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Fall fest gives students, parents time together
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Students, parents, volunteers and staff mill around the games provided at the festival. - photo by Photo by Seraine Page
On Friday evening, parents wandered around the grassy field in front of  Frank Long Elementary School watching their children play, laugh and enjoy the sunny day.
For the past 15 years, Frank Long Elementary has held a fall festival as a fundraiser and lively cool-weather event for students and their families.
Single father Errol Wilkins said he loves when the school puts on events like the fall festival.
“Being a single parent, every time I can, I try and come out with my daughter to these events,” he said of his second time attending the event.
He smiles while watching his daughter Elisia, 7, pounce around in the moonbounce house.
The evening event generally always draws a big crowd, said Principal Judy Hellgren who expected about 300 people to show for the event.
“It is nice that we can get together in a setting that’s not academic,” she said of the event.
Proceeds from the tickets will go toward school supplies for needy children and the maintenance of the school website, said Hellgren.
Beanbag tosses, hayrides, moonbounces and fishponds were among the 17 games that staff members set up for the event.
Event-goers purchased tickets for 50 cents each, and then traded them in for any games or food items available.
Hamburgers cost three tickets. Nachos and cheese were two tickets and a salty bag of popcorn cost just one ticket.
“I think it is wonderful for the kids,” said Wilkins. “The kids are enjoying themselves. It’s nice.”

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BI hosts LCSS Gala
LibertyCountySchools

Bradwell Institute’s Friends Helping Friends will host the 3rdAnnual Liberty County School System Special Needs Gala Saturday at 7p.m.

The dance portion of the gala is free and open to the public.

FHF was started three years ago by BI special needs teacher Charlie Moon. FHF is comprised of a large group of general education students that connect special needs students with their general education peers. They have raised $20,000 in the last 30 months, for events like this, a new sensory room, music therapy equipment, and many other fun events. 

“FHF does so much for the special needs students. It really brings them out in their social skills. They become so much more comfortable around us all,” FHF Junior Danielle Hennessee said. 

FHF Junior Jada Naftzinger said it’s a two-way street. “It not only helps them, but us as well. It brings us out of our own shells and comfort zones.” 

Moon added, “For us, the Gala is not our calling card. I’ve told the students from day one, unless they truly know these special needs students, we won’t do the Gala at all. We’ll throw a big pizza party instead. The point is, we want the kids to really focus on the one-on-one, in-class work, hanging out in the halls, really talking to them. That’s the only way this program truly reaches its potential. Our motto is, “Changing lives, one friend at a time.”

During a private dinner which precedes the public dance, district office personnel, representatives from Congressman Buddy Carter’s office, district SPED staff, BI Football players and FHF members, parents and the honored guests – 50 special needs students from around the district will be in attendance.

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