John Paulding Students Fly Around the World to Say Goodbye to a Beloved Principal

While flights around Europe were in disarray last week after the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland, John Paulding students had clear skies.

"All flights are leaving on time, this is a great day for flying John Paulding Airlines," said Principal-turned-pilot Marilyn Mercado-Belvin.

Students waved goodbye with a look of bewilderment and wonder as they took in their surroundings - their entire school had been transformed into an airport, and classrooms were retrofitted to look like different countries from around the globe.

John Paulding's Trip Around the World, is a yearly tradition that has been going on at the school for ten years, and has grown into one of the school's biggest annual events.

What started as small, educational booths that were open to view in the evening, has now become far more elaborate in construction: wall murals adorn the halls, cardboard-constructed flight towers and bag scanners greet children as they enter the airport, plus there are plenty of artifacts, foods and activities that highlight all aspects of life and culture in six different countries.

"We had an army of parents here helping to set this up," said teacher Cathy Lopane-Chulla. "For some of our kids this may be the closest they get to going somewhere like this."

This year, student's visited India, Ireland, Germany, Canada, Mexico and Egypt. They danced traditional steps in Ireland and Mexico, sang in German, counted in Irish Gaelic, and played Carom in India and table hockey in Canada.

But it's not all about fun and games, the foundations for learning are being developed in these imaginative educational settings.

"The children get to look at the different currencies and different alphabets, and as young readers that is a big deal for them," Mercado-Belvin said. "The exposure really helps them in terms of seeing the world beyond themselves, to see different cultures, mindsets and beliefs."

However, the day didn't come without some tears. This is the last year that John Paulding will have first grade students. It was also the last year that Mercado-Belvin, who started the Trip Around the World event, will be head of the school. She retires at the end of the year, along with Morse principal Meghan Fitzgerald.

"It's a little emotional," Mercado-Belvin said. "It's an event that is very dear to me and I am hoping it will continue."

Parents, staff and students surprised Mercado-Belvin, after returning home from their around-the-world flight, with the dedication of a tree to celebrate her 11 years as the head of John Paulding.

"You are Marilyn Mercado-Belvin's last class of first graders," teacher Leslie Meehan said to the gathered students. "And you are the last first grade class to walk to halls of John Paulding."

Two students from each class read a poem they made for Mercado-Belvin which brought tears to her, and many other's, eyes.

District superintendent Howard Smith also praised the work she had done as head of the school, and presented a plaque in her honor that will rest in front of the newly-planted tree.

"We have trees resembling important people. This is a wonderful tradition we have in this school," he said, while noting the relocation of first grade students next year doesn't necesarily mean the end of traditions like Trip Around the World.

"It's an opportunity to create new traditions, but we don't want to let go of the really special ones," he said.