Theme Day brought fun activities to two schools instead of one in 2025. Webutuck Elementary School staff chose under the sea as its theme for its annual event, and theme day returned for the first time in several years to Eugene Brooks Intermediate School with a jungle theme.

“I thought I came into a jungle,” said sixth grader Logan Jenkins on entering school. “I’m having a lot of fun because we’re doing fun activities and I’m with my friends.

“I’m making new friends, too.”

Teachers and staff stayed late the previous night to prepare the halls and classrooms, and to make final preparations for their classroom activity. EBIS was decorated in green with animals, and WES was trimmed in blue with fish. One WES hallway had a shark hanging from the ceiling.

“The school looks amazing,” said Amanda Coppola, WES principal. “You look like you’re in an aquarium or under the sea. Teachers put in a lot of their own time and resources to make it look amazing. I’m so appreciative for the staff and everything they’ve done for the students.”

“Beth Murphy (librarian) has been amazing in facilitating everything.”

Students started the day in their homerooms, and were separated into groups, mixing classes and grades, so a EBIS group had students in grades four through six. Students followed a day of activities with their theme.

“To bring theme day to EBIS means a lot,” said Collin Johnson, an EBIS teacher who previously taught at WES. “The fact we’re doing it on the same day is awesome.

“I get to meet students that I don’t get to talk to on a regular day; I get to decorate my classroom, and I get to use my teaching skills in a fun-filled way.”

Intermediate and high school librarian Leah Sprague organized theme day for EBIS.

“The students have been talking that they had theme day across the street and they really wanted to see it carry over here,” said Sprague. “I thought it was a great idea, so I brought the idea to Ms. (Jennifer) Hengen. She felt the same way, so we made it happen.”

Hengen said the staff had five different themes to pick from and selected the jungle in a vote.

“Ms. Sprague worked diligently with the teachers in trying to make a schedule that was conducive to get all the students involved in small groups,” she said.

Fourth grader Devin Johnson and sixth grader Liam Diaz were still enjoying the day even though they were not surprised. Johnson and Diaz stayed after school and saw staff preparing the halls for theme day.

“I’m excited. I’m doing everything on theme day, especially the crafts,” said Johnson.

Diaz added, “It’s a fun day.”