By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

CONVENT – In less than a week, Romeville Elementary School in Convent will close its doors for the final time, but that reality was the furthest thing from the minds of the school’s students, who spent Thursday afternoon enjoying an assortment of outdoor games on the school’s playground.

Students rolled around in a giant human hamster ball, slingshot “angry birds” at a pair of game boards and played a unique version of dodge ball with assorted bean bags as part of the school’s Fun Day festivities Thursday.

“It was a chance for the students to unwind now that the year is coming to an end,” said teacher Kylie Smith. “They know it is the final year here, so we wanted to do something very special.”

The St. James Parish School Board recently voted to close the school, which has suffered in recent years with poor School Performance Scores and dwindling enrollment. Diminishing population numbers in Convent area because of an influx of industry has whittled the school’s enrollment to 88 students, most of whom will transfer to Paulina Elementary in the fall.

The sad news did not seem to affect the mood of the day as teachers laughed along, and even participated in some of the games with students. Various industry partners, including St. James Stevedoring, Nucor and Yara, sponsored Thursday’s activities, which also included video games and laser tag.

쇓