I love the word “spring”. It’s boisterous, hopeful, refreshing, and active. And because of the District 91 Betsy-Field South PTO, spring is kindness. On Friday March 29, parents, teachers, principals, students and volunteers gathered to dance their way into warmer weather and creative kindness during the annual Spring Fling fundraiser.
Rocking to the beat of DJ Ryan Russ, the young bodies and those young at heart could shake off the winter blues. In between the floss, the Macarena and the electric slide they could visit five rooms to explore themes of kindness in our community; painting rocks, friendship necklaces, cookie walks, scavenger hunt, and planting seeds.
The PTO had almost as much fun planning and prepping as the kids did partying. But we couldn’t have done it without the helpful hands of our many kind volunteers. Susan and Claudia from the Forest Park Library got their hands dirty with our kids to show them how to kindly nurture seeds donated by the community garden. Jon Kubricht from Da Beads demonstrated patience in helping little fingers thread hundreds of donated beads and charms together. Before the festivities could even begin, cookies were bagged, rocks were painted, food was purchased, and kindness was hidden at Field Stevenson Elementary.
At the end of the night Mr. Milnamow announced the kindness and generosity of all the donors in our community who care about the joy and prosperity of our youth. Books, pool passes, games, and so much more found new loving homes and funds from raffle ticket sales were raised to continue the activities of the generous and enthusiastic PTO.
What do we have planned with the funds raised for the PTO? I’m so glad you asked! We have already booked a mobile planetarium for the 2020 STEAM night; gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10); holiday classroom parties; and back-to-school bounce houses. Thank you to everyone who showed and shared kindness to our students and school community. I’m so proud of our District 91!
Kristin Pekoll
Forest Park resident
