The Clarkstown Central School District is saying farewell to a principal who is retiring after more than five decades in the district.

Laurel Plains Elementary School held a celebration Friday for Carol Pilla, a longtime educator at the school. The farewell included performances and proclamations.

Pilla was a teacher for the first half of her 56 years at the district before moving on to become principal.

"It's overwhelming. The children did a little baseball thing outside, and it's wonderful -- I'm very lucky. I love what I do. I could stay forever, but there's time for everything under the sun," Pilla said.

The town of Clarkstown declared June 18 as Carol Pilla Day.