Spirit Day a hit at Campus School

Baldwin. Kiwi. Great weather. A giant novelty check with an even bigger number on it. Monday's Campus School Spirit Day had all the markings of a fun time, not only for the students of the Campus School, but for the Campus School Volunteers (CSV), a group of Boston College students that supports the school for disabled students.

"Personally I enjoy the energy that Spirit Day brings to the Campus School," said Margaret Howell, co-president of the CSV and CSOM '06. "The students are so excited to spend time and take pictures with the football team, the cheerleaders, and Baldwin."

Spirit Day offers Campus School students and their parents a chance to spend the afternoon outdoors and interact with their CSV buddies, as well as several members of the football and cheerleading teams, and Baldwin, the BC mascot. Football head coach Tom O'Brien made an appearance as well.

Members of the CSV affirmed the significance of Spirit Day to the students. "Spirit Day is very important to the students mainly because they get extra special attention," said Brendan Ruddy, co-president of the CSV and A&S '06. "As members of the BC community, who pay attention to our sports teams and the spirit of BC, any interaction they get with the football players, cheerleaders, or even Baldwin is great because it affirms the students' presence in our community.

"You must remember that these are young kids going to school on a big and dynamic campus, so opportunities such as Spirit Day when star athletes can pay attention to the kids is really a treat," he continued.

"The kids in the Campus School love having BC students come through," said Jim Conti, co-vice president of the CSV and A&S '07. "They all watch the games and hear about the activities on campus, and being a part of that campus life is really important to them."

Spirit Day also afforded the CSV the opportunity to present its annual donation to the Campus School. In the past year, the CSV was able to raise $75,000 through a number of fundraising efforts. The three main fundraisers for the Campus School are a broom hockey tournament in the spring semester, a Boston Marathon pledge program, and a golf tournament in May. Dance Ensemble also donates the proceeds of all of its shows to the Campus School. The CSV also runs a recycling program every Saturday, where empty cans are traded in for cash that goes to the Campus School.

Campus School officials expressed gratitude for the annual donation, but also recognized the other contributions of the CSV. "Spirit Day is a celebration for the Campus School and for the wonderful volunteer organization we have," said Don Ricciato, principal of the Campus School. "It's not just the presentation of the check. It's what they do day in and day out for the Campus School." Ricciato said that one of the most important functions of the CSV is to raise awareness of the Campus School at BC.

"We have multiple events throughout the year. This November we are having literacy month that brings professors and students of BC into classrooms to read with the classes," said Ruddy. "We also coordinate a variety of 'buddy' type activities where BC students can spend time with the students of the Campus School swimming, playing on the computer, reading, or just hanging out."

"The special events committee [of the CSV] puts on about one party a month to celebrate holidays and Campus School events," said Howell. "This committee contacts dance groups, music groups, and athletic teams to come in for the parties to spend time with the Campus School students."

Conti said that the presence of the Campus School is larger than most people realize.

"Campus School Volunteer programs are all over campus, as are the Campus School students. They are visiting the Bookstore and walking around campus with their teachers and buddies. They are hanging out waiting for their buses everyday on the sidewalk in front of Campion," he said. "It's easy to get involved with the school. Something as simple as saying 'hello' to not only the BC student pushing the chair, but also the child in the chair. They are just as shy, outgoing, and friendly as everyone else. I think one of the issues is people don't realize how easy helping out can be."