Shawnee Elementary Celebrates end of School Year

The sky was blue and bright Thursday afternoon.

The smiles of the children at were even brighter.

The school held its third annual Shawnee Shark Day, a field day of outdoor events featuring a booth for students to dunk a teacher, inflatable balloon rides and slides, basketball, snacks and even Rita's Italian Ice.

"It's something the kids look forward to all year long," Shawnee PTA President Jodi Matese said. "It's held every spring, right before the school year ends. All the children come outside to celebrate the end of the school year."

As Matese spoke, children traded in tickets for popcorn and pretzels, participated in three-legged races, relays and a tug-of-war and helped 4th grade teacher Givon Ellison take a dive in the dunk tank several times.

The event was canceled Wednesday because of touchy weather, but Thursday couldn't have been a better forecast.

"It's a perfect day," said Tom Jackson, a Forks Township parent who was volunteering. "There are hundreds of kids smiling. Organizers did something good here."

Organizers said they expected about 50 parent volunteers each for the morning and afternoon sessions. Instead they got 80 per shift.

"I like it. It's great, the highlight of the year," said Kelli Citron, a parent who worked the inflatables ride.

Karen Hoodley had the difficult assignment of putting Shawnee Shark Day together. She was the PTA's committee chairman of the event.

"I inherited this," she said. "And I didn't change a thing. The kids enjoy it so we keep it nice and simple. It's a masterpiece just the way it is."