‘Collaborative’ elementary dance has biggest turnout

On Friday, Feb. 7, the Blue Point Elementary School PTA held their annual Valentine’s K.I.S.S. dance.

Created three years ago as a more inclusive experience for the students, the traditional father/daughter dance was changed to the “Kids invite someone special” event.

“We have kids who brought their babysitters, or cousins. It’s really about opening up the possibilities to the student,” said Antonia Sautter, who along with Christina Hodak, organized the dance.

With accommodations like a pre-dance warm-up where the event opens half an hour ahead of the scheduled opening time, students were able to experience the space with lights on and little to no music.

“It’s a warm-up to the idea of a dance,” said Sautter.

In addition, a quiet room, which was visited by nearly all the attending students at some point, was set up in an art space where fidget spinners, pop-its, and crayons and paper were provided.

“The room is a labyrinth,” said Sautter who has put tablecloths on lights to soft- en the lighting to a pink hue and remind everyone that the heavily supervised space is to remain quiet.

This year dozens of noise-cancelling headphones were provided for the students and every pair was utilized. “The good thing about having so many noise-cancelling headphones is that you blend in with the crowd. There isn’t a stigma behind it,” said Sautter.

Parents Jeremy Radino and Scott Loftus donated the popular photobooth and provide backdrops and beautiful lighting for the dance.

“The ambiance created by Jeremy and Scott really elevates the event and sets it apart because it looks and feels like a high school dance,” said Sautter.

Music includes popular tunes featured on YouTube shorts and for the largely elder millennial crowd of parents, “oldies” of their youth.

“So many parents bring so much to the table. The community aspect of this dance is amazing, everyone takes time out of the day to do this for us. It’s also great that the community is open to being different and give us feedback every year to be collaborative and generous,” said Sautter.