Field day, another way
Aurora firefighter Clay Thomasson got in on the field action while American Academy students Cassidy Anderson and Natalie Barber tried to convince Thomasson to spray color his hair.
Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski
Field day has been a favorite annual event for the students of American Academy (AA). Field day is a day when students put the books aside and head for the great outdoors for team and individual games. This year’s event took place not only as an end-of-school year celebration, but also a day of appreciation for local firefighters.
AA Castle Pines and Motsenbocker campuses incorporated firefighter appreciation day with the school’s annual field day. Despite the cold spring weather, field day was a heart-warming day to recognize those who serve our communities to ensure the safety of our children and families. Active and retired firefighters of South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) were invited for a day of firefighter-inspired events, which included a firefighter photo station, fire helmet (hat) decorating, obstacles and team building activities. Guest firefighters enjoyed a catered lunch by Firehouse Subs and recognition by the AA staff and students. Field day T-shirts were specially designed to recognize both field day and firefighter appreciation day, and they were worn with pride throughout the day’s activities. 
Castle Pines fifth grade campus students Skylar Brand and Maeve Determan took a moment to break from parachute games to show off their firefighter appreciation/field day T-shirts.
There are many ways to celebrate local firefighters and show appreciation. AA came up with their own take on the “Fill the Boot” campaign to honor local firefighters. Instead of filling the boot to raise money, AA students filled the boot with notes and letters of gratitude. Each grade level hand wrote heartfelt messages to the SMFR firefighters. Many students consider firefighters their local heroes. Filling the boot with loving thoughts of gratitude, love and support was just one small, but powerful gesture that these firefighters carried back to their stations. This field day didn’t take the place of traditional school-end class parties, it just added to the celebration for both AA students and local firefighters.
Proudly wearing hand-made firefighter hats, third graders from Ms. Mitchell’s class celebrated the profession with a local firefighter.
Castle Pines campus students heavily engaged in field day activities tried their best to outrun the falling parachute.
