Jumpstart’s Sports Day

The School of Education's Jumpstart program hosted Sports Day on Wednesday, May 4th 2011 from 10:30am to 12:00pm. 115 children between the ages of three and five came to Taffner Field House on St. John’s campus to participate in activities with over 80 volunteers. Fourteen campus organizations each sponsored different activities consisting of different sports themes or projects specific to the clubs. Campus organizations including Dean’s Scholars, Haraya, The Men’s Soccer team and many more sponsored arts and crafts activities. Each group had their own spot on the gym floor inside Taffner Field House and worked in teams to create artwork and play games with the children who came from Starlight Child Center and Bright Beginnings.

The children were divided into teams of eight and split amongst all the activities.  Each child had the chance to rotate and take part in each activity. Children made everything from puppets, 3D live footballs, tissue paper basketballs, sports jerseys, masks, poetry books, bookmarks, name necklaces, crowns and much more! Johnny Thunderbird, the school mascot, also volunteered his time by going around to each station, participating in activities and taking group pictures with the kids. Each child took home a draw string bag donated by Modell’s with water bottles, reading books and school supplies donated by a local target Target.  Even the Queens Library got involved by creating a reading station that the librarian was able to engage children in an interactive reading. The director of Starlight Child Center exclaimed, “What an amazing event. It is so well organized and I am so glad the children were able to come to campus and see Corps members and other students in a different light.”
 

For more information regarding the Jumpstart Program please contact:

Susan Chun
Senior Site Manager
718-990-2662
Chuns@stjohns.edu