Students wish teacher a happy birthday

The sounds of kids screaming “Cha, Cha, Cha!” echoed through the Quinn Elementary School as the students sang Happy Birthday to Pauline Tavares, a retired teacher. 

“I am totally and absolutely shocked,” said Tavares, “They kept it such a big surprise.”

Tavares taught kindergarten for a number of years, but didn’t stop teaching after she retired. She continued to volunteer at the elementary school, leading reading groups, math games and reading aloud to the students. 

As this is a milestone birthday for her, teachers Michelle Giosa and Laura Jenkins decided to surprise her. They told Tavares she was coming in to help with a Positive Behavior Instructional Support assembly, which is held once a month. 

“She does so much for us and she’s so kind to the students,” said Jenkins. “We wanted to give her something back and let her know how we truly appreciate her.”

To ensure this was a surprise, they held the assembly on Thursday, Oct. 8,  a week before her actual birthday.

When she entered the auditorium, the students were quite positive but not because of any assembly. They held signs and sang the happy birthday song at the top of their lungs. 

The sign the students held up for her as she entered had a smiley face, a bee, and then “D,” “A,” “Y” and a graphic “!”

“She’s our queen bee,” said Jenkins. 

Each student as well as members of the faculty wrote letters to her, which were put in a book for Tavares to keep. This didn’t stop individual students from creating gifts for her; some drew pictures, others like Abbygale and Layla came up with a song to sing for her. 

Tavares did not leave without reading a book aloud for the children; she read “Birthday Queen” by Audrey Wood. 

As the kids filed out, every one wished her a happy birthday and many gave her a hug. 

“To see all the children I’ve had is wonderful,” said Tavares. 

She added, “I love them.”