7 Feb 2002
Local Fire Department Invited.
DALLAS—Snowboarding. An early survey of students at Robert Cooke Buckner Elementary School in Dallas says their favorite Olympic sport—particularly after Tuesday's day long snow, is snowboarding.
And on Friday, along with bulletin boards covered with nearly every Olympic winter sport, even including photographs of the venues where they will be held, the school's 560 students will hold a parade through their campus and feature the flags of 28 countries that will be taking part in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake.
Students also will carry a replica torch and light a cauldron of paper flames. At this writing, they're still trying to figure out how the "flames" will be "ignited" in their cauldron made of a trash can covered in aluminum foil. But the flames, made of red and orange crepe paper, truly will symbolize the fire and excitement in the hearts of the children who clearly have worked hard to prepare for Friday's event.
All of the countries that will be participating in the 2002 Winter Olympics will be represented in a parade throughout the school grounds. At least two students each will carry a replica three-by-four-foot paper flag as their respective class marches along. Children also will be dressed in colors matching their respective national flag.
The school has also invited members of their local fire station to join in the parade in honor of the memory of the World Trade Center attacks on September 11.
The students' activities will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Buckner, which is located at 400 Ella Avenue.
Principal Kathy Snyder said the students are excited about tomorrow's event.
"They have been working for the past several weeks to prepare for their Olympic Parade of Flags," Snyder said. "Each class has completed their bulletin boards and one can tell they have put considerable time, attention and energy into learning about the Olympics. This will be a colorful event that will help emphasize national pride and the spirit of athletic competition and achievement. One of our teachers is even sending popcorn packets home with her kids so their family can enjoy while watching the opening ceremonies."