POTTSTOWN PA – Few would mistake Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School for an Athenian stadium, but parents, teachers and students alike may have sworn Friday (Sept. 14, 2012) there was an uncanny resemblance between the two, as the school conducted an Olympic Games competition as a community event on its Buchert Road campus.

The activity, Principal Ruth Fisher said, was the first of three planned during the 2012-2013 academic year to reintroduce the building, which formerly housed grades 1-5 from a limited geographic area, as the educational center for grades 3-5 from across the entire Pottsgrove School District. Hundreds of children, faculty members, volunteers and visitors fanned out across the grounds, both front and rear, for a day of sports-like fun and laughter. The kids rolled tires, kicked balls and threw foam javelins (top) as part of several contests, and ultimately were awarded as “medalists.”

Even the day’s 9:10 a.m. launch had an Olympic feel. Members of each class paraded into the “stadium” – a transformation of the school’s asphalt topped north-side assembly area – representing competing countries and wearing appropriate cultural items they made themselves. Princesses, vikings, pharoahs, the sartorially sombreroed, and all sorts of other athletic personalities (above) all made an appearance.

As relaxed as the participants seemed, the competition was nonetheless intense. Students in each class challenged their peers as groups on a point system. One hand-off in the Meatball Roll (above) – in this case, an automobile tire was the meatball – visibly demonstrated the kids’ focus on helping their classes succeed.

Fisher (above), who spent most of her day cheering for anyone in sight,  credited staff members Lisa Cies and Melissa Vishio with months of work and research during the summer to plan the day. “They put in a lot of time, did a terrific job, and deserve much of the credit,” she said.

Related:

• Art Of The Free Throw Became Olympic Passion Friday