ashley Park Elementary schools. School board chair Elyse Dashew and member Lenora Shipp were on hand at the River Oak Academy to watch a pre-K “stepping up to kindergarten” ceremony.

Students are on summer break until the first day of the 2023-24 school year — Monday, Aug. 28.