Principal ‘Slimed’ By Students For School Fundraiser In Fairfield

SOUTHPORT, CT — (Contributed article): There was no shortage of school spirit at Mill Hill Elementary School in Southport last week, where students cheered as buckets of red and blue slime flowed down the head of their principal, Kevin Chase. At Mill Hill’s first-ever Dance-A-Thon fundraiser, beaming students danced the sunny afternoon away in a color-coordinated rainbow ensemble. The party culminated with two students dumping a full bucket of slime over Chase, who sat on a chair in the middle of the school bus loop wearing swim goggles and shorts.

Mill Hill’s Dance-A-Thon, which raised approximately $20,000 for the school’s PTA, represented a partnership between parents, teachers and students in a school with a lot of heart, according to PTA Co-President Stefanie Greenberg.

From kindergarten in red, to fifth grade in purple, the students formed a “Rainbow of Kindness,” according to parent organizer Danielle Bartlett. In front of an applauding audience of 40 parent volunteers and the school staff, Physical Education teacher Matt Cino and Music teacher Amie Arcari led the entire school in a choreographed mash-up of dances students had been diligently practicing for several weeks.

“We wanted to create something new for this year’s major fundraiser that the kids could get really excited about: an afternoon that felt like a party,” Greenberg said.

Chase agreed to be “slimed” when parents approached him with a special incentive to bring in donations for this inaugural, lively fundraiser.

“Mill Hill is such a great school, with a wonderfully supportive community and such amazing children,” he said. “If a little slime is all it takes to encourage more donations then I’m game. I love this school and these children, so I do pretty much anything for them.”

Beyond school spirit, the Dance-a-Thon motivated “Kidpreneurs” to find ways to give back, according PTA Co-President Michelle DeMartino.

“Our top earning student is a first grader who went door-to-door selling dog biscuits that she made with her mom and Mill Hill neighborhood friends. She made 75 bags,” DeMartino said.

Prior to the “Sliming,” the PTA distributed more than 40 prizes donated by local businesses. The student raising the most funds in each grade won a “Kitchen Sink” gift certificate from Saugatuck Sweets. Additionally, raffle winners received gift certificates contributed by Flash Pointe Dance, HobbyTown, Toscano Pizzeria, Hands On Pottery, Happy Hands Pottery, GCA of Connecticut, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. D.J. Luis Ortiz kept the party alive with dance “motivators” circulating the crowd.

On Wednesday, May 22, the town’s Board of Selectmen is expected to approve the Mill Hill Building Committee’s recommendation for a major renovation and addition at Mill Hill. While the scope and size of the renovation is up for debate, the Dance-a-thon revealed a special community that is grateful for pending improvements to its cherished school. Improving street traffic flow, updating HVAC system, cafeteria, and bathrooms, as well as providing dedicated spaces for overcrowded services, will bring the physical space in line with the soaring hearts of the students, teachers and administrators within.