by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
The early-childhood center at Colts Academy was bustling with activity Oct. 14, as the program hosted its annual Family Fun Night.
This year’s event was especially important because the program moved to the Colts Academy building after a June 14 fire destroyed its former location at the Roosevelt School in St. Cloud. That school had been a part of the district since 1920.
To show the program has survived and moved on, the evening included a significant flag-hanging ceremony by Major John Donovan. A flag he originally donated to Roosevelt, which had been hanging on its school wall, was recovered from the part of the building which survived the fire. The flag was cleaned and restored after being damaged by smoke and water.
The flag flew over American soldiers in Bosnia. Donovan, who served in Bosnia, had donated the flag to Roosevelt in 2004 because his sister worked at the school.
Early-childhood services director Alicia Jepsen led the Pledge of Allegiance as Donovan positioned the flag on a gym wall visible to children and staff. St. Cloud, Waite Park and Sartell fire departments, which helped fight the fire, were present at the ceremony. Sauk Rapids, Rockville and St. Augusta departments also helped fight the fire and were thanked for their service.
Jepsen and early-childhood outreach director Patti McGreevy expressed appreciation to soldiers, firefighters, first responders and others for all the work they do to protect and serve. They helped several children give large hand-made thank-yous to Donovan and the fire departments.
St. Cloud Fire Chief Bill Mund spoke of being a former student from 1965-69. He said it was nice to get the flag back and was appreciative of everyone coming out to the event.
More than 155 families registered for the event, which included face-painting, gym play, music, art, science and math activities and more. It also included story time with guests reading in various languages and a Scholastic book fair. Families were able to purchase pizza, apples and milk. Outside, children and families had a chance to check out U.S. Army Reserve, St. Joseph Police, St. Joseph Fire Department vehicles and a school bus.
St. Joseph Police Chief Joel Klein helped children climb into a patrol car and handed out stickers. He kidded the St. Joseph Fire Department about running out of stickers at its recent safety fair held the weekend before.
“It’s great to see the support of the community and how interested everyone is in everything,” Klein said. “The kids are loving the police stickers.”
St. Cloud School District Director of Communications Tami DeLand visited with staff and families at the event.
“This is a fabulous event,” DeLand said. “It’s important because we want to make sure new families feel welcome at the new location. This department has incredible staff.”
Early-childhood teachers and staff expressed their appreciation to all the families who attended the event. Many teachers and staff have been with the district more than 20 or 30 years.
“I love early childhood and obviously the community does too,” Jean Motschke said as she helped at the registration table.
“It’s nice to see families with their children exploring the new community,” Teresa Wieneke said.
“The great turnout we had tonight is awesome,” Deb Johansen said.
Families came from St. Joseph, St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids and other locations to attend the event.
St. Cloud residents Peter and Jill Hoffmann attended the event with their children – Austin, 4, and Adam, 2. Austin attends the early-childhood program and Jill Hoffmann’s parents, Mark and Bonnie Gohmann, are long-time St. Joseph residents.
“It’s fun,” Jill Hoffmann said. “They loved all the vehicles outside.”
Nicole Stromberg attended with her son, Liam Pierson, 2, and her friend Danielle Amundsen and her daughter, Johanna, 5.
“I like it a lot,” Stromberg said. “There are a lot of things for them to try.”
Brent and Amee Heigl attended with their children, Lincoln and Elijah.
“It’s really good to see how busy it is,” Amee Heigl said.
The St. Cloud School District 742 ECFE program is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
Ayden Koprek, 3, son of Jessica and Brent Koprek, (front) and Blake Roshaven, 3, son of Kristi Roshaven, check out the inside of a patrol car at the Oct. 14 Family Fun Night at Colts Academy.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
Lincoln Heigl, 2, checks out the inside of a U.S. Army Reserve LHS cargo hauler.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
From left to right: Early Childhood Services
Director Alicia Jepsen, St. Cloud Fire Chief Bill Mund, Early Childhood Outreach Director Patti McGreevy, and St. Cloud school district director of communications Tami DeLand visit outside of Colts Academy during the Oct. 14 Family Fun Night.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
Austin Hoffmann, 4, and Adam Hoffmann, 2, enjoy pizza and apples with their parents Peter and Jill Hoffmann. Austin attends the ECFE program at Colts Academy. His grandparents, Bonnie and Mark Gohmann, are long-time St. Joseph residents.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
Liam Pierson, 2, enjoys playing in the gym during Family Fun Night.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
Ariyannah Joyner, 4, attended Family Fun Night with her mother Amber Stein.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
From left to right: Early Childhood Services
Director Alicia Jepsen and Early Childhood Outreach Director Patti McGreevy prepare to present the restored flag from Roosevelt School to Major John Donovan to display at the program’s new location at Colts Academy.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
Major John Donovan positions the restored flag on the Colts Academy wall while fire department members and others watch.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
Children give thank-you posters to Major John Donovan and fire department members during the flag ceremony held Oct. 14 at Colts Academy.
