Wood End School Principal Richard Davidson will retire this year. His students and teachers celebrated his career Monday afternoon with a surprise assembly. 

To kick off the assembly, teachers took turns reading from the principal's favorite book A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech. Then Davidson watched a compilation of messages from students and teachers on video. The students said that they will miss Davidson and that they did not want to say goodbye. 

"Thank you for being a great principal," one message said. "Happy retirement. We will never forget you."

Students from pre-k to fourth grade took the stage to perform a personalized song for Davidson, followed by the fifth graders who sang and executed a choreographed dance routine that teachers participated in. Take a look at the video attached to this post to see some of that performance.

"I was totally surprised," Davidson said. "It was a wonderful experience. I appreciate everything they do and the hard work they do every day."

He credited any success he's had as principal to his staff and the parents of his students.

"It is a fine, fine school," he said.

Later in the day, the Wood End PTO held a retirement party for Davidson with parents and colleagues.