NAHANT — Johnson Elementary School students made the short trip down to the Flash Road recreation area on Tuesday morning for their school’s annual field day.
The children were divided into teams, each represented by a different color and composed of multiple grade levels from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Principal Kevin Andrews said that the event is an opportunity for his students to learn concepts such as teamwork while also having fun.
“We always say be kind, cooperative, respectful, responsible, honest, and your best self,” Andrews said.
In addition to traditional field-day activities such as capture the flag, tug of war, and fireman relay, multiple interactive inflatables were available to use. The array of festivities was accompanied by music that was selected by the event’s DJ — teacher Scott Bullock.
The event’s organizer, Roxanne Schena, expressed gratitude to the owner of the neighboring Oceanview of Nahant wedding venue, Mike Gallant, for donating the inflatables for the last decade. Other community organizations that contributed resources included the Nahant Knights of Columbus, which funded the purchase of water bottles; the school’s parent-teacher organization, which provided T-shirts; and Kelly Greens Golf Course, which lent a cart to facilitate transportation between the school and the field.
Schena herself has been leading the field-day effort for the past 15 years. The former PTO president said she still loves being involved in the event despite her own children now 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 hold fond memories of field day long after they graduate.
“All my nieces, nephews, my kids, kids that aren’t even my kids, whenever they leave and go to another school and there’s field day, they’re like, ‘There’s nothing like Johnson School field day,’” Schena said. “It’s just non-stop fun.”
In addition to Schena, approximately 20 parents volunteered to chaperone. Andrews revealed that some were tasked 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 that dancing and spending time with her friends were some of her favorite parts of field day.
