One West Shore Parent Advisory Council has decided to forego chocolate bar sales this September, instead opting for something that gets the entire family involved in a different way.

Happy Valley elementary invites the public to join them tomorrow (Sept. 29) for their Community Harvest Festival and Farmers Market.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e tried to really change our focus,B次元官网网址� said PAC president Tarra Rosenke. This means getting away from sending children home with items to sell such as candy. B次元官网网址淎s a parent, I didnB次元官网网址檛 like doing that.B次元官网网址�

ThursdayB次元官网网址檚 event will not only raise funds for the school, it will support others in the community while teaching children where their food comes from. From 4 to 7 p.m. a market will be set up outside, featuring local farmers, businesses and other vendors supporting the school. Students will also be selling homemade pie for $1 a slice.

B次元官网网址淭he whole school is doing a pie-baking contest,B次元官网网址� Rosenke said, adding it will be based on appearance so the pies wonB次元官网网址檛 be harmed before going to market. ItB次元官网网址檚 also a little easier on the judgeB次元官网网址檚 waistline she joked.

From 5:30 to 6 p.m., parents will be able to take a break from shopping to meet with teachers in the school before the big showdown. At 6:00 teachers and students will square off in the ultimate fall fair test. B次元官网网址淲e have our Grade 5s competing against our teachers in a pie-eating contest,B次元官网网址� Rosenke said. B次元官网网址淲e are really, really excited.B次元官网网址�

Pie isnB次元官网网址檛 the only item on the menu. The PAC will also be selling freshly roasted ears of corn from Silver Rill Corn and hot apple cider. Noticeably absent from the menu is junk food B次元官网网址� no pop or chips will be sold at this event. Even the prizes are such items as gourds and mini pumpkins instead of plastic tokens.

There will also be games for the kids to keep all members of the family entertained. B次元官网网址淣othing but the best for our kids,B次元官网网址� Rosenke said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot of fun and itB次元官网网址檚 just promoting family togetherness.B次元官网网址�

But the event isnB次元官网网址檛 just about bringing the community together, as part of the focus will be on celebrating the schoolB次元官网网址檚 new garden. With part of the proceeds from the festival going toward growing the garden, more classes will be able to get involved with the project, which is quickly proving to be a hit with students and their families.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e all trying new things,B次元官网网址� Rosenke noted. Over the summer, families took one-week shifts watering and caring for the garden. During that time they were able to pick a few items to take home and eat. While some children wouldnB次元官网网址檛 necessarily eat those items when parents put them on the table, knowing it was from the schoolB次元官网网址檚 garden has inspired many children to branch out and try new things, she said.

In addition to expanding the garden, the PAC is also looking at installing an outdoor classroom to give children more time outside in a different environment. Other funds will also be allocated for field trips and other classroom activities.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com