Who said you can’t have fun and learn at the same time? Judging by the smiles on their faces, students at Ashland’s Henry Clay and John M. Gandy elementary schools are dispelling that long-held belief.

The two schools held their annual curriculum night last week, but decided to add some flair to this year’s event with a variety of hands-on activities for the grades K through 5 kids.

“We try to get the schools together for a fun night once a year,” Henry Clay principal Teresa Keck said.

The two adjacent schools are in somewhat of a unique situation in that all other elementaries in Hanover County serve K through 5 students. In Ashland, K through two students go to Henry Clay while third, fourth and fifth graders attend Gandy.

The theme of this year’s event was “Once Upon a School”, an evening of magic and fun featuring storytellers, physical activities and other fun and educational activities.

“The kids get to dress up and we’re going to give them crowns when they come in,” Keck said. “They get to play some PE games and go to the technology labs as well as other activities,” she added. There also were stations for mathematics and reading.

Keck said the curriculum night serves as an introduction for Clay students to get the feel of their next campus. “We think it makes the transition much easier for them when they feel comfortable. It takes some of the anxiety out of changing schools,” she said.

The younger students feel the natural exhilaration associated with a new and bigger campus, Keck sad. “The Henry Clay children are so excited just to come over and see the big school with a big campus,” she said.

While one group headed for story time, another took off for the library for math activities; another headed for the gym for some cart relay races. “We wanted to make it fun for everyone tonight,” Keck said.

“We want family involvement and this is a good way to accomplish that,” she added.

Keck said combining educational activities in a fun environment means the campuses are better connected and families feel a sense of community. “We want to form these relationships and this was a fun and educational way to do that.”

Gandy principal Leigh Finch said the joint effort works well for both campuses. “The two schools get together each year but we wanted to make it more than just reading and math,” Finch said.

Students entered the gym through a reception of teachers in costume to the fairy tale ball, and then proceeded to the varying stations for different activities. Adding a bit of a royal flavor the event, trumpeters from Lee-Davis High School greeted each group with an announcing blast of brass.

“We really appreciate them sending some of their band members over to participate,” Finch said.

She said since the two schools share so much in common, it’s logical to combine activities for curriculum night. “We have the same families and the same challenges and strengths so we’re just trying to make this a community type setting.”