MATTAPOISETT — After more than 35 years in the Mattapoisett school system, you would think that nothing could surprise retiring principal Rose Bowman.

The Mattapoisett community made a plan to do so anyway.

Mattapoisett staff and community members organized a special send-off for retiring principal Rose Bowman. A police escort wound through the town as students and community members waved, cheered, and held up homemade signs to wish her well in her retirement.

“So lucky she doesn’t have social media,” read a comment on a post in the Mattapoisett Life Facebook group that instructed group members to “save the date” for the surprise.

“We will definitely show our love and gratitude,” said another.

Bowman’s son drove her to the Knights of Columbus on Thursday, June 23, where police and fire trucks awaited her to reveal the surprise. She rode in style with Superintendent Mike Nelson at the wheel in a tan-colored Mercedes-Benz convertible.

Nelson has described Bowman as a “staple in the school community” and says “she will be missed.”

This was made apparent by the students and community members that showed up in droves to wave her goodbye on one of her last days as principal.

They traveled down Route 6 to Old Hammondtown School, the Center School, and completed their ride at the Ned’s Point loop.

After Bowman was driven away down the street, elementary schoolers at the Center School continued to enthusiastically shout and cheer her name, giving her a spirited sendoff.