Bobby Ray marks end of school with water activities

Bobby Ray Elementary has a tradition of celebrating the end of the school year by beating the heat. Water Day is a big part of the way the school rewards its students for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. Though the school does hold other reward days for the students, Water Day reigns as the most anticipated and memorable for all those who attend.

Candy Seals, instructional coach at Bobby Ray, shared her thoughts on what Water Day is and what makes up the best parts of the event. "We have PBIS programs at school, and that stands for positive behavior in school, and they earn Star Bucks, because we are the Bobby Ray Stars," stated Seals. Rewards days are held each quarter for the students where they can use their Star Bucks to purchase participation in the rewards.

Each event that was held during Water Day cost the students a certain amount of Star Bucks, and the goal for the students are to collect enough to participate in everything. This Water Day had water slides, a station for students to spray their teachers, water-based duck, duck goose, snow cones and sprinklers.

Perhaps the most memorable and traditional event during Water Day, however, is when the firetruck shows up to shower the students and teachers with water. "The firetruck is for everyone. It's our traditional end of the year celebration," said Seals.

The firetruck seems to be everyone's favorite part of Water Day. Seals stated that she has been with Bobby Ray since its opening in 1995 and the firetruck has been a staple since the school's origins. "Even the seniors that came to do the Senior Walk yesterday – we asked them what their best memory of school was, and we had about 40 – I would say at least 10 of them said the firetruck day. So, it created a great memory of Bobby Ray."

Seals stated that despite ranking which event is the favorite, the whole day is fun. Students get to see their teachers and instructors let loose with them and recognize them as the normal people that they actually are.

"At this point in the year you can almost be more like their friend. They see you as a real person instead of the person who just gives them information every day."