- February 13, 2025
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Science teacher Schelly Shaughnessy, dressed as Ms. Frizzle, talks with sixth graders Angela Martinez and Allison Hammer.
Photo by Ian SwabyScience teacher Schelly Shaughnessy, dressed as Ms. Frizzle, and sixth grader Eli Jones
Photo by Ian SwabySeventh Grader Kyson Chapman crosses the finish line of the Turkey Trot, placing second in his age group.
Photo by Ian SwabySeventh grader Jimena Gonzalez does the cakewalk.
Photo by Ian SwabyMatheson Lovell, 5, meets the pony Little Joe.
Photo by Ian SwabyCandy apples were a feature of the fall festival.
Photo by Ian SwabyKen Freeman, board chair of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties, and McIntosh Middle School Principal McHenry Lerebours
Photo by Ian SwabyElla Rosaire, 16, helped represent Big Cat Habitat at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabySarasota High School juniors Alanah Lytle and Kieran Clarke, and McIntosh Middle School teacher Mark Prybylski provided balloons.
Photo by Ian SwabyFourth grader Harlowe Dean and second grader Henton Dean meet Blue the rabbit.
Photo by Ian SwabyEighth graders Wilmay Martinez and Dylan Sutterfield try the mummy wrap.
Photo by Ian SwabySixth graders Ally Shields and Emily Selfridge meet a goose with the help of seventh grader and 4-H student Raelynn Bontrager.
Photo by Ian SwabySeventh graders Naovet Alvarez, José Arambarrio, Fabio Escalona and Yandy Acosta play a round of putt-putt.
Photo by Ian SwabyMcIntosh Middle School principal McHenry Lerebours plays the Egg and Spoon Race.
Photo by Ian SwabyFifth grader Taylor Johnson looks over the crochet items on display.
Photo by Ian SwabyFifth grader Brody Peters 5th grade and ninth grader Brooklyn Peters applaud as the Turkey Trot is officiated.
Photo by Ian SwabyNoble Molineaux, 8, and Nyla Molineaux, 6, hold Brownie the chicken.
Photo by Ian SwabyDuring the first year of the McIntosh Middle School Fall Festival, over 400 families attended, said Principal McHenry Lerebours.
This year, as the festival began on Nov. 15, he said the school was hoping for even more attendees at the event, which is a showcase of the school's offerings and a fundraiser for staff and students.
The event showcased departments of the school including its agricultural programs and its HAWKS Academy for Gifted and Advanced Studies, as well as vendors and business partners, and began with a Turkey Trot race through the woods.
Seventh grader Raelynn Bontrager, who is involved in 4-H and Youth Leaders in Production Agriculture, said the fesitval was an opportunity to showcase her lifelong passion for agriculture.
"People who come to these things don't typically get to have a weekly encounter with animals, so I like this because animals can get used to people. People get to meet animals," she said.
The event was created as part of the district's strategic plan, which includes the goal of increasing parent engagement and family involvement.
"As a school, we believe that one of the three pillars for student success is parent engagement, parent involvement," Lerebours said. "Of course, academic achievement is important, and then school culture, so all of that connected together helps us grow as a school community."