A.G. Baillie students set for Spring Fling
On Saturday when youth walk through the doors at A.G. Baillie Memorial Elementary School, their centre of learning will be transformed into a centre for fun and the community is invited to join them.
The 22nd Annual Spring Fling will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring games and prizes for the kids including face painting and tattoos as well as a bounce house, chocolate bar bingo and cookie decorating. There will also be a silent action and raffle as well as a bake sale.
“As you go down the hallway, there will be something happening in each room,” said vice principal Joan MacIntosh. “It’ll be a steady stream of people going up and down the hallway.”
In addition to the traditional Mother’s Day Basket typically donated by the A.G. Baillie staff members for parents to enter the raffle on, they will have $100 of lobster to be won. At the silent auction adults will have a chance to bid on a wide array of items.
The auction will close at 12:30 p.m. with selected items going to the highest bidder at closing time. A few of the prizes include Lia Sophia jewelry; fidget spinners, gift certificates for gravel, boom truck rental, laser eye surgery, restaurants, passes for Magic Mountain, Upper Clements Park and tickets to This Hour has 22 Minutes.
The fling is the major annual fundraiser for the school. Last year’s event raised $16,000.
Money raised supports concerts for students, drama productions, referee fees, sports uniforms, class trips, greening projects, the band program and home and school. As well each staff member receives an amount of money for enhancements in their classrooms that aren’t provided by the school board.
Over the years, it has also helped purchase items such as playground equipment, new technology, photocopier upgrades, gym equipment, reading tables and books.
MacIntosh said they often have former students return back for the day even if they don’t have younger brothers or sisters at the school because they enjoy it so much.
“There are lots of families and children and returning former Baillie Bears that make their way back here too,”
Ava Dickson, a student at the school, said she loves going every year.
“It’s really fun to try to win challenges,” she said.
Courtney MacLaren often helps set up the night before with her mom and said she also enjoys taking part.
The candy they can win as prizes is also a sweet part of the day, students who take part said.