Families attend D59 Education Foundation's Back-to-School Celebration
On Saturday, Aug. 26, the D59 Education Foundation once again generously sponsored the Back to School Celebration, an annual tradition and kickoff event to the new school year. Students and their families, staff members and the community came together at Holmes Junior High School to celebrate the new beginning to the 2017-18 school year.
Lunch was provided through the generous donation by Organic Life, District 59's food supplier, who served hot dogs, baked chips, fresh fruit and bottled water and provided cheerful staff to serve the crowd.
Community partners, including local park districts and libraries, school PTOs, the Boy Scouts of America, Got 2 Run, and many others, were well represented at the event. Community partners enjoyed the day with students and families, participating in games and crafts and passing out giveaways, prizes and resource information.
Activities included an inflatable obstacle course, a dunk tank, the Elk Grove Village Buffalo Wild Wings mascot, and many others. Games were on-site for students to play, both old favorites and new additions, such as the Elephant Rings Toss and Giraffe Hi Striker. Live music was also provided by DJ Alessandro Fantoni, who himself is a Holmes alum.
As in years past, the entertainment shows were one of the main highlights of the celebration. Mount Prospect Park District's dance team performed a number of high-energy routines.
National Karate Schools from Elk Grove Village offered a skills demonstration and involved the audience in activities.
New to the lineup this year, and definitely one of the crowd favorites, was Illinois native "Rock 'N' Rope Warrior" David Fisher, master of jump rope tricks and stunts, who incorporated speed and record-breaking jumps into his act. Fisher has often performed on TV, including America's Got Talent, and holds jump-rope records with both Ripley's Believe It or Not! and the Guinness Book of World Records. Some of his jump-rope repertoire has included jumping rope while sitting and lying on the floor, dribbling a ball with his feet while jumping rope, and even jumping rope while encased in a human-sized balloon.
Throughout his entertaining presentation, he encouraged the students to stay in shape by means of fun and creative physical fitness, or, as he called it, "thinking outside the loop." His interaction with the crowd was definitely one of the highlights of the event.
The back to school event continues to be a much-anticipated celebration which starts the new school year off on the right foot - in partnership, friendship and with a strong sense of community.
Marlene Pasdo, D59 Education Foundation board member and chairwoman of this event, said she loves participating in this event every year.
"My favorite part of being involved with this celebration is seeing how much our students and families are enjoying the day and reconnecting with friends," Pasdo said, "all while still learning important and helpful information about what's available in our community."
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