43
West fourth-graders survive Sleepover 2011
Photo
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .During the annual West Sleepover, Rithika Vangal (left) and Karlyn Covan headed to the art room to start decorating their Buzz Lightyear pictures. By the next morning, photos of their heads were placed in the helmet, making them look like space explorers.
Photo
A group of fourth-grade girls were proud of their brightly colored and creatively named aliens that they created as a project during their sleepover. The artists were, from left, Kayla Grant (standing), Ashley Saxton, Abby Beil, Madison Connelly, Alicia Saxton, Jenna Caposell (kneeling), and Angelina Holzscuh.
Photo
The fourth-graders at West enjoyed a wealth of physical activity during their sleepover. A few students tried some yoga moves, although some held their balance better than others.
Photo
Late-evening fun came in the form of a boys versus girls game of catch, where each team had to catch as many tennis balls as they possibly could in large baskets.
By SARAH FOOR
Before the fourth-graders at West Boulevard Elementary head to Glenwood or Center Middle schools, they are invited to survive a trial offered to West’s graduating class — the school sleep over.
The night away from home has been hosted by principal Al Cervello for the last six years, where he invites the kids to the school for a night of fun, games and great memories of West.
“It’s an all-night event because I really consider it a rite of passage. Some of these kids have never spent a night outside of their home, so we’re offering a new experience for them. They’ll be tackling a lot tougher things in middle school, so it’s a way to enjoy these last days at West while they last,” Cervello explained.
The sleep over began at 8 p.m., when fourth-graders were dropped off with sleeping bags in hand. Cervello was responsible for the kids for the next 12 hours, so he and a group of teacher volunteers split up the 80 fourth-graders between activities around the school.
Kickball and catch were offered in the fields outside. In the school gym, the kids ran relay races and tried out some yoga moves. In the all-purpose room, the smaller teams learned dance moves to “We Will Rock You” and prepared a boys vs. girls dance-off for later in the night. The art room offered students a chance to create crafts and sign the banner that said, “I survived sleepover 2011!”
The boys always head to bed in the all-purpose room and the girls in the library. In his six years, Cervello said the latest any student has lasted during the sleepover was 2 a.m.
The principal, however, doesn’t get much sleeping done during the overnight stay.
“I stay up all night, usually with a very large cup of coffee and my laptop’s cameras synced up to the school. I’ll be tired tomorrow, but it’s a small price to pay so the fourth-graders have a great night,” he said.