STRATFORD—“There is one thing about being the target in a dunking booth—the water is cold!” confirmed St. Mark School Principal Melissa Warner, as she was repeatedly dropped into frigid water. 
The day was all in fun as the principal made herself the target at this year’s Annual Field Day and the first Dunk Tank Challenge. The FUNraiser event, sponsored by the Home School Association, focused on bringing joy and laughter to the St. Mark School Community.
Decked out in a wetsuit, floaty, snorkel and swim goggles, Warner entered the tank to the tune of “Baby Shark” as students cheered with excitement.
“It’s so fun and the look on the students’ faces makes it so worth it!” shares Warner. “They deserve to have fun like this!”
Warner hit the tank first but other staff members soon followed her lead. Mr. Fallon and Mr. Kennedy (middle school teachers), Ms. Justo (second-grade teacher), Mrs. Nettleton (director of Religious Education) and Miss Claire (Pre-K) also dared the chilly waters.
In addition to buying $2 chances to “Dunk the Principal,” students had the opportunity to buy $1 chances to “Pie a Teacher.” Mrs. Larracuente (Pre-K), Miss Miller (third-grade teacher), Mrs. DiMaio (fifth-grade teacher) and Miss Sarah (art teacher and after-school program director) were all part of the “Pie a Teacher” fun!
In all, ten faculty and staff members volunteered to get pied or dunked.
“Our school theme this year is ‘teamwork’ and I was so glad to see so many of my colleagues join in on the fun,” commented Warner.
As it turned out, some students had particularly bad luck hitting the dunk tank’s small-sized target. Fortunately, parent volunteers happily pressed the target to the crowd’s persuasive cheers.
“I love this community and the Dunk Tank Challenge/Pie a Teacher Event was a great way to bring everyone together and make memories,” commented Home School Association Vice President Lisa Christoffersen. “There is nothing better than hearing children laugh and squeal!”
“We’re trying to end the school year on a high note,” said Principal Melissa Warner, “to celebrate like the school family that we are.”
Warner admits there is not much she would not do for her school community.
St. Mark School is a 2009 Nationally Recognized Blue Ribbon School of Academic Excellence and a New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accredited school, serving students in Pre-K through grade 8.
(To learn more, visit www.stmarkschool.org or email contactus@stmarkschool.org.)
