Schools
PTA Throws Cross Street School a Farewell Party
Carnival held for Cross Street families and faculty members before school closes.
The threat of rain did not dampen the spirits at the Cross Street PTA Saturday afternoon for their farewell carnival. With ominous clouds overhead, the parents went along setting up the games and the grill while the children ran around in the background.
With the closing for good at the end of the year, the PTA planned the event as a sendoff to all the families and faculty members they had become close to over the years.
“It’s a family party to celebrate our time at Cross Street,” Michele Martin, a member of the committee tasked with putting together the carnival and the parent of a Cross Street first grader, said. “It is a goodbye party for all the families.”
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The school had become the focus of intense debate by both the Mineola and Williston Park communities over a lease with the , which will .
When school PTA personnel learned 2011 would be their final year, they decided to pool their remaining money to hold the carnival and planning the event since February.
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Held on the back softball field and playground equipment, the carnival included inflatable slides, a moon bounce, dunk tank and multiple games for the children to participate in, including a hula hoop contest with DJ Tagz from radio station Party 105.3.
The children were served carnival staples like hot dogs, watermelon, cotton candy and popcorn.
Girl Scout Troop 1087 did their part by collecting non-perishable items to help those in need. Led by troop leader and PTA Vice President Laurain Jones, the girls asked for help from families attending the carnival. The troop is going for their bronze award this year.
“They’re asking the families to come to the carnival to donate for ,” Jones said.
The drive was planned a little over a month ago with troop members placing two large, green containers at the entrance to collect items.
The emotions of the day ran high for the families realizing it would be the last time they would all be together. When asked about her fond memories the school, Jones said it would make her cry if she thought about it.
“It’s a very wonderful building,” Martin said. “It’s a small community, everyone is all hands on deck.”
