ATTLEBORO -- As Hill-Roberts Elementary School Principal Bonnie Bristow concluded her morning announcements Tuesday, she invited everyone to `` have a wonderful learning day,'' as she does every day.

This day, however, was a little different.

As Bristow uttered her familiar sign-off, family, faculty, local dignitaries and all her students began gathering in the school's library -- unbeknownst to her.

When Bristow finally entered the room, students, who had filled the library and lined all three hallways surrounding it, erupted into cheers.

The hoopla was for the dedication of the school's library in honor of Bristow, who will retire this year after 37 years in the Attleboro school system. Dignitaries on hand included Mayor Kevin Dumas and state Reps. John Lepper and Betty Poirier.

`` We work in the Statehouse, which also has a lot of people, but never have we been surrounded by this kind of love,'' said Poirier, R-North Attleboro.

The dedication was a surprise for Bristow, who has been principal at Hill-Roberts since 1993. Teachers and students had kept the ceremony a secret for six weeks, a difficult challenge for some of the school's youngest members.

`` It was kind of hard,'' said Raymond Blais, a second-grader at the school. `` Mrs. Bristow always walked around checking on things.''

Lepper, R-Attleboro, and Poirier presented a proclamation to Bristow, noting that a copy of the resolution would forever reside in Massachusetts archives.

`` One hundred years from now, people will know Bonnie Bristow touched the lives of children,'' Poirier said.

Dumas thanked Bristow for her many years of dedication to Attleboro schools.

`` Her shoes will be very hard to fill,'' he said.

Both Lepper and Attleboro Superintendent Joel Lovering remarked upon Bristow's tireless efforts putting children first.

Following the speeches, the border of the library's ceiling was unveiled. The words `` Roberta B. Bristow Library,'' were revealed, followed by the phrase `` Have a wonderful learning day!'' which the students repeated in unison.

During the ceremony, Bristow was given a picture of the school and staff outside of the school's new playground.

The Hill-Roberts PTO presented her with a blank bookshelf that students eagerly filled with the books they had been clutching throughout the ceremony, all of them individually signed.

After receiving all 184 books, Bristow stood at the podium to thank the audience, and remarked upon the flurry of activity surrounding the event.

`` In the last couple weeks, I've learned that if I'm told to mind my own business, I do,'' she joked.

The dedication of the library was particularly special for Bristow, who always worked to ensure that it received enough funding. She said reading to be an integral part of learning, and is the foundation for everything in a child's future.

`` I thank you for this wonderful, wonderful day,'' she said, promising that the library will continue to receive books from her throughout her retirement.

As the ceremony concluded, school librarian Julie Cotsalas repeated the words now immortalized in the newly-dedicated library.

`` Have a wonderful learning day!''