Students from CC Carrothers Public School dancing to Thriller.
These kids can bust a move. Students from kindergarten to grade twelve are putting on their dancing shoes for this years Dance Festival. The Dance Festival has been put on by the Thames Valley District School Board for 41 years. Kim Baxendale has been the organizer of the event for 15 years.
“I love running this event, because dance is inclusive. And so we see all abilities at the Dance Festival, and we see so many boys. It’s a great form of exercise, cooperation, they’re using math skills because they’re counting their steps. It just encompasses so much of our curriculum and what we do every day. And this is just such a fun way to showcase it.” -Kim Baxendale
The Dance Festival is a non-competitive event. It allows the students and teachers to share what they have been learning in dance. Many parents and family members were at the event on Wednesday to watch their child dance their heart out.
This year around 4500 students from 90 different schools are participating in the Dance Festival. The schools are from the TVDSB, which includes schools from St.Thomas, Strathroy, Ingersoll, Woodstock, etc.
“It’s very satisfying to see the work and how polished many of the groups are. I know, because at my own school I run three or four dance clubs,so when it all comes together it’s so satisfying, and so much fun to watch.” -Kim Baxendale
The Dance Festival is a week-long event, from April 16-20. There are two performances each day that showcase the talent from many different schools.
It’s an event where the students and teachers from all different schools can come together, and share the love of dance.
