SCHOOL NO. 5

On a sun-soaked Friday afternoon, just two days before Father’s Day, the playground at School No. 5 came alive with cheers, laughter, and a whole lot of heart as kindergarteners teamed up with their dads for an unforgettable celebration of love and play.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐳𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐲-𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.

The fun began in the classroom, where students and their dads tackled a series of bonding games—mini-challenges that sparked big laughs, high-fives, and memories in the making.

Then the action moved outdoors for a 30-minute soccer match beneath the blazing June sun. With sneakers gliding across the blacktop and soccer balls darting across the court, the dads showed off some slick moves of their own while their kids squealed with delight. Water bottles in hand, the dads dashed. The children cheered. And for a little while, the schoolyard became a field of dreams.

“This isn’t just about Father’s Day—it’s about building core memories,” said Lepore. “Our students will remember the joy of playing, laughing, and feeling celebrated beside their dads.

That’s the magic.”

After the final whistle, the group retreated to the cool, colorful comfort of Ms. Lepore’s kindergarten classroom for a sweet surprise: an ice cream celebration loaded with toppings and love. Principal Rachelle Crawley joined the party, donning a big smile as she helped scoop ice cream and sprinkle toppings for students and their guests. Each dad took a seat at their child’s table, enjoying sundaes made with tiny hands and big hearts.

From classroom giggles to playground goals, the event reminded everyone that the best way to celebrate Father’s Day might just be to play like kids—and eat dessert first.