The last day of school at Polk Elementary School marked the end of an era.

When all the students, teachers and staff stood in front of the building for the end of the school year's traditional last wave, it really was the last wave.In March the Pleasant Valley School District voted to close the building at the end of the school year due to declining districtwide enrollment.Polk's students will now attend Pleasant Valley Elementary School beginning in the fall.The Polk Elementary School building has a long history. It began when the eight one-room schools in the Kresgeville area consolidated in 1929 when a brick building was built to house grades one to 12.The school was built when the Rev. George G. Kunkle, professor Leon Werley and O.A. Krechel managed to convince Sebastian S. Kresge, founder of S.S. Kresge stores (later Kmart,) to donate $25,000 for the consolidated school.In 1961, Polk became an elementary school for kindergarten through sixth grade. Later, it only went through fourth grade.Polk is the district's third elementary school to close due to declining enrollment.First was Eldred Elementary in 2010, followed by Chestnuthill Elementary in 2013. Polk ended the 2013-2014 year with 216 students.The district expects to save money by the closing, with a reduction of at least seven staff members and a cost reduction of $1,178,664.Polk Principal Erica Greer said it was an emotional but great day, as evidenced by the many students quietly crying, wiping tears and hugging teachers as they left the building for the last time."The kids were positive, the staff was positive. It was a fantastic end to a great year. We had parents here celebrating with the students and staff. The kids love being in this school," said Greer.One such student was Daniel Buchiane, 7, a Polk first-grader."He really loved being here, and he's sad about leaving," said his mother, Stacy Buchiane of Kresgeville."His sister, Sydney, 11, went to Polk from kindergarten to fourth grade. Polk had a small-school atmosphere and everyone knew everyone else. It is really a wonderful school."Three women also bid a fond farewell to Polk, its students and staff as they began their retirement at the close of the school year. They are Winnie Serfass, JoAnne Cole and Julie Weiss.Serfass is retiring from the cafeteria with 14 years at Polk."It was great working with the kids. When the kids were short of money, I'd pay their way. It's bittersweet saying goodbye, but you've got to keep on moving," Serfass said.Cole worked 21 years as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher, 19 of them at Polk."I'm going to miss it. It's really been a family here, and I'll miss my colleagues. I've learned a lot from the children and staff," Cole said.Weiss taught seven years at St. Peter's Preschool and 17 years as a kindergarten teacher in Pleasant Valley."We were a small building but a big family. It's hard saying goodbye to Polk. I was a student here and then a teacher. But it's time to start a new chapter," Weiss said.