Photos: On Last Day Of School, Madison Sends Students Off To "Read, Read, Read"

Madison teachers, staff and administrators lined James Madison Drive on Tuesday as buses and cars filled with students drove off into summer. But they had one last message: "Read, Read, Read!"

"We want to show our students that learning never stops – not for adults, nor for students -- even during the long, hot days of summer," Assistant Principal Yusef Azimi said. "We want to show our students that reading is a life-long activity, not just [an activity] in K-12 school."

Staff blew air horns and squawkers and sprayed silly string as students departed. Principal Mark Merrell held a sign that said, “READ,” while Vice Principals Susan Robeson and Kristin Dougherty held a sign that said, “EXAMS ARE OVER!  YAY!”

The staff will be committing to reading as well: each teacher is paired up with an administrator for a book reading assignment this summer.

Administrators will moderate discussions online with teachers via Blackboard, Azimi said.

For a glimpse of the event, click through our photo gallery.