School's spring carnival scores A-plus for fun
Beth Newton knew she had it coming.
The Thomson Elementary School assistant principal knowingly volunteered to take part in the Toss a Sponge at a Teacher game at the school's PTO Spring Carnival on Saturday morning.
Not a good idea.
For only a few tickets, pupils were allowed to hurl wet sponges at Newton and several teachers as they stuck their heads through a life-sized cutout of a clown.
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Hundreds of pupils, parents, and faculty members attended the event, and Principal Dr. Donald Davis was very pleased with the turnout.
Jasmine Shorty throws a sponge at assistant principal Beth Newton during Thomson Elementary School's spring
carnival Saturday.
Photo by Elwood Hamilton
"We were kind of watching the weather all week long, but it still turned out really good," he said. "We've very pleased with it all. Although it's done as a fund-raiser, we started the process with the feeling also that it was a wonderful opportunity for families within the community to just come together and have a good time. If we can make some funds off of it to help with the school causes, that's a plus."
Many different activities including face-painting, a moonwalk, tug of war, and pony rides entertained pupils and parents throughout the day. Perhaps the biggest hit of the carnival was the Jail and Bail. Anyone could pay 50 cents to have someone put in a small fenced-in square as a sign of their "arrest." The jailed then needed to collect $1 from people to be freed. Teachers, pupils and even parents were fair game to be arrested.
"It's awfulIt's terrifying," said parent Darlene Jackson jokingly from inside the mock jail. "I'm going to be here all day!"
People who avoided being jailed were able to concentrate on more important matters.
"My favorite thing was throwing the sponge at the teachers," said kindergarten pupil Albria Jackson. "I'm going to get Dr. Davis next."