Getting a child to keep a secret can be tough when they are excited for something. But what is the answer to getting more than 425 kids to keep the same secret for three weeks? Apparently, it is love and admiration.

The entire student body of Rose Hill Elementary surprised Janice Yuly during a holiday assembly with a retirement celebration on her last day Friday. All the kids sang “Seasons of Love” for the 36-year instructional assistant as she sat in a red rocking-chair enjoying the moment.

“This was a testament to how much our kids wanted to surprise her,” said Rose Hill Principal Karin Janik. “It meant that much to them.”

The idea for the song came from music teacher Sue Hanson: “We did it for our former principal and some of the kids already knew it, which made it a little bit easier. But they had lots to do and worked really hard on it. I was so proud of them.”

The kids rang bells while they sang the song and used hand gestures to go along with the lyrics, including making a heart during the chorus.

The gesture and retirement moved some in the audience to tears as they said goodbye.

“This is very bitter-sweet because they have become my family,” said Yuly. “I love these kids.”

All the students signed a crossing-guard vest for the longtime crossing-guard leader. A position that was very important to Yuly.

“The safety of the kids was always paramount,” she said. “I had to have eyes in the back, side and front of my head all the time because I never wanted to have to call 911.”

The crossing guards also surprised Yuly with 36 roses, one for every year, and a crossing-guard flag to take home.

“I love every one of you,” she told all the kids after the song. “I’ll be back.”

Ironically, Yuly said she doesn’t normally attend assemblies as “she has too much to do.” But the assistant decided to attend this last one.

Yuly began volunteering at the school when her son was in first grade. She had told the principal that if a position came open she would love to work at the school. A few years later in 1974 her request became a reality when she began with one hour a day. That one hour eventually became full-time work.

“She is absolutely the heart of the school,” said Janik. “Her love and dedication for the children is evident in the former students when they send their kids here. Everyone knows Mrs. Yuly.”

In the past 36 years, Yuly has gained a reputation through generations of families going through the Kirkland school.

“Almost every place I go in Kirkland someone asks if I work at Rose Hill,” said Yuly.

But the celebration marked the end of an era at the school.

“I didn’t have any idea this was happening,” said Yuly. “It is really amazing.”