Game Day was a WIN for Laurel Springs

On Friday, October 23, Laurel Springs hosted our first online Game Day! Grade levels were split into groups for more age-appropriate fun. Zoom rooms were set up to host each online activity at designated times. It was fully orchestrated to add an engaging, interactive element to a spirited school day. Laurel Springs Event Specialist, Julie D’Esposito commented on the inspiration behind the festivities:

“Game Day was planned as a way to gather our students together while we can't be together in person at some of our regularly scheduled events, like our fall field trip. We love finding new ways to get students involved in fun activities. We had a great turnout at our first virtual Upper School Prom this past June, which is when we got the idea for Game Day. It was an exciting day for all of our students to engage with each other in an interactive way, learn about their fellow students, and have a chance to interact with many of our Laurel Springs Staff.”

Games By Grade

In Lower School, grade K-2 enjoyed multiple rounds of Simon Says and scavenger hunts. About 200 grade 3-5 students participated in games such as 5 Second Rule and Pictionary. Middle and Upper School planned the day’s events around the Unity Week theme. Introductions kicked it all off, followed by icebreakers, a team activity, and closing ceremony. Over 250 grade 6-8 students joined in the joyfulness. While about 115 grade 9-12 students participated in games like Bingo, Charades, Trivial Pursuit, and an Escape room!

The Zoom Escape Room was a highlight of the event. Grade 11 student, Riley Samz, reached out to Game Day coordinators Rachelle Wafer and Chris Lane with enthusiastic appreciation:

“Thank you both so much for helping make Game Day’s escape room a reality! I think it was a smashing success! The opportunities to both collaborate with my peers to create an escape room and to lead an escape room was a fantastic challenge of my leadership and teamwork skills. I am thrilled with how well it turned out, and it has made long lasting great memories.” 

Laurel Springs staff is in the beginning stages of planning the next virtual event. While there’s already a long list of ways students can socialize in an online environment, we’re always thinking of new ways to excite and engage.