"Closed for the season."

That's what one fourth-grade student's shirt read at Homestead Wakefield Elementary School in Bel Air for the last day of school Friday afternoon.

Parker Grebe was "happy" to be finished for the year, he said, and excited to go to Great Wolf Lodge and Ocean City. Parker joined other shouting children, all ready to be done with school for two months, at least.

Another fourth grader, Sydney Fisher, said she, too, felt "good" now that school was out and would spend her summer swimming and traveling.

The two elementary school students weren't the only ones looking forward to summer break. One teacher in particular, Stuart Richardson, was not only leaving for the summer but for good.

Richardson, a fifth grade math teacher, is retiring after 42 years of service.

"It's kind of a weird feeling," he said. "You don't know how to exactly feel. I've been at it for a long time."

Richardson said he plans to relax before possibly working part-time in the future.

Pat Clements, an instructional assistant at Homestead-Wakefield, was experiencing mixed emotions too, although she is not leaving.

"It's fun but, you know, you have your sad moments too," she said.

At nearby Bel Air Middle School, even more students streamed out of the building, some teary-eyed and others ecstatic for break and vacations.

Many of the eighth graders would be going separate ways next year, some to Bel Air High School and others to other area schools.

Daniel Engbert and Benjamin Waida are both going on to The Science and Mathematics Academy at Aberdeen High School next year, and Daniel said he was "upset" to be leaving some of his friends.

For the summer, he said he would be working at a Boy Scout Camp. Benjamin said he would be going to Ocean City.

Incoming eighth graders Mimi Salters and Julie Bernoski were both looking forward to the summer and especially "no more math homework."

"We're excited for the summer," Mimi said, with Julie adding "it'll be fun." The girls will be going to Myrtle Beach and Ocean City, respectively.

Josh Carlon, on the other hand, will be staying in Harford County as a counselor-in-training at the Bel Air Athletic Club. Josh is going into seventh grade and he, too, was happy for school to end for the summer.

"It's really exciting," he said. "It's something to look forward to."

The last day isn't just about teachers and students either, as the bus drivers get to experience it, as well.

Bridgett Akers was finishing up her first year as a driver and said she had "liked it" and it was "good."

Bob Flens, however, had been through it all before and was prepared for the hectic dismissal, calling it "exhilarating." He was also ready for the summer.

"I'm glad to see another year end," he said.