To celebrate the first day of spring, Turner Public School students took a break from their regular routines on March 20 to eat treats and to play Pictionary.

"We needed something light and festive," said Event Organizer Sadie Grabofsky. "The students enjoyed the break from class, I think. I kept watching the clock trying not to consume too much time, but we could have easily taken the whole period and played more interactive games."

School personnel collaborated to provide treats. Diana Maloney baked a cake and decorated it with flowers, leaves, a border, and a message that read: "Spring Is Here! (what a re-leaf)." Maloney's white and devil's food marbled cake with its clever pun not only provided a centerpiece to the table but alluded to the relief we will all likely feel when the long winter lifts and gives way to the budding of springtime-even if those leaf buds mingle with the snow. Other teachers and staff contributed additional goodies that included miniature cupcakes, lemon bars, bakery coffee cakes, brownies, and soda cracker toffee-a decadent confection topped with white chocolate and studded with pastel M&Ms.

Once everyone had eaten a treat or two, Grabofsky pulled in two portable white boards, split the student body into two teams, and selected artists for round one. Each team's artist selected items from a hat and drew as many of the objects designated as could be guessed in one minute. This process ensued with new artists until the block of time set aside for the spring break had expired. The upper classmen comprised of tenth-twelfth graders won 20 to 18 against the underclassmen of seventh-ninth graders. Several underclassmen claimed to have seen the other team cheating or breaking the rules of the game and wish for a rematch.

Regarding the success of the event, Grabofsky exclaimed: "I think we should do it one more time and get the staff involved in the competition!" Several others agreed.