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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

WV says thank you with block party

Free annual event features food, entertainment, more

School Board Director Jim Williams, right, serves dessert to a guest at the 2012 Block Party. Board members Sam Andrews and Pam McLeod (obscured) prepare spaghetti dinner plates for guests.

The 12th annual Valley Community Block Party will give students a chance to shine.

Musicians in the district – elementary and middle school orchestra students, the Centennial Middle School jazz band, the high school choir – will perform. There will be a display of the robotics team from the high school, as well as DECA students, Future Business Leaders of America and the FIRST Lego students.

George Castor and the rest of his maintenance and custodial departments help set up, clean up and even deliver student projects to the block party for display.

“They support us in every way,” district spokeswoman Sue Shields said.

Nutrition services employees volunteer their time to make the free spaghetti dinner including salad, Texas toast and strawberry shortcake served up by members of the school board.

A popular booth at the party is the dunk tank. Centennial Middle School Principal Karen Bromps will let visitors take a shot at dunking her in the tank.

For the kids, there will be a bounce castle, face painting and arts and crafts tables run by the Spanish Club.

While the students and staff put a lot of work into the event to make sure parents have a good time, Shields said the event isn’t just for those who have a connection to the schools.

“We just want to make sure our community knows this is for them,” she said, especially those taxpayers in the district who don’t have children who attend the schools.

Shields said all activities for kids will be free. There are even door prizes for every visitor.

The event started in 2002 as a way to thank the community for passing a levy.

“It’s a thank you from the board,” Shields said.