Floyd B. Watson students kick off winter break with dance

Families enjoy music, games, and festive activities at school event

Posted Friday, March 13, 2026 8:50 am

Students and family members packed the dance floor, enthusiastically forming the iconic letters to “YMCA,” a timeless crowd favorite that had dancers of all ages moving in sync throughout the celebration.

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Fourth-grade friends Natalie Rodriguez, left, and Jordyn Ocasio took their best guesses in the “How Many Kisses Are in the Jar?” contest, hoping their prediction — and their upcoming winter recess — would be filled with plenty of sweet treats.

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Victoria Pizziatolla and her third-grade son, Vincent, celebrated matching moves during the lively “High Five, Low Five” dance game.

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PTA volunteers Stephanie Dilworth, left, and Lauren Cruise, organizers of the “Bring Someone You Love” dinner-dance, helped bring an evening of music, games and fun to life for Floyd B. Watson Elementary School.

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Tricia Tucci and fourth-grader Sophie Monaco (4th grade) get down during "The Chicken Dance."

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Melissa O’Brien and her third-grade son, Declan, shared a memorable moment in the photo area at the PTA’s “Bring Someone You Love Dinner Dance.”

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The photo area was a popular spot for groups of friends to capture fun memories, as students and families posed with props and smiles during the event.

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By Brian Kacharaba

Floyd B. Watson Elementary School’s third- and fourth-grade students kicked off their weeklong winter recess with a festive, PTA-organized “Bring Someone You Love Dinner-Dance” last month, transforming the school gymnasium into a lively celebration filled with music, laughter and Valentine’s Day spirit.

Families gathered for the evening event, which gave students and their parents an opportunity to unwind together just as the school break began.

The gym was decorated from wall to wall with paper hearts and heart-shaped balloons, creating a colorful, love-themed atmosphere. A popular photo booth, complete with an assortment of playful props, allowed students and families to capture memorable moments throughout the night, while tables around the gym provided space for socializing between dances.

Music kept the energy high as students and parents filled the dance floor for party favorites including “Cotton Eye Joe,” the “Cha-Cha Slide,” “Gangnam Style,” “The Chicken Dance,” and “YMCA.” One highlight of the evening was the interactive “High-Five, Low-Five” dancing game, in which participants followed musical cues to exchange high fives and low hand slaps, keeping kids and parents moving and laughing together.

Adding to the excitement was a “How Many Kisses Are in the Jar?” guessing contest, which drew eager participants hoping to win bragging rights. By the end of the night, the dance served as a joyful sendoff into winter recess, giving students a chance to celebrate friendship, family and fun with their school community.

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