8th Grade Dance

Every year, the 8th grade graduates have an end of the year dance. Years ago it was at a restaurant and got to the point that it was like a prom...fancy dresses and limousines. At some point, long before I moved here, the parents decided it was too much for 8th graders and decided that they would have the kids choose a theme and the parents would decorate the gym, as a gift. It's become the highlight of going to school here. The kids know the theme, but have no idea what the parents are doing. They're led into the gym in a group and the look of amazement on their faces is always priceless. This year was no exception. The theme was "The Jersey Shore" and many of the towns were represented.

There was a miniature golf course, like you'd find on the boardwalk...

They could play skee ball in front of Lucy the Elephant in Margate....

There was an arcade....

And of course an under the sea themed dance floor, complete with disco ball!

In Cape May they could have their pictures taken in old fashioned costumes on the front porch of a Victorian house...

In Sea Isle City they could have their fortunes told by a gypsy....


In Wildwood they could get tattoos (the boss and I made the tattoo parlor!)

We even had some cruise directors...

The parents were allowed to stay for the first half hour of the dance so they could see the kids come in and check everything out...then we were kicked out. But...there was also an inflatable bungee jumping thing that led from Grace having a wonderful time....


To a trip to the emergency room this morning....

Fortunately it's not broken, but she'll be on crutches for a week. The night certainly was memorable!