With the sun shining down on the chalk covered asphalt of William Dutemple Elementary School, young students line up waiting for the bell to ring and the day to start. Excitedly, energy in the crowd of kids builds as the Cranston East boys and girls track teams gather around the elementary school’s entrances ready to cheer on and high-five the younger students entering the building.

High-five Fridays have become a day when different sports teams, clubs or groups from Cranston East walk down the street to William Dutemple Elementary and line up in front of the doors while offering encouragement, excitement for the day and high-fives to children as they enter school in the morning.

“Next week is the JORTC, our cadets, and the following week is the band,” said Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs Kaitlin Hitchings. “You know teenagers can get such a bad reputation, but then you see things like this and it's just wow.”

This energizing event just started this year with this being the fourth week of high school high-fives hitting the spot and bringing a dose of excitement to the simple act of walking into school.

“I had the idea and reached out to the principal here, who is a friend of mine, and asked him ‘What do you think if we bring some of the kids over,’” Hitchings said. “He said that he loved it so we did the first one, and we were like this is the best thing ever. Our kids love it, the younger kids love it and it’s such a fun way to start the day that they really look forward to.”

Maybe the best week so far, Hitchings recalled, was the girls basketball team. She said the entire team was screaming and cheering “Have a great day!” With two more high-five Fridays scheduled, Hitchings said that she is hoping to keep the new, but already beloved, tradition going.

“As soon as we get back from break we’re starting all the spring sports, so yeah we’re going to keep this going all the way through the end of the year,” said Hitchings before clapping and rushing to help greet more kids. “Happy Friday! Welcome.”