You can’t help but get a little giddy at the end of the school year. Not just because of the promise of warm, relaxing days, but also as students and teachers remember everything they’ve learned over the year. June 5 is the last day of the 2014-15 school year for Minneapolis Public Schools, but before we say goodbye for the summer, two Camden schools are planning public events to celebrate and share their accomplishments.
Loring Community School will spotlight an array of achievements on May 29. The public is invited to the Loring Showcase Evening, featuring a sampling of their students’ accomplishments. Visit the schoolyard garden for a garden party and see the work the students have done in this award-winning natural space. Young scientists display their STEM skills in a science fair, and the school band and Irish dancers will also perform. The Footlights drama club will present a short play – be sure to watch for the behind-the-scenes work of the students who created costumes and backgrounds, as well as the actors. Watch the school’s website at loring.mpls.k12.mn.us/ for details (including times, which have not been determined at publishing date).
Fifth grade students at Loring will host a plant sale fundraiser Monday, May 4, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Perennials and prairie plants from the schoolyard will be available for sale, and funds support the schoolyard garden and Kids Cook programs.
Olson Middle School welcomes students and families from Olson, Jenny Lind, Loring and Patrick Henry Schools, as well as members of the Camden Community to celebrate the accomplishments of the year. On Thursday, May 28 from 4-7 p.m., Olson will host their annual End of Year Celebration: Barbacoa. The festival is entirely free and includes food, music and performances by students and staff. Kids can burn off energy and excitement in inflatable play structures, and there will be vendors with information to share. The event is meant for the community to celebrate the students’ and teachers’ triumphs of the year. Everything is free and open to anyone who lives in the community: adults and kids of all ages. For their safety, all children must be accompanied by an adult during the entire event. The festival will be at Olson Middle School Field on the corner of 51st and James Avenues N.