The staff and families of North Sashabaw Elementary School are hoping to get to know the community around them a little better.
On Sept. 18, the school is opening its doors to the surrounding neighborhoods for the NSE Community Fair for a day of games, fun and meeting new people.
‘There’s a lot of really neat people. We’re going to put everyone together and have fun,? Victoria Martinez, fair coordinator, said.
Leading the plans for this year’s fair are coordinators Martinez, Pam Ehrhard, Sherri Summers and PTO President Barb Seiltz.
The idea for the community fair developed last spring as school representatives and parents began brainstorming for upcoming activities for the 2004-2005 year. A large fair seemed like a beneficial way to inform the community about what the school had to offer.
‘It was important for the community to be integrated,? Martinez said. ‘We wanted to involve everyone. That’s the message we wanted for the fair.?
With the support of the school board and school sponsor Dr. Al Roberts, district superintendent, the event is off to a good start. Fair planners are hoping to not only inform the community of the school’s various activities, but of the strong staff behind those endeavors. Many of the building’s staff members have been recognized for their teaching efforts, such as Clarkston Foundation Teacher of the Year Jill Santola.
‘What we want to do this year with the fair is get everyone in the community involved,? Debra Latozas, NSE principal, said. ‘We want them to feel like a part of our community.?
To establish a sense of strong community pride, the school will engage in a giant ‘hug? with fair attendees. The school is hoping for more than 500 people to join in the gesture, a symbolic event the school has planned before.
Fair coordinators have been working diligently to make sure members of the community are involved in planning. The Independence Fire Department will be present at the fair helping with games, the Independence Township Parks and Recreation Department will assist and even members of the school board and administration have been offering advice and suggestions for a successful event.
‘I think it’s those connections that matter most,? Martinez said. ‘This is ours, not just one or the other. It’s all about being in the community and supporting.?
Through the event, fair coordinators hope to raise more than $500 to donate to SCAMP.
During the day, families will be able to enjoy magic shows, games, food, live music and raffles.
‘We try to touch everybody,? Martinez said.
Not only will be fun be the big theme of the day, but information will take center stage as well. Numerous community groups and individuals will be on hand for demonstrations and mini classes on different safety topics, ranging from fire safety to free identification cards for children.
To make the event a success, fair coordinators have recruited the help of more than 55 volunteers and are looking for more.
‘It’s really become a community-wide effort,? Ehrhard said. ‘I think a lot of people don’t realize how big it is and that everyone’s invited.?
With all of the hard work going in to make the community fair a success, Martinez believes everyone will take the same feeling home with them
‘You can come and have fun,? Martinez said.
Help is still needed for the NSE Community Fair. For information on how to volunteer the day of the fair or to donate a service or project, contact Summers at (248) 623-4100 or by e-mail at nsefair@aol.com.