The Mather Elementary School on the top of Meeting House Hill held its annual Spring Fling neighborhood party on Sat., June 8, while looking with anticipation to next year when the institution will be celebrating its 385th birthday as the first tax- supported elementary school in America.

With a strong parent council and community support, the school is thriving, said Principal Hai Son, who is in his third year as the school’s leader.

“The great thing about this celebration is that our families run this,” he said. “We work with them, but they run it themselves. This is for Mather families and everyone living around us. We’re happy and blessed to have such a great community and parent council at the Mather.”

The school will be crossing a major milestone next year in expanding to a sixth grade, making it a K-6 school for the first time and eliminating the stress of having to find a new school for fifth graders for one year before middle school. With the expansion, school leaders and families said it was a much easier decision to pick and stay at the Mather until middle school. All fifth graders this year will be in school for next year’s inaugural sixth grade class.

The Spring Fling, with arts and crafts tables, several bounce houses, and food and ice cream, was a hit for hundreds of children and parents who attended under beautiful sunny skies.

Jonathan, Sophia, and An Nguyen liked the sunshine and the popsicles.

Laura, Lenney, and Sara Edouard take a break in the shade from the festivities.