Kids dancing

Rows of neon orange pylons waited on the football field in vain for Thursday’s annual Elementary Track & Field Day.

The meet would have been the first held outdoors since 2019, but smoky air, exported by Canada, forced the students inside. 

So, instead of races and jumping and throwing events, a dance party broke out in the new gym, and the K-6 students wore off energy moving to steps shown on the jumbotron above.

To the right, to the right, to the right, to the right
To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left
Now kick, now kick, now kick, now kick
Now walk it by yourself, now walk it by yourself

“The rain and the air quality were against us today,” said physical education and health teacher Charlie Haugen. “We're making the most of the situation, and we’re going to rock and roll.”

Haugen said the kids are going to compete in the track and field events during their normal phy-ed classes instead.

“They will still get scores and stuff. All and all, we’re rolling with the punches, and it’s a great day to be a Clipper.”

Elementary Track & Field Day has been a fun tradition at Cleveland school since at least as far back as the 1970s.