NORWAY – “Same time, same place,” called Rowe Elementary School Principal George Sincerbeaux on Friday as students rushed out of school. “Have a great summer.”

Hundreds of students across SAD 17 were dismissed for the summer, 12 days later than expected due to the numerous snowstorms this winter.

“Thirty-four years and I’ve never been this tired,” Sincerbeaux said as he prepared to go outside and bring the buses into the loop to begin dismissal. “It must have been those 12 extra days.”

Students were also ready for vacation as they waited for the buses.

“I’m going to be outside a lot and reading,” said Dayton Westleigh as he held his thumb and index finger about five inches apart to show how big the fantasy books are that he will read.

For Reese Waley, the summer will take him fishing at Norway Lake and a nearby river. Although he only caught one fish this year, he said, “I saw a really big bass,” as he held his arms far apart to show how big the fish was.

Alex Westleigh said he expects to be mostly outside and on his Playstation.

Alex will attend Oxford Hills Middle School in Paris in the fall. “It’s really, really big,” he said of the building. This year, he said his favorite things about sixth grade were having new teachers and being able to rotate classes, something he will do more of in middle school.

With lots of smiles and some tears, the students boarded the buses and waved to their principal and teacher as they drove off.

“Some of us work all summer, but without a tie” said Sincerbeaux with a smile as he headed back into the school building.