Nahant students have a field day

NAHANT — Johnson Elementary School students took a short trip to the Flash Road Recreation Area Tuesday morning for the school’s annual field day.

The children were divided into teams, each represented by a different color and made up of different grades, from kindergarten to fifth grade.

Principal Kevin Andrews said the event is an opportunity for his students to learn concepts such as teamwork while having fun at the same time.

“We always say you have to be kind, cooperative, respectful, responsible, honest and your best self,” Andrews said.

In addition to traditional field activities such as capture the flag, tug of war and fireman’s relay, there were plenty of interactive inflatables to enjoy. The celebrations were accompanied by music selected by the event’s DJ – teacher Scott Bullock.

Event organizer Roxanne Schena expressed gratitude to neighboring Oceanview of Nahant wedding venue owner Mike Gallant for donating the inflatables over the past decade. Other community organizations that donated funds included the Knights of Columbus of Nahant, which funded the purchase of water bottles; the school’s parent-teacher organization, which donated the T-shirts; and Kelly Greens Golf Course, where a cart was loaned to facilitate transportation between the school and the playing field.

Schena herself has been leading this field effort for 15 years. The former PTO president stated that she still loves participating in the event, even though her own children are currently attending college.

“I love it. It’s my favorite day of the year,” Schena said.

She added that she has met many former students who have fond memories of their day in the field long after they graduate.

“All my nieces, nephews, my children, children who aren’t even my children, whenever they leave and go to another school and it’s field day, they say, ‘There’s nothing like field day at Johnson School,’” Schena said . . “It’s just non-stop fun.”

In addition to Schena, about 20 parents volunteered to be caregivers. Andrews revealed that some were tasked with serving as “secret judges” who rewarded teams that prioritized teamwork and encouragement.

Fourth-grader and Orange Team member Alexa DeLoid was happy to have her mother and School Committee member Liana DeLoid as one of the chaperones. She said dancing and spending time with friends are some of her favorite parts of a day in the field.