As the school year wraps up, many students will move on to the next phases of their education without promotion or commencement ceremonies due to restrictions enacted as the COVID-19 pandemic escalated. Although in-person events are diminished in frequency these days, the celebratory spirit remains strong and nowhere is that truer than at Greenbriar’s Children’s Center.

Windy’s Pre-school, an early learning center owned and operated by Greenbriar, has found a way to honor its pre-k students who are moving onto kindergarten while still adhering to all safety and social distancing standards. At noon on Friday, May 15, Windy’s will have a “drive-thru bridging ceremony” for their students at the center, located at 429 Tatnall Street .

Students and their families will be invited to drive through the Windy’s campus so rising kindergarteners can receive their certificates of completion and a few other special mementos. They’ll also be able to bid farewell to their teachers and the school administrators.

All Windy’s staffers will wear masks and ensure six feet of space remains between every attendee present. Greenbriar board members will also be present to congratulate the 19 students.

“We’ve watched these children grow up; some since 12 months of age. Many have been with us at Windy’s for years and it’s incredible to see them progress and become amazing, intelligent little people with such personalities,” Greenbriar Executive Director Gena Taylor said. “We could not let this occasion go by unmarked. Even though it’s not the big celebration we imagined, we’re so happy to be able to hold a drive-thru bridging ceremony for the little ones who are leaving us to attend kindergarten next year.”