Class Dismissed : Students at Most Schools in County Start Their Summer Vacations

Students munched on sweets, exchanged tearful goodbys and, at one Camarillo elementary school, compared limousine rides on Friday, as most public schools across Ventura County ended classes for the start of summer vacation.

While Simi Valley Unified and Conejo Valley Unified will remain open for another week, most other school districts let students out on Friday under appropriately blue and sunny skies.

Among those were pupils at Camarillo Heights elementary school, where 12-year-old Kevin Valenzano found a gray stretch limousine waiting to whisk him and five friends away after their last day of school Friday.

“It’s cool,” pronounced Kevin.

“It’s rad,” corrected his 12-year-old buddy, Joe Permen.

Kevin received the $200 limo ride as a gift from his mother, who said she wanted to see her son end his days as a sixth-grader in style.

“It sure beats the bus,” Debra Valenzano said.

But Valenzano’s hopes for providing her son with a unique gift were dashed when another limousine--this one a little longer and shinier--glided by with another group of youngsters aboard.

“That one’s longer than ours,” Valenzano sighed.

Other students at the 540-student elementary school sang songs, ate cookies and brownies and gave presents to their teachers. Teacher Phil Guthrie led his class of fifth- and sixth-graders in a rousing song called “Froggy.”

“There’s a lot of sugar around here today,” said school secretary Mary Whitley, eyeing plates of cupcakes and gallons of fruit punch. “You can tell the kids are really wired.”

Margaret Stice, who was retiring after 40 years, gave hugs to her final class of first-graders.

“I’m excited about retirement, but I sure am going to miss these kids,” Stice said.

Just before the bell rang at noon, sixth-grade students stared at the clock and began counting down. “Three minutes left!” yelled one exuberantly.

The last-day excitement was also visible at Rio Del Valle middle school in El Rio, where 248 eighth-graders picked up diplomas in ceremonies on Friday. Families and friends watching from a grassy quad cheered as graduates were called to the podium by Principal Rafael Perez.

“We are extremely proud of you,” Perez told the students. “And we expect to--expect to--see you at your high school graduation in four years,” he said.

Afterward, two tearful teen-age girls, who said they are best friends, clung to each other.

“I’m leaving and she’s staying,” explained Joann Borja, 14, of Oxnard. Joann will attend Rio Mesa High School next year, while her friend, 13-year-old Tanya Holguin of El Rio, will be an eighth-grader at Rio Del Valle.

Jeannette Mora, 14, and Marisa Hernandez, 15, watched as other graduates swirled around them, taking pictures, greeting family and hugging friends. Jeannette and Marisa said their plans for the summer are simple.

“We’re going to to go the beach and check out the guys,” Marisa said.