Highlands students have a blast at Kid’s Night Out

Dozens of kids spent Saturday evening at Highlands School for Kid’s Night Out making Valentine’s Day cards, painting rocks, planting a clover garden, grooving to a cupcake walk, and playing other games. The event was part fundraiser, and part chance to cut loose and have a good time.

“The purpose was to raise funds for Charleston (trip), but also to give back and let parents have a night to themselves, especially before Valentine’s Day,” said Highlands School 5th-grade Teacher Maci Lequire.

Kids attending Kid’s Night Out made their own clover gardens to bring home on Saturday.

She added that the parents had a part in planning the night’s shenanigans and Highlands Biological Station Project Coordinator Sonya Carpenter volunteered to show kids how to create a clover garden to take home.

“The 5th grade parents really took control of this and came up with the ideas for what to do,” said Lequire. “I think the kids had a blast, and we were talking about making this an annual activity! One boy asked his dad when the next Kid’s Night Out was as he left.”

Making Valentine’s Day cards. Editor’s Note: Red ribbon, check; construction paper, check; glue stick, check; giant bag full of blue crayons, check.

Highlands School 5th-grade Teacher Angela Swain said they are close to raising enough money for the annual 5th-grade Charleston trip in March.

“We are very close to everyone being fully paid for the trip,” Swain. “We figured it would be fun to do Valentine’s crafts since it was near the holiday and we did a ‘cupcake’ walk as an activity for dessert. And Sonya (Carpenter) came up with painting rocks and making a garden. The turnout was great, and I think the kids had a great time!”

After dinner, students played games in the gym and participated in a cupcake walk.

Students were excited to show off their final product after crafting their own Valentine’s Day cards.

From left are Highlands School 5th-grade Teachers Angela Swain and Maci Lequire who helped coordinate Kid’s Night Out on Feb. 9.

In the back right is Sonya Carpenter from the Highlands Biological Station explaining to students the environmental benefits of growing clover at Kid’s Night Out at Highlands School.