Character Bookmarks, an Obstacle Course and a Little PR

A group of children gathered around a table at the Monroe Farmers Market Friday and used index cards, colorful markers, ink and their thumbs to create bookmarks. Other youngsters took part in an obstacle course taking them through their morning preparation for school.

It was the first in a series of events organized by the Board of Education's Communications and Outreach Sub-Committee.

"We're just trying to come out to the community and get kids excited about going back to school and answering any questions parents or anyone in the community may have," said Alan Vaglivelo, a board and committee member.

Vaglivelo credits Kelly Plunkett as being the Board of Education member who got the ball rolling on the community outreach effort.

"Back in May, Lee Crouch and I presented a community outreach plan to build relations in our community," Plunkett said of she and a fellow school board member. "When you build a relationship with somebody and you hear a rumor, you feel more comfortable calling someone and asking about it. You can get clarification on things."

Plunkett said rumors, particularly about how taxpayers' money is being spent, is responsible for "negativity" throughout the year.

Joining the three school board members at the Monroe Farmers Market was Monroe Elementary School Principal Deb Kovachi, Chalk Hill School cafeteria monitor Jen Aguilar, Fawn Hollow School paraprofessional Kim D'Eramo and Masuk High School teachers Dana Firmender and Marie Blake.

Supt. of Schools Colleen Palmer was expected to show up later in the afternoon.

Morning Obstacle Course

Plunkett gave a reporter a tour of the Morning Obstacle Course before groups of eager children arrived. A circle of stations was set up on the grass in one area of the Monroe Town Green. Clipboards outlined what to do along the course.

"You come here and you get dressed," said Plunkett, standing beside a pile of T-shirts.

 In the next station children packed their lunch. "They pack a sandwich and a drink and put it in their lunchbox," Plunkett explained.

Stations three and four were combined. Participants had to take a field trip permission slip and find a lost library book, which was any book with a green cover.

"If you fill out your permission slip, you get to go on a cool trip. If not you have to make lunch for all the kids," Plunkett read the instructions with a chuckle.

In the fifth station the lunchbox, permission slip, lost book, three stuffed animals, a hat and a pair of gloves must be packed into a book bag. The last destination is the bus stop.

All materials for the obstacle course were made up from odds and ends Plunkett gathered from around her home.

More than 70 children participated in the Board of Education's events and all parents interviewed seemed to enjoy it.

"It's very nice, it's great," said a mother-of-two, who is moving to Monroe.

Stephanie Sullivan of Monroe helped her children Peyton, 9, Alexis, 6, and Samantha, 4, to navigate the obstacle course.

"It's great to get them excited for school again because it's coming up," she said. "And it's great to see Mrs. Kovachi here. The older ones go to Monroe Elementary where she is principal."