C.H. Campbell hosts winter festival

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Middle school helpers Francine Hazy (left) and Gillian Jennings went to the festival with CHC student Brook Demidovich (center).

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Leanne Rich and her son Wesley enjoyed the CHC winter festival together.

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Nicholas Hewko (left) Alexander Hewko and AJ Hewko enjoyed a pizza dinner in the cafeteria during the C.H. Campbell winter festival.

STAFF REPORT

Elementary school students and parents found a way to chase away the winter blues on the evening of March 5 when C.H. Campbell hosted its annual winter carnival.

More than 700 students and parents attended the event to take a chance at 10 baskets, featuring hundreds of dollars in gift cards, themed items such as art supplies, boys and girls toys. Additional raffles overflowed tables with gift certificates, jewelry and bicycles donated by area businesses.

“This really was a team effort by all of the parents who donated items toward the themed baskets to area businesses who supplied gift cards and other items to the PTO,” said Christy Durham, PTO chairperson.

The “Slide into Spring” theme was complete with “Playground Passes” that kids received so they could play games in the gym and hallways. Once they finished everything, they could turn in their pass and receive a prize.

The gym also had a bouncy castle and inflatable slide, two places to burn off energy after a pizza dinner in the cafeteria.

“I liked the Bounce-Around slide the best,” said kindergartner Sam Wogan.

He decided that he enjoyed almost everything about the festival.

“I liked the cupcakes and the pizza and the tattoos and the dance. I’ll go again next year.”

Wogan’s mom, Lisa, also enjoyed the time.

“It was a great family night and for a great cause,” she said.

Overall, through admissions, basket and raffle sales the event raised more than $5,000. These funds will be set aside for the purchase of new playground equipment. The district is currently obtaining bids from multiple sources to replace the playground equipment system, ground coverings and bring the area up to current standards of accessibility.

The current playground has been in place for about twenty years and is showing its wear from many hours of recess and fun.

“We recently had to remove a slide from the playground due to safety concerns. The constant wear and tear had caused the slide to break apart, causing sharp edges that could hurt students,” said Travis Lavery, C.H. Campbell principal.

“In the current budget cycle, it is not feasible to purchase equipment that meets today’s standards for access. We are grateful for the help of the PTO to make this major improvement.”