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Libertyville students enjoy Olympic twist to annual Field Days
Adler students on the Canadian team (in red) and the Greek team (in blue, play Ga-Ga, an Israeli version of dodgeball. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: July 8, 2012 8:09AM
Featuring an Olympic theme, students from Adler Park School and other Libertyville District 70 schools participated in Field Days games and activities marking the end of the school year June 1.
Said Adler Park Principal Jon Bogge, “It’s just to recognize the hard work they’ve done during the year and have a day of fun activity. It also teaches them sportsmanship and social skills.”
At the beginning of the ceremonies, physical education teacher Gerry Carollo carried a paper torch and then talked to the students about the Olympic traditions and the different colors representing the flags of different countries.
Students then participated in a number of Olympic-themed physical activities such as relay races, a short dash run and shot put. There were also other fun games such as a water balloon toss, tug of war and Ga-Ga, a variation of dodgeball wear kids kick a soft ball in an octagonal ring.
Parent volunteers assist school staff in monitoring the different outdoor games and activities throughout the day.
“The kids look forward to it ever year,” said Cori Bjorklund, a parent volunteer with two children in Adler School. “They like the competition, but it’s really more of a celebration. It really truly is just a day to have fun.”
Clarisse Austin, 11, a 5th grader at Adler, said she liked being outside and playing the different games such as the races and Ga-Ga ball.
“My favorite part is the tug of war and just being outside and having fun with my friends,” said fifth-grader Abby Cima, 10.
‘Really cool’
Cima said she also liked the Olympic-themed events this year and the ceremonial carrying of the torch at the beginning. “It was really cool,” she said.
Matthew Neuberger, 11, said he likes the different athletic activities and games they do on Field Days.
“It’s fun because the school year is winding down,” he said. “It’s the last full day of school so we get to have fun.”
Robin Kollman, public relations facilitator for Libertyville District 70, said Field Days has been a tradition in the district for more than 20 years and each of the district’s five school does some variation of it during the last two weeks of the school year. Rockland, Butterfield, Copeland Manor and Highland schools all had different activities planned.
“It’s meant to be fun competition, blowing off steam and celebrating the end of the school year,” she said.
