Schools

PTO Readies for the Annual Spring Fling

The Tolland elementary PTO has revamped the yearly springtime children's celebration with more and new crafts, games, activities and fun.

Each year for as long as many can remember, the parent teacher organization dedicated to the elementary schools has sponsored a springtime festival meant to celebrate students and provide some good old fashion fun.

This year, the organization has revamped the old tried and true model, and members promise the pint-sized critics and their parents will not be disappointed.

"We decided to liven it up this year," outgoing co-president Christine Glyman said Thursday morning.

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By liven it up, Glyman meant, in part, moving the festival to the Tolland Intermediate School grounds and giving the event a new name: .

Oh, and by getting the principals of Birch Grove Primary and TIS into a dunk tank so that their students can take aim at a bulls eye and send them splashing into the water. It was a student request.

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Over the past year the PTO sought input from the fourth and fifth graders at Tolland Intermediate as to what they would like to see included in this year's celebration.

Some of their wishes came true - case in point the dunk tank. Other new items include various new crafts and games, an adult and child “Cake Master” baking competition, and a cookie walk. This year there will also be a visit from the Tolland Fire Department and the Boys Scouts with their Pinewood Derby Track.

Of course, the old favorites remain: the bounce house, the book nook, face painting and the ever-popular basket raffles, but even that has changed slightly.

The "baskets" - some involve rubber tubs and coolers - made by the classroom teachers (there are about 50) will remain a highlight of the event. Added to it will be the raffle and competition for the best cake in each category and age group. Tickets for these are just $1.

If you're more of a risk taker, and really want to get good seats to a UConn football game this season you can spend $10 for a ticket and a chance to win four club seat tickets and a VIP parking pass to a game at Rentschler Field.

Tickets at a much lower rate (25 - 50 cents) are also available for children to take part in the crafts, games and other activities.

When it comes to food, the PTO has that covered, too. Traditional cookout fare - hamburgers, hot dogs, chips - will be available for a fee, in addition to popcorn, fried dough and cotton candy. The group has also opened a penny candy store for children to shop.

Although the primary purpose of the day is to provide a fun venue for the students, the PTO does use it to help fundraise for its other initiatives, including helping to cover costs not included in annual education budget, from field trips to assemblies to school library books.

To make it so the PTO can raise money, but not make it cost prohibitive for families to attend, the organization relies on community and business donations.

Thus far those venues have come through in droves, from donating the dough for the fried dough to the cookie prizes in the cookie walk, to the tables and chairs and tent needed for the event, Glyman said. 

"I encourage people, if they’re around, to stop by for a half hour, an hour just come an have fun. I enjoy seeing the kids with their friends, and the kids enjoy seeing their classmates and former classmates," Glyman said.

The Spring Fling will run from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Tolland Intermediate School on Old Post Road. Admission is free, but tickets are required to partake in many of the activities and to purchase food and raffle tickets. For more information look on the Tolland Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization’s Web site.


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