Sierra Madre School Flash Mob for Retiring Principal Gayle Bluemel

It's Friday morning, June 17th at 8:00am. Principal Gayle Bluemel has just sat down to the final meeting for the year of the Annual Fund Committee when the fire alarm goes off. Annoyed and confused by the interruption, she files out to the playground with students and teachers. The whole school is gathering on the blacktop, children lined up in their usual fire drill formation with teachers in the lead. Gayle is speaking to the Volunteer Fire Chief Rich Snyder and School Safety Chair Lisa Spigai about the reason the fire alarm is ringing. Suddenly, two of our lower campus Visual and Performing Arts Lead Teachers, Kim Sibbrel and TIna Ogron, begin to dance to the Beatles song "Ob-La-Di Ob-la-Da." Gayle notices the teachers dancing and walks forward to get a better view, bouncing along to the happy music. Quickly, the rest of the teachers join in and begin to dance too, as Gayle claps along to the music. Next, 4th and 5th grade and then 3rd grade students join the dance as well. The scope of the performance is growing and Gayle looks visibly moved by it. Up on the blacktop above the elementary students, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Middle School Performing Arts Kids led by teacher Emily Clark Simpson join the dance racing out from their hiding spot behind the handball wall. First graders and Kindergarteners reveal that they, too, are part of the dance. Not to be outdone, a group of 50+ parents run out from a nearby building and join in to cheers from the crowd. At this point, Gayle's hands have covered her face as tears flow freely. She is watching at least 800 Sierra Madre School Stakeholders dance in her honor to the refrain "La-la-la-la Life Goes On!" Last, but not least, 3 of our Sierra Madre Volunteer Firefighters join in for the very last line of the song. It was a moment that will not soon be forgotten by anyone in attendance. Once the dancing finishes, Gayle gives a heartfelt speech to the crowd and hugs abound.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• sierra
• madre
• school
• gayle
• bluemel
• flash
• mob
• fire
• drill
• retire

[SweetButtersotch]

I was in the flash mob too!

Go SME (Sierra Madre Elementray!!!)

we love and miss you Mrs.Gayle Bluemel!!!!

[realsanjuan]

awsome video, still remember her from early 90's. She was loved by every student, back then and now. Best wishes to Gayle Bluemel

[jenpix62]

now that was just awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HystraTheExplorer]

Very sweet and amazing. I hope that one day when I get my teaching license and make my way to principal, that I am as loved as this precious woman. Happy Retirement to you Gayle Bluemel. Know that you changed many a life.

[cristyzpt]

Excellent! You did a great job capuring the whole Event

[KarenBlackburn]

Wow! That was amazing! Good luck and a wonderful retirement to you! It is obvious that you have done your job.