For the first time, but hopefully not the last, students at Salt Point Center enjoyed trying to catch and pop bubbles near the school’s playground, courtesy of the Bubble Bus. Physical education teacher Scott Calcagni wanted to bring the bus to SPC after seeing it as a teacher at Spackenkill Elementary School and noticed how much fun the children had. He first mentioned the idea to Principal Melissa Murphy last year.
“I wanted to incorporate the Bubble Bus as another incentive or PBIS activity for the kids to be able to enjoy,” Calcagni said. “I really thought of it not only for the kids, but especially with our population and students in the PEACCE program with autism and their sensory abilities it would be right up their alley.”
While the bus was fully booked last year, Calcagni and Murphy started in the fall to book the bus for a May 30 visit.
“All thanks go to Principal Murphy for allowing my ideas and helping me push these amazing events for the kids in recent years,” Calcagni said. “Each year I try to plan to do more and add a special event or better an existing event we already have.”
Murphy considered the Bubble Bus visit a great experience for everyone involved.
“The giant smiles on everyone's face as they ran into the field to pop the bubbles was a reminder that simple things and being together as a community brings each of us joy,” Murphy said. “Bubbles are really a universal way to spread happiness for the young and kids at heart.”
One of those smiling faces belonged to fifth grader Jaime Rivera who had a blast.
“It was really fun,” Rivera said. “The bus is really colorful.”
Seventh grader Evan Crispa enjoyed every aspect of the experience and would love to see the bus return.
“I loved everything about it except having to leave,” Crispa said.