SOMERS POINT — “Costumes encouraged,” Devon Kallen said of the Superhero Date Night coming up this week at Jordan Road School.
Student Council is inviting all students in kindergarten through second grade to bring one special person to the event.
Children can bring an important adult in their lives — a parent, guardian or older sibling, for example — to be their partner for an evening of food, games, prizes, raffles, a photo booth and dancing.
The event is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20, in the cafeteria at Jordan Road School. Admission is $20 per dynamic duo plus $5 for additional sidekicks.
Kallen, athletic director and physical education teacher at the school, serves as adviser to the Student Council.
She said the young leaders from sixth through eighth grades run the show. They have been busy building skyscrapers and other decorations for the cafeteria, which they will decorate when they return from Spring Break in time for the event.
Kallen said the district used to have events for boys and their mothers and a daddy-daughter dance, but decided it was more inclusive to have one special event for all students in K-2.
She said the individual events would draw more than 200 people each and that the school could not accommodate 400 to 500 students at once, combined boys and girls, so decided to limit the grades this year. Kallen said they hope to have another event for third- and fourth-graders.
Now in her 23rd year with the district, Kallen said fliers announcing the event set a deadline to RSVP of April 17 but that was intended only to get an idea of the number of guests. She said people may RSVP until the day of the event at dkallen@sptsd.org.
Kallen said the Superhero Date Night helps teachers, parents and students leap tall buildings together in their relationships, something she believes is beneficial to all involved.
She said it also provides a chance for students to bond with someone they see as a role model.
“Everyone’s schedule is so busy that to have an opportunity to spend time one on one with someone they admire, it’s important to carve out that time,” she said, noting there would be a scavenger hunt and other activities that require teamwork.
In addition, it serves as an opportunity for the Student Council to learn about giving back to the community.
“It is important for them to understand what goes into planning an event,” Kallen said. “They work the event, serve the food, will be working stations — one will be a DJ.”
In addition to the superhero decor, there will be capes and masks available in the photo booth for those who come as they are. Kallen said she would be ironing her Wonder Woman outfit for the big day.
– STORY By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff