Laurel Elementary School

Our Play Day really lasted about a week.  We had several events both during and after school that our school family and neighborhood family could enjoy.  Our whole school Hot Potato Game was photographed by the Laurel Leader and the The Gazette.  The students enjoyed a beautiful morning playing outside and then some students were able to do the obstacle course while others played in a punt, pass, kick competition.  We had several students planting a vegetable garden with seeds donated by Farmer Dave of Gorman Farms right here in Laurel.  Our Play Day at Night was a blast.  Over 200 people attended and played relays, four square, HORSE, hopscotch, bean bag toss, jumped in the moonbounce, took chances in our Cake Walk and ate popcorn, hotdogs and applesauce.  Our friends at Kona Ice also helped us with Icees and ice cream.  Thanks to the City of Laurel for providing the outdoor lights to make our relay races safe and last longer.  With face painting by the Girl Scouts and the bean bag toss by the Boy Scouts, parents manning the grill and neighbors manning the popcorn machine, teachers staffing the games we had plenty of volunteers. The rain came in about 7:30 which made everyone come inside, but we had plenty of fun and games inside until it was time to go home. A fun time was had by all!

With seeds donated from Gorman Farms in Laurel, our students planted a vegetable garden.

Mr. Harris and Mr. Koetzel competing in the obstacle course.  They tied and had to ride small bikes with training wheels to see who would win and break the tie.  Of course, they had their helmets on while the students cheered them on.  Mr. Harris finished first by a half a tire.

Our entire school went outside to play Hot Potato.  The kids and staff had a blast in the back yard at the school.

We need some plants!

We were able to receive a donation from Silver Diner for participating in the From Farm to School Week program with them and will use that money to purchase plants and mulch for our Beautification efforts during our Play Day.  Our Play Day coincides with Farm to School Week.  Does anyone have any familiarity with citronella as a plant or does it come from something else?  We are looking to reduce the mosquito population in our outdoor classroom a natural way.

We are looking forward to spreading the word that the City of Laurel was named a Playful City USA for 2010 at our Play Day on September 22.  School starts tomorrow and we will be letting the students and families know how they can help us with our recycle batteries event and our beautification efforts as well as have a great time.