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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
It’s a longstanding tradition that every elementary school student in Medfield looked forward to this year: the annual Winter Carnival at Memorial School.
For years, the Memorial and Wheelock School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) teamed up to host a day of carnival games and prizes, silent auctions, and baked goods to fundraise. This year on March 10, however, the Dale Street School joined to bring an even larger crowd to the carnival.
“The Winter Carnival has been going on for years and years,” said PTO Co-Chair Kelly Wysocki, who helped organize the event with Co-Chair Amanda Spears and many parent volunteers. “It’s something that gives all of us an opportunity to get together, and the kids love it – they have a blast.”
Nine-year-old Sophia tosses a football for a prize at one of the Winter Carnival’s many sports-themed activities. Photos by Laura Drinan
The proceeds from the carnival support educational enrichment programs in Medfield’s K-through-eight schools, such as reading programs, author visits, and field trips, as well as the “Medfield Talks” series and the teacher thank you fund.
This year’s carnival was held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and featured a variety of games and crafts for children. Ordinary classrooms were transformed into sand art and bead bracelet stations, and housed games like Deal or No Deal, Wheel of Fortune, and sports-themed activities.
Friends at the Memorial School’s annual Winter Carnival enjoy a fun-filled day together. Photos by Laura Drinan
Depending on their success in many of the games, children received stamps on the paper bracelets they wore, which could be redeemed at the “prize palace” later. In the Memorial School library, a silent auction full of donated goods gave parents and caregivers the chance to win gift baskets, sports memorabilia, jewelry, and tickets and gift cards to sporting events, museums, restaurants, and salons.
Inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses in the gym also attracted many children to the carnival, and a touch-a-truck with Medfield Public Works brought the fun outside, too.
“It’s just a wonderful tradition - and, of course, it’s just an awesome fundraiser,” Kelly said.
“The community of Medfield has been so generous in coming out and supporting this for so many years. It allows us the opportunity to provide a lot of extra activities for the children that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to, so we’re really grateful for the community and their support of the carnival.”
