Elementary students ‘bug-out’ from school

Students attending Ramstein Elementary School got to end the school year with a
sports day themed “bug-out” June 8.

The bug-out is held annually prior to summer break and gives students a chance to end school the right way by participating in various fun events throughout the day.

“We spent a lot of time planning this event. We have 950 kids that we had to come up with a schedule for so they could participate in all 22 stations,” said Amanda Speraw, Ramstein Elementary School physical education teacher. “We couldn’t have done this without the more than 150 volunteers who showed up. That was huge getting the volunteers out to work with the kids.”

Volunteers for this event came from all over Ramstein; security forces, firefighters and various squadrons around base made up those who were willing to help.

“I came out today because I love working with children,” said Airman 1st Class Jamie Minnish, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-130J crew chief. “This was a good opportunity for me to meet new people and see the children having fun competing or working together, depending on the event.”

For Speraw, getting her students active for an entire day was her primary task.

“Kids don’t get out enough as it is because the weather here is so unpredictable,” Speraw said. “It was important to me to get them out to do physical activity, instead of watching movies or playing on the computer.”

The day was filled with events done in gym class from throughout the year.

“Every station out there today were things we do in gym class. All of the relays we did, the ring toss, etc. we did in the gym,” Speraw said. “We brought everything they learned throughout the year and put it together, kind of like a review for the students.”

At the end of the day, Speraw said the students were having fun and getting through all the events in a timely manner.

“I think getting everyone through the different stations while having as much fun as possible made the bug-out a success,” Speraw said.