St. James Students Gain New Learning Through Play

Top photo above, participating in the 'Global Day of Play' at St. James School in Springfield, were, shown, left to right:

James, Jules and Adam Cordeiro, Jack Chacon and Michael Cangiano.

Bottom photo, above, Afternoon of Play participants, were, shown, left to right, Charlee Tarlac, Andrea Falar, Kiyoshi McBurrows and Raina Mendoza

Students at St. James the Apostle School in Springfield participated in the “Global Day of Play” on October 5. The “Global Day of Play,” which is part of the Global Cardboard Challenge, is celebrated on the first Saturday of October. This day coincides with the anniversary of the “surprise flashmob” in the YouTube sensation of “Caine’s Arcade” short film. On this day, friends, family, co-workers and community members all over the world come out to play, celebrating the creativity and imagination of children everywhere.

The challenge is an annual event started in 2012. Its goal is to engage 1 million children in creative play.

At St. James the entire student body was engaged in creative play in Hatcher Hall. Students in the third to eighth grades were challenged to create something with cardboard. Students made miniature arcade games of all kinds. Eighth graders used their imaginations by creating structures representing their interests, such as hot air balloons, panda bears, even icons from games like Fortnite. Everything was created in school with finishing touches made at home.

The first part of the event involved students sharing play time within their class. Then they were able to move around and play with the creations of students in other grades. Finally, it was time for students to go back to their creations and host the youngest students in pre-kindergarten to second grade, who were invited “to play.”

The students were encouraged to continue to be curious and creative... all it takes is a cardboard box and some imagination.

St. James the Apostle School has been serving the parishioners of St. the Apostle Church in Springfield and surrounding communities since 1953. The school offers students from PreK-3 through eighth grade a Roman Catholic faith-based education which acknowledges each child's individual ability to achieve their fullest potential academically, socially, and spiritually.

The school is located at 41 S. Springfield Ave., Springfield. Please telephone 973-376-5194 or email sjschool@sjspringfield.org for more information.