Murray Elementary held its annual “Flick on the Field” on September 13, and perfect weather helped boost attendance at the popular event where the entire school population gathers to watch an evening movie on the field inside Murray’s running track. This year’s flick was Inside Out 2, which had just been released to video days before.
Murray’s principal, Wendy Eckerle, said the school holds the event early in the school year to emphasize its commitment to inclusion and a sense of belonging. “We really value knowing every child in our building, which really means getting to know every family,” said Eckerle. “Flick on the Field is really a celebration and extension of that community spirit.”
Murray parent Leslie Ratan coordinated the huge, multi-faceted event, which ran smoothly for attendees. “There’s a dinner component where people can pre-order pizza and sandwiches, and there are separate concessions for popcorn, cotton candy, and sodas, plus a raffle with donated prizes. The AV Company in Charlottesville brings in a rentable 16- by 9-foot screen and sets it up along with big speakers and globe lights, and of course we need to bring electricity down to the field and provide lighting when it gets dark.”
Fortunately for Ratan, the beloved event that people look forward to every year inspires offers of assistance. “It runs on a ton of volunteer help, really,” she said. “The Henley eighth graders have to do civics hours in the community, and this is one of their favorite opportunities, especially the ones that went to Murray. They filled up the sign-up sheet immediately.”
One of her chief goals was that all Murray students be involved in selecting the movie. “It has to be both appropriate for and appealing to kindergarten through 5th grade kids, and the right length,” she said. “We solicit ideas from all the students and narrow it down to four choices, then let the kids vote by ballot, so they got to be part of the whole process.”
