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Children throughout the city are celebrating the end of the school year, and the start of summer vacation.

Students at P.S. 57 in East Harlem said their summers are going to be packed with fun activities.

"I will go to the beach, to the park, and the pool," said one student.

"I'm going away to sleep away camp and I just plan to have a good time with my friends," said another.

The kids were greeted by Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, who called this past school year in the city a powerful one.

"Take a deep breath, say thank goodness for another great school year in New York City public schools," he said.

Students expressed mixed feelings about the school year coming to a close.

"We worked really hard on our tests and we are glad that it's finally over," said one student.

"It feels fun, but also it feels sad to say goodbye to our friends that we knew and saying goodbye to the principal, because we won't see them for long," said another.

There had been concern that the school year would be extended for the nearly 50 schools closed because of the H1N1/swine flu virus, but the school year is ending as planned.

At I.S. 238 in Queens, it was a bittersweet last day of school. Assistant Principal Mitchell Weiner died last month from the virus.

Staff called Weiner the heart and soul of the school, and said they were ready to take a break.

"I'm very, very happy it's ending, because it was very very painful to lose such a loved person like Mr. Weiner," said one I.S. 238 employee.

"It was a very difficult year," said another. "He was very valued and very loved and I guess a lot of us need a little time to heal."

"It's sad the way we're ending the last day of school without Mitch Weiner," said a third. "You know, we have to go on, but it's not going to be the same without him."

While students said they were happy that the school was coming to a close, many said they were also sad that Mr. Weiner couldn't be here to share it with them.

"You know, if Mr. Weiner was here he would play a whole bunch of Michael Jackson songs," said a student. "Yes, he would do a tribute to Michael Jackson."

"It's sad, because we all miss him," said another.