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POUND RIDGE, N.Y. Music blared, hot dogs sizzled and kids squealed, ran and danced. Another Pound Ridge Elementary School Field Day was underway.
The Field Day is a PRES tradition and provides the students with a chance to get out of the classroom, get some exercise and mingle with other students they normally would not get a chance to otherwise meet.
This years event was held under warm, sunny skies on Friday.
We do it every year, said Colette Dow, co-president of the PRES PTA, as she served up burgers and hot dogs to hungry students. The PTA does the food, with help from Billy Fortin, who owns Scotts Corner Market. Hes very generous. Its really a school event, but the PTA coordinates with the phys ed teachers Jean Mazzili and Matt Foley.
The day includes a feast of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and watermelon, along with an array of quirky relay races conceived by Mazzili and Foley.
It involves physical exercise and team work, Dow said. The students are divided into four teams for 10 events. Theres lots of running involved.
It was the first Pound Ridge Elementary Field Day for Principal Tim Gembke, who didnt join the staff until last summer. However, it was not the first field day-type event for the veteran educator.
I could do [a field day] in my sleep, Gembke laughed. But this is a good opportunity for the community, staff, parents and kids to get together. Wed like to do more of these. The kids love it. The PTA has been so supportive and wed had many parents come out and be volunteers. There is no negativity on Field Day.
It was the second PRES Field Day for physical education teacher Foley.
Its a lot of fun, he said. Its something that both the kids and staff look forward to.
Jackson Lawrence, 7, a second grader, said he almost forgot Field Day was Friday, but was thrilled when he found out.
I like the cheering, he said. I like cheering the people on during the races.
Sophie McKinnon, 8, also in second grade, said the races were also her favorite part of the day.
I like doing the sports, running, and having fun with my teammates, she said.
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