Fundraiser leaves students jumpy

By Jon Moffett

The students played in inflatable playgrounds as a reward.

CANFIELD — Students at C.H. Campbell Elementary School were jumping for joy Friday.

Literally.

The school rented three inflatable play areas to show students appreciation for a recent fundraiser.

Principal Kent Polen said the “bounce around” event was to thank the students for selling cookie dough to raise money for the Parent Teacher Organization. He explained that each year two goals are set for students.

“For each child that sells a certain level, they get to go to ‘bounce around.’ But we also have a school-wide goal, and if it is met, everybody gets to go,” he said.

Polen said the school surpassed its goal of 2,000 tubs, allowing all students the privilege. Each grade was allotted an hour in the inflatable environments, which included a slide, an obstacle course and a “bounce house.” The inflatables were rented from Inflatable Fun & More in Norton, Ohio.

“I like when you jump up because it’s fun when you come down,” said Alex Carano, 7 and a first-grader. He added that the obstacle course was his favorite.

Classmate Gina Cianciola, 6, also enjoyed the obstacle course because could race her friends.

But Callie Barwick, 7, boasted she was the best and could beat her classmates in a race, including the boys.

“I like to do races a lot because my older brother is athletic so he helps me out with everything,” she said.

Polen said the “bounce around” offered more than just a free pass from class.

“They’re getting physical exercise and they all get to participate,” he said.

The money raised from the cookie dough sales is used by the PTO to buy playground equipment, teaching supplies and update technology in the classrooms. Polen said the school is looking to upgrade the playground equipment and upgrade the sound systems in some of the classrooms.

The bouncy fun was not just reserved for the kids, however. Polen said after the students were finished with the inflatables, faculty and staff were invited to enjoy them as well.

jmoffett@vindy.com