Mill Road Elementary School was buzzing with activity Tuesday morning long before the first ballot was cast in the district budget and board vote.
The school held its annual Wellness Day, featuring a slew of athletic and creative activities, before the students were dismissed on a half day.
The activities included chalk drawing in front of both of the building’s main entrances, a dance party on the stage behind the school, optional lap running, a nature trail, and obstacle course in the garden area, a STEAM activity in which students stacked blocks with rocks to make designs, and extra time on the playground equipment.
The Wellness Day is another opportunity for students to spend time with their Buddy Classes; classes in the younger grades are paired up with older classes at the beginning of the year for these group activity days. The older students gain experience guiding younger students through activities, and the younger students, of course, benefit from the mentorship.
The school took precautions to safely hold the activity day despite the high temperatures. As the activities were finished before 11:15 a.m., the students enjoyed the warmth without dealing with excessive heat. Students were also encouraged in advance to bring their water bottles to school. And some activities, such as the STEAM building and obstacle course, were moved into shady areas.