Students and teachers at Salt Point Center (SPC) came together June 11 for Field Day where they tossed rings, raced in potato sacks and played a version of tic tac toe, involving dropping dolls in buckets of water.
Coach Scott Calcagni kept time to assure everyone had a chance to try all the activities, which were manned by students in the Career and Technical Institute’s Early Childhood Education program.
“Field Day is not what it is without all you kiddos,” Calcagni told the students. “It's honestly amazing to see Field Day come from what it was to what it is now.”
This year marked the first time DJ Jeff Celestino, Calcagni’s former student from Spackenkill, provided music and a barbecue was offered during the event, as opposed to being on a separate date. Students were offered a chance to tie dye shirts, thanks to Calcagni with assistance from Principal Melissa Murphy.
“The kids really look forward to dying their shirts,” Calcagni said. “It comes out great each year.”
The theme of community and working together was felt throughout the day. Receptionist Lisa Chanowsky secured donations from Stewart’s and Adams Fairacre Farms for ice cream and watermelon, respectively, assistant cook Heather Palmieri organized and ordered the food, teacher David Felipe worked the grill and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jodi DeLucia plated and served food.
“Everyone comes together to make this day special for SPC students and staff,” Murphy said. “It’s really an amazing day.”
Calcagni most enjoys seeing the students’ smiling faces during the activities.
“This Field Day has been my best one yet and I plan to try and top it next year,” he said.
Second grader Lucas Davies had fun squirting water from a water gun into a cup and opening up a giant parachute with his classmates.
I liked the parachute,” Davies said. “That was the first one I did.”
Early Childhood Education junior Alivia Ogden has a family member with special needs so working with SPC kids at the giant parachute station was right up her alley.
“They were really fun, especially with the parachute going under and they would try to run,” Ogden said of SPC students. “When you’re out here, you’re just having fun.”