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D59 Education Foundation’s celebration kicks off school year

Entertainer “Rock ’N’ Rope Warrior” David Fisher shares the limelight with some of District 59’s students during his act at the district’s Back to School Event on Aug. 26. The annual event was generously sponsored by the District 59 Education Foundation. (Courtesy of District 59)

A District 59 student shows off his best karate moves with one of the karate demonstrators at the district’s Back to School Event Aug. 26. (Courtesy of District 59)

A District 59 student prepares to test her strength on the Giraffe Hi-Striker game at the district’s Back to School Event Aug. 26. (Courtesy of District 59)

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On Saturday, Aug. 26, the D59 Education Foundation once again sponsored the Back to School Celebration, an annual tradition and kickoff event to the new school year.

Students and their families, staff and the community came together at Holmes Junior High School to celebrate the 2017-18 school year.

Lunch was provided through a donation by Organic Life, District 59’s food supplier, who served hot dogs, baked chips, fresh fruit and bottled water. Community partners, including local park districts and libraries, school PTOs, the Boy Scouts of America, Got 2 Run, and many others, were well represented at the event.

Community partners enjoyed the day with students and families, participating in games and crafts and passing out giveaways, prizes and resource information.

Activities included an inflatable obstacle course, a dunk tank, the Elk Grove Village Buffalo Wild Wings mascot, and others. Games were on-site for students to play, both old favorites and new additions, such as the Elephant Rings Toss and Giraffe Hi Striker. Live music was also provided by DJ Alessandro Fantoni, a Holmes alum.

As in years past, the entertainment shows were one of the main highlights of the celebration. Mount Prospect Park District’s dance team performed a number of high-energy routines.

National Karate Schools from Elk Grove Village offered a skills demonstration and involved the audience in activities.

New to the lineup this year, and definitely one of the crowd favorites, was Illinois native “Rock ’N’ Rope Warrior” David Fisher, master of jump rope tricks and stunts, who incorporated speed and record-breaking jumps into his act.

Fisher has often performed on TV, including America’s Got Talent, and holds jump-rope records with both Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and the Guinness Book of World Records. Some of his jump-rope repertoire has included jumping rope while sitting and lying on the floor, dribbling a ball with his feet while jumping rope, and even jumping rope while encased in a human-sized balloon.

Throughout his presentation, he encouraged the students to stay in shape by means of fun physical fitness, or, as he called it, “thinking outside the loop.”

The back to school event continues to be a much-anticipated celebration that starts the new school year off on the right foot.

Marlene Pasdo, D59 Education Foundation board member and chairwoman of this event, said she loves participating in it every year.

“My favorite part of being involved with this celebration is seeing how much our students and families are enjoying the day and reconnecting with friends,” Pasdo said, “all while still learning important and helpful information about what’s available in our community.”

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