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MOSCOW — There’s nothing like celebrating the end of an era by throwing a pie in someone’s face.

Students and teachers spent their final day at Russell Elementary, in Moscow, on Wednesday playing games and celebrating the end of the school year on the school’s playground as part of “Asphalt Day.”

Principal Marianne Sletteland said students who displayed respect, readiness to learn, and responsibility, otherwise known as the “Three R’s,” were given a golden ticket. That ticket allowed them to toss a pie at a student or teacher’s face.

Later in the day, the graduating fifth graders ran through a “human tunnel” of staff and students to commemorate the end of their elementary school journey.

While there were smiles and laughter all around, Wednesday was a bittersweet day for those participating in Asphalt Day.

The Moscow School District is closing the century-old Russell Elementary for good, and the staff and students will be transferred to other Moscow schools starting next school year.

“I feel like it needs to be closed down after these years, but it’s a bit sad losing this school and going back to a different one,” said fourth grader Quinn Hughes-Bynum.

Hughes-Bynum will head to West Park Elementary next year for fifth grade. He is excited about it, but will miss teachers like Taylor Bieker, who he said “really challenged me and helped me learn.”

During Asphalt Day, Hughes-Bynum had fun playing basketball and throwing a pie at teacher Glenn Adams’ face.

Sletteland said the final day of Russell was “a little surreal” and “kind of sad at the same time.”

But she is excited for what’s to come, Sletteland said.

The Moscow School Board voted earlier this year to close the school partly because of the aging building’s deficiencies. The board also believed the closure will enable Moscow School District to address other financial and facilities needs across the district.

Fourth grade teacher Stephanie Schneegans has spent her entire 13-year career at Russell. She feels sad about the closure, but is maintaining an optimistic attitude.

“It is bittersweet because, working here, I understand the decision to move forward and so we’re looking ahead to a brighter future and making sure the kids’ academics are well-supported no matter where we are,” she said.

Title I teacher Sheryl Gomez said the building carries a lot of history. Many people in the community, including her own children, went to school there. She said change is always hard “but always good and it helps us grow.”

Gomez and Schneegans said Asphalt Day was a chance for everyone to make some more good memories at Russell while they could.

“To celebrate together and have one final day where we can be together and send everyone off on a positive note,” Schneegans said.

Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.