By C. Black parent-at-large

Whoo-ee! Talk about finishing the school year with a flourish at South Park Family School! What with racing folks, musical notes, artists strokes (of genius of course) and many other activities that had us “stoked,” South Park families and staff have been keeping themselves very busy over the past month or two. In somewhat chronological order, here are some of the activities seen and heard in or otherwise to do with South Park Family School.

Among other events going on in and around the school, literary awareness, lung-health and a lovely night out are what stand out for me in May. At the beginning of the month, Poem-in-your-Pocket Day was featured (wherein all people in attendance at South Park School were encouraged to keep a verse handy to recite) as well as a Fancy Dress Parade featuring students and staff dressed up as their favourite Story Book character. Later on, over 80% of our intermediate students and a fine showing of grade three children participated in the running events at the Zone A Track Meet. While an impressive number of these girls and boys qualified and were very successful in the City Final races, I was most impressed by the commitment of the staff in coaching the pupils and running the meets and the enthusiasm and commitment of all the South Park participants. Judging by the amount of rope turning and air time, Jump Rope for heart not only provided some additional great exercise for our children but raised some funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation as well. And speaking of fund raising …congratulations to all involved in the South Park Gala Auction. Monies raised more than met our fund raising goal. The gourmet food was fantastic, the items on offer fabulous and the friendly bidding wars full of fun!

Busy, happy times continued in June. At the time of this article’s deadline, both arts and entertainment have been featured in this, the last month of the calendar year. In the beginning, our violin, cello and viola players performed very impressively at the District Strings Concert. Also early-on was our Festival of Families or FOF Press Conference. As the events on offer (tasty food, fun face painting, some dunk tank action, Queen Victoria playing baseball and so much more) at the FOF launch are only a taste of what is to come at the main Festival of Families event on Saturday September 20th, I suggest booking your tickets early. Check out the Festival of Families website, www.festivaloffamilies.com or view us on U-Tube (southparkvic) for all the delightful details. The Art Show set up in the gym and featuring several pieces of 2 and 3 dimensional art from every child in the school provided much amazing eye candy. Parents, grandparents and other friends and family members seemed to thoroughly enjoy perusing the display, being otherwise entertained and dining on some delicious treats in celebration of Parent Appreciation Day which was graciously hosted by the staff at South Park.

Well, that’s all for now folks. As my youngest child “graduates” from South Park this year, it is with mixed feelings that I finish this article: happiness at having the amazing experiences I’ve had here and sadness that they are rapidly coming to an end. Dear readers, I hope my articles have inspired you to attend South Park either as a guest at one of the community events open to the public at our school to enrol your child here. Either way you are sure to enjoy your South Park School experience! Happy Summer everyone!