Block party celebrates start of new school year in Napoleon

NAPOLEON, MI – For a while, Zach Kanaan had the best seat in the house at Napoleon Community Schools' Back-to-School Block Party.

"I love it," said Kanaan, Ackerson Lake High School principal, as student after student sent him plunging in a dunk tank. "It's a beautiful day for this."

"It's a nice way for kids to see their school before they have to go to it, and to see their friends and get excited about going back," said Emily Ray, whose 5-year-old daughter Scarlet is starting kindergarten at Ezra Eby Elementary School on Sept. 8.It was hot during the party on Tuesday, Sept. 1, but that didn't stop a crowd of staff, students, families and community members from turning out for fun, food and fellowship.

This is the fifth year the district has hosted the block party in conjunction with its building open houses.

"It's a community time," said Mike McGonegal, Eby principal. "Everybody comes together to say hi and enjoy the small town atmosphere."

Another popular stop at the party was the free snow cone station hosted by Eby's PTO.

"We've been busy," said Meredith Nykamp, a PTO member with three children heading back to Napoleon schools next week. "My kids were really excited for this party. They're ready to come back to school."

Along with the dunk tank and snow cones, families enjoyed inflatables, music from the Napoleon High School marching band and booths from scouting, sports and other groups.

The party also allows students to raise funds for projects. The dunk tank, for example, was hosted as a prom fundraiser by the junior class.

"It's going pretty well," said 16-year-old junior Riley Bollheimer. "And I like it because every time he gets dunked, the spray from it cools me down a little bit."