Brookdale Avenue Celebrates School Spirit Week for Charity

Brookdale Avenue School in Verona is kicking off its 10th annual spirit week on Monday to build school spirit and raise money for the New Jersey Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The week was originally called “pennies for patients” but it was changed to spirit week since so many generous Verona families were donating more than just change, said Principal Richard Rampolla.

School parents, students and staff will donate $2 or more to the New Jersey Leukemia and Lymphoma Society but oftentimes they donate much more, he added.

Last year the school raised $535, a big accomplishment with just 133 students, said Rampolla. This year they home to match it and raise over $500.

Monday is Hat Day where students get to wear a hat of their choice to school. Sometimes they are traditional baseball hats but a lot of times they can get wacky.

On Tuesday, the students get very creative with Crazy Hair Day.

“There is a lot of creativity from students on Crazy Hair Day,” said Rampolla. “I've seen some kids with ribbons, water bottles and all sorts of things tied into their hair.”

Wednesday is College Sweatshirt Day where the students don apparel of their favorite college, a university they would like to attend or a school where their parents attended.

Thursday is Verona Day where students show school spirit by wearing all of their Verona apparel.

Finally, to wrap up the week students can dress comfortably in school for Pajama Day which coincides with Read Across America Day.

“The Kid's can bring a book, gather in their PJ's and all read together,” said Rampolla. “The whole school reads for 30 mins on Friday morning.”

Later that day, since the kids are in their pajamas, they will have “Breakfast for Lunch,” a pancake breakfast served at lunchtime provided by the Brookdale School Community Association (SCA).

“Over the course of the year we do a number of things to give back to the community and those that are less fortunate,” said Rampolla. “Our goal is to help students understand there is a responsibility to care for each other, not just at Brookdale, but beyond our schools as well.”