At Willow School, kindergarteners once again turned cardboard into creativity on May 27 during the school’s annual box car parade, a long-running tradition that marks the end of the school year and the students’ transition into first grade.

The event, described by staff as a “rite of passage,” is tied to a transportation unit in which students design and build cardboard box “cars,” complete with paint, decorations, and handmade license plates before parading them around the school.

“This is a Willow School tradition. We’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember,” said Shelley Peck, District 153 communications director. “It’s a rite of passage for our kindergartners, and they have been studying transportation, so they make box cars… and that’s how they cruise into first grade.”

According to staff, families and volunteers play a major role in assembling the cardboard vehicles, sometimes using tools to help secure the structures.

“To my knowledge, they all collected a cardboard box, painted the box with the design they wished to paint, and they all made individualized license plates,” said parent Eric Comiskey. “I know they bring in volunteers to help put the boxes together… there’s some screwdriving that goes into play, power tools that are used.”

Not every student approached the experience with the same enthusiasm, Comiskey added when asked about his child’s reaction.

“He is terrified,” he said.

Despite the nerves from some students, the parade remains a highlight of the kindergarten experience, with teachers and staff helping students decorate and prepare their vehicles in the days leading up to the event.

Parent Jim Hayes noted the effort that goes into the project and the excitement it builds at the end of the school year.

“It’s the end of the year, so everyone was excited to get out of here,” Hayes said. “Teachers helped them out, painting, paint on the shoes, paint on the clothes, but all worked with smiles on the kids’ faces at the end of the day.”

The box car parade has become a well-known school tradition that families often remember long after their children move on.

As kindergarteners “drove” their decorated box cars first through the school halls and then outside Willow School, the 2026 celebration gave the kids their chance to mark both the end of the school year and the beginning of a new one ahead.