Martins Creek – Fifth- through eighth-graders at Martins Creek Elementary School enjoyed Field Day on May 29.
Jodi Payne, the school’s parent-teacher organization volunteer coordinator, said, “It’s a bittersweet day because so many of them are going on to Murphy Middle and Murphy High schools next year, so we wanted to give them a great last day here.”
Payne’s granddaughter – Zoe, a rising sixth-grader – was among 60 students in grades 5-8 enjoying their last day at the school. While Martins Creek has served up to eighth grade in the past, the Cherokee County Board of Education voted earlier this year to change the school to kindergarten through only grade 5.
Payne said she was disappointed her granddaughter wouldn’t get to finish through her eighth-grade year at the school, which is near her family. Plus, both her daughters and other grandchildren have attended Martins Creek in the past.
The students enjoyed games put together by physical education teacher Emily Jones, including Parachute Tag, Sack Races and Tug-of-War, along with a soaking Sponge Relay and the popular Slip & Slide, which was supervised by Interim Principal Tommy Hollingsworth to great glee, as the students enjoyed a cool treat on a warm spring day down the hillside.
Students were also treated to a cookout of hamburgers and hot dogs by sixth-grade teacher Randy Sellers. He also provides a community cookout at the school’s pavilion every third Friday of each month.
In his last year of teaching, Sellers said he was glad to do something special for the students. He hopes to continue the tradition he and his wife started of cooking monthly and year-round for Martins Creek.
“This is a special place, both the view from campus and in our hearts,” Sellers said while building the fire for his last Field Day.
Details: Visit mcems.cherokee.k12.nc.us.