Wednesday marked the last day of public school for the academic year in the city.

At. P.S. 165 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, music and bubbles ushered in the start of summer break.

Some students said they were excited about going to the beach, others were looking forward to summer camp or vacation plans.

When asked about their favorite part of the school year, many cited specific lessons they learned or field trips their class took.

This year, students and staff at P.S. 165 also pulled off a surprise afternoon assembly to honor their principal, Aracelis Castellano Folk, who is retiring after spending her entire 30-year education department career at the school. Castellano Folk attended the school herself as a child.

Schools Chancellor David Banks made a surprise appearance at the commemoration.

“She was a student in this school since she was in the first grade. She was a teacher, a para, an assistant principal, a principal. Everybody in the school knows her, they all love her, and I wanted to be here with her,” Banks said.

Castellanos Folk received a standing ovation that brought her to tears before delivering a message she wanted to leave with her students as she retired.

“I came here every day, and I was so happy to see your faces. I will miss you so much, but I’ll be back to visit. I’ll be back to visit. But I just say, remember that you are loved,” Castellanos Folk said.

For some children, it won’t be a very long summer vacation: 110,000 students will be returning to classrooms for the Summer Rising program on July 2.