PTA Helps to Make First District-Wide Spirit Day a Success

This year the PTA worked feverishly with the district to make the first district-wide Spirit Day a huge success.

The GCPTA had an objective to raise the level of Garden City spirit with not only the upperclassmen but also the younger students in the district. There was an unexpected outpouring of support and that ripple effect continued to include just about every citizen of Garden City.

All were encouraged to wear maroon and grey or the wonderful Garden City Spirit T-shirt that the school district offered for sale (designed by a Garden City graduate).

The PTA parent volunteers were a driving force behind the scenes supporting every school in their Spirit Day activities. The 1,600 Spirit T-shirts seemed to magically appear in the schools by Oct. 14 due to a huge coordination effort on behalf of the parents. Many more parent volunteers came into the schools to organize hundreds of pieces of felt, glitter, glue and wooden dowels so the kindergarten, first and second grade classes could make a Garden City pennant flag to wave at the Homecoming parade.

In addition, the PTA ran a GC Spirit Day poster contest and the following local vendors were proud to display the winning posters in their storefront: Adelphi Cleaners, Culinary Heights, United People’s Bank, Riesterers Bakery, Hallmark Store, Keyfood and Dunkin’ Donuts.

In the past, Spirit Week has taken place in the middle school and high school. There are many activities, from door decorating to comfy cozy day to wearing tie-dye clothing to name a few. At the end of the week, high school students raise the roof at the pep rally.

This year, the three primary schools along with Stewart and Stratford raised their own roofs by hosting pep rallies. Many high school athletes from all areas including football, swimming, field hockey, lacrosse, track, kickline and cheerleading made visits to the elementary schools.

Bands played and the cheerleaders led the students in a cheer to excite them for the upcoming football game. The kids were so excited and pumped, even the teachers were all into it. An elementary student said, “I live in the best town!”
 
Spirit Week culminated with the Homecoming parade. The Board of Education and Garden City administration led the parade with new participants. The Stewart and Stratford bands proudly joined the march along with the high school marching band. The Garden City clubs had an impressive representation of scouts, twirlers, Thunder Football players and high school and middle school clubs, including a large turnout of the Best Buddies Clubs.

The PTA looks forward to seeing Spirit Day grow next year.