Students across the city are rejoicing: June 11 is the last day of school in the Wauwatosa School District. Goodbye, 2025-2026!
And the city’s two high schools are preparing to send off hundreds of graduating seniors, on June 12 at Tosa West’s graduation and on June 13 at Tosa East’s graduation. Goodbye, Wauwatosa schools!
But for a group of about 35 seniors from Tosa East, a more personal goodbye occurred in the afternoon June 9 at Roosevelt Elementary School. That was the place where many of these seniors began their educational journey as the Class of 2026. This has become an annual tradition for Tosa seniors across the city, putting on the cap and gown to return to their old elementary schools. Here in the Tosa East Towne neighborhood, that meant passing through the school doors on 74th Street as students one last time.
“It’s a lot smaller,” Ben Ruzicka said, reflecting on his old school — or perhaps his new perception of it. Ruzicka was one of first former Roosevelt Raptors to arrive around 2 p.m. wearing their red graduation gowns.
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The occasion at Roosevelt was more than a farewell visit to an old school. These seniors were joining the entire school community in saying goodbye to Roosevelt’s longtime principal.
“Mr. Supa!” senior Sophie Erickson said as Mark Supa walked through the cafeteria door carrying refreshments.