Rumson School District PTO Presents Fun-Filled Family Fall Festival

The Rumson School District’s third annual Family Fall Festival featured plenty of excitement and a powerful display of Purple Pride.

Music and laughter filled the air on September 26 as purple-clad youngsters ran hurriedly about the school grounds, anxious to experience all of the fun cooked up by hardworking parent and student volunteers.

“This is just such a wonderful event,” said Rumson School District Superintendent Maryrose Caulfield-Sloan, surveying the large crowd enjoying the fundraiser for the district’s Parent Teacher Organization.

Deane Porter School Principal Shari Feeney agreed wholeheartedly.

“We have a solid Parent Teacher Organization, and they accomplish amazing things,” said Feeney.

The third annual Fall Festival featured bounce houses, carnival games with prizes, drills and games courtesy of CrossFit Triple Threat in Red bank, basketball fun with “Coach Cal” and “Coach Shempy”, and airbrush tattoos by “Party on with Natalie”. The large crowd enjoyed refreshments such as flavored ices and cotton candy, a variety of fare from Freshica’s in Fair Haven and Locals Foodery in Rumson, and hot dogs from the cart of Mrs. Reidy. Also featured were a candy and treat tent and a display of Bulldog-themed merchandise for sale.

The musical soundtrack accompanying the frenzy of activity was provided by DJ Tommy Lynch, whose appearance was sponsored by the Keith McHeffey Foundation.

Even the RFH Bulldog mascot got in on the action, busting some dance moves and receiving hugs from happy youngsters.

Rumson students Dylan Cahill, Molly Kelly, and Amanda Ridgeway provided a consensus opinion on the event.

“We love the games and the inflatable rides and the cotton candy,” they enthused. “But the best part is having all of this fun with our friends.”

The youngsters weren’t the only ones having a blast. The hardworking parent and student volunteers enjoyed being a part of the action as well as giving back to their school community.

“It’s just nice to be able to help out,” said Jenna Unger, an eighth grader at Forrestdale School as she expertly twirled pink cotton candy onto several white cones for a large group of young cheerleaders.

Lorna Robinson, a freshman at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, agreed as she helped to hand out the treats.

“It’s been fun to work here as a volunteer,” she said. “Everyone really appreciates our participation.”

Forrestdale School Principal Jen Gibbons was indeed grateful for the many student participants from the eighth grade at her school.

“The Fall Festival is a wonderful community-wide event,” Gibbons said. “I love watching my eighth graders interact with the younger students as they provide community service through their work at the game and food stations.”

Fall Festival was held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and coincided with the school district’s Purple Pride day as well as an RFH home football game against Monmouth Regional High School. As the event neared its conclusion, the crowd’s anticipation was building over the upcoming nearby game -- which RFH won by a score of 35-20.

“This is just such an exciting event overall, and Ms. Feeney, Mrs. Gibbons, and Dr. Caulfield-Sloan are always so supportive,” said Parent Teacher Organization President Taryn Iwan. “The Fall Festival requires a lot of preparation, and we truly appreciate all of the help from the administration and staff.”

Alex Everett and Liza Tamashunas served as Co-Chairs for the event. Also helping to make it all possible were PTO members Carolyn Cashion, Laura Gangemi, and Nadia John, as well as a host of parent volunteers for games and check-ins.

In the weeks leading up to Fall Festival, district parents provided support by purchasing “paw print” sponsorships for their children to decorate. The paw print sponsorships decorated the hallways of Deane Porter School as well as the path leading to Fall Festival.

The Rumson School District consists of the Pre-Kindergarten through Third Grade at Deane Porter School located at 50 Black Point Road, and the Fourth through Eighth Grade at Forrestdale School located at 60 Forrest Avenue.