KENT – Smiles and laughter filled the athletic fields of Kent Center School Wednesday, June 5 for a morning of healthy competition during the annual Field Day.
Children had the opportunity to try their skills at seven different activities out of the 15 offered both outside and three were inside. They rotated after 20 minutes at the Olympic themed stations.
“This is a half day of fun,” said Carol Spelbos, who was this year’s Field Day coordinator. She said the event comes together through the work of many teachers working together.
The eighth graders selected the theme of the Olympics in homage to the upcoming Summer Olympics that will be held in Paris beginning July 26. They also created the t-shirt color and design, working with Kathryn Scribner. “For the last few years, we had the eighth grade involved,” said Spelbos.
Parents ringed the fields watching the activities. Since Covid the school hasn’t needed parent volunteers and the staff and faculty operate the stations.
The event is “an opportunity for the school to come together,” explained Spelbos, noting that the grades are mixed so there is interaction between students who might not have had a chance to work together in the same way.
Each station represented a country and an athletic activity, including: Germany: balance tag; Canada: lacrosse; Kenya: steeplechase; Netherlands: Equestrian; South Africa: parachute; Chile: synchronized swimming; Philippines: limbo; Jamaica: sponge relay; Japan: volleyball battleship; Sweden: field games; USA: basketball; Great Britain: bubbles; China: ping pong; France: medal making; and in the library there was Olympic bingo.
Meghan Robb welcomed parents and visitors under a tent next to the parking lot and remarked the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.
“There have been years when the sun has been so hot. Today the breeze is great,” Robb said.
