SMSD Sixth Graders Play to Win at Annual Olympic Festival

Shawnee Mission sixth graders had a day of friendly competition with their fellow feeder schools at the annual Olympic Festival in May. 

The day of games and activities provides graduating sixth graders with an opportunity to get familiar with the building they’ll be attending for seventh and eighth grade while also building camaraderie with their future classmates.

“I think this event does two things for the kids,” said Roesland teacher, Michelle Tapko. “One, it helps kids from each school be more comfortable with the building because, now that they’ve seen it, it’s not so scary. And two, this event builds friendships. It starts to build those cross-elementary relationships. They share their phone numbers and emails and get to know some of their peers before heading into the new school year.” 

Bluejacket-Flint sixth grader Cohen Chalmers said he was nervous about going to middle school before this event. “It’s very different and way bigger,” said Chalmers. “I’m definitely going to get lost.” 

At the Hocker Grove event, students played basketball, ring toss, a flip cup race, and a student-favorite, the parachute game (see pictures).

“It’s really fun seeing all the other schools and all the other people we’re going to go to school with next year and meeting them and going against them is really fun,” said Bluejacket-Flint sixth grader, Brookelyn Soumpholphakdy-Lewis. 

Chalmers says he also likes seeing some of his old friends from past sports teams.