Students, Alumni Of All Ages Gather For Drive-By School Parade

PLEASANTON, CA — Some 375 Donlon Elementary School families were treated to a drive-by parade this month, a chance for students to say goodbye to teachers as classes were called off for the summer.

The parade was such a hit that even a trash truck driver spontaneously joined in, said organizer and science teacher Patty Hanafee.

"It was unreal," she said.

Hanafee got the idea to organize a parade for students sheltering in place and gauged her colleagues' interest. They were in.

She put out a survey asking families if they'd like their home to be added to the parade route. There were 200 responses in the first 90 minutes, Hanafee said.

"It was insane how quickly people responded," she said.

All said and done, about 80 percent of Donlon families signed up.

She shared the route in advance and about 750 people gathered for the parade, Hanafee said. There were people waiting at every turn.

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It wasn't just elementary school students in the crowd. There were middle schoolers, high schoolers, even college kids lining up to see the parade.

They carried signs thanking teachers, telling teachers they were missed and saying the school phrase, "Once a cub, always a cub," she said.

The parade was led by Hanafee and a Pleasanton Police Department officer. She recalled looking over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of some of the 50 cars behind her and realizing just how big the parade was.

"It was really heartwarming," she said.

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