Bittersweet Alohas at Franklin Elementary

Photos provided by John Armato

Teachers Nicole Ewing, left, and Bridget Baldwin, right help Franklin 4th Grader Grace River feel special.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by John Armato

They know how to make a person feel special at Franklin Elementary School.

Gabriella Pagan, left and Sylyn Savage.

The first-ever Franklin Elementary School 4th grade Special Person Luau was sponsored by the teachers
and the school's parent group, the Friends of Franklin.

The gym was decorated with a Tiki theme including grass decorations, Hawaiian Lea's, balloons fashioned in to Pineapples.

In keeping with the age group the drink of choice was Hawaiian Punch, and cupcakes with mini-umbrellas in them.  

Activities included dancing, a photo booth, and snacks.

Josephine Bechtel asked her grandfather,
Phillip Richard to join her.

The DJ led the night with group dances such as Whip and Nae Nae, Limbo Rock, Chicken Dance, A Conga Line (aka Felling Hot Hot Hot), Cha-Cha Slide.

The teachers dancing may have been the hit of the night, however some sore backs were reported after the Limbo Rock. 

Nicole Ewing showed her dancing talents as she led the conga line.

Sarai Brant and her mom, Erin Dicesare

The 4th graders were invited to bring a special adult in there life to celebrate with. Parents, cousins, and grandparents accepted and dressed the parts.

Principal Kevin Downes said, "At one point in the night I realized these students were just months away from promotion to the middle school -- a melancholy moment -- theses are some great kids."

Downes gave a special thanks to the Friends of Franklin and teachers Rhonda Shumaker, Mrs. Arms, Jane Marie Hospador, Ms. Bridget Baldwin, and Ewing for helping run the event.  

Benji's in DA HOUSE!

Franklin Elementary School Principal Kevin Downes looks the part, center, while playing Ben Franklin Jeopardy against teachers Matt Cohen, left, and Tina Lundy, right.

Blogger's Note: The following was shamelessly stolen from the Pottstown School District web site:

Recently, Benjamin Franklin celebrated his 308 th birthday and thanks to the students and staff at Pottstown’s Franklin Elementary School he is not in jeopardy of being forgotten.

Benjamin Franklin, aka Franklin Principal Kevin Downes, paid a visit to a full school assembly where he demonstrated his knowledge of history while competing in a game of jeopardy. His opponents for the day were Franklin teachers Matt Cohen and Tina Ludy.

As the master of ceremonies, Mike DiDonato gave each contestant a chance at the various categories. 

Ben Franklin won hands down because it seems that the answer for each of the categories was “Who is Ben Franklin?” As scorekeeper teacher Jen Swenk totaled up the number, and student expressed their enthusiasm for the contest and Dr. Franklin.

Downes said, “We were looking for a way to honor one of our country’s founding fathers and teach American history at the same time. Dressing in costume and using the jeopardy game format made American history come alive for our students and reminded them that learning can be fun.”

During the assembly, Ben Franklin gave the students many things to think about through his words of wisdom. 

 His parting words at the end of the day were to remind students to think of the future and he said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”