By Misty DUPLESSIS

Valley View Elementary School families were in for a treat on Friday afternoon when they gathered to enjoy their annual back to school celebration on the school grounds.

The Fall Family Picnic, hosted by the Valley View Education Foundation, was a social highlight that brought families together for a night of fun games and good food.

Due to the heat, attendance was not as high as usual, but PTA President Goethals was happy to see families who were there enjoying themselves.

“With the heat driving some [attendees] away, what we lacked in numbers we made up in spirit,” said Goethals of the families that came out to support the event.

Families had the opportunity to purchase $5 dinners and kids participated in a grade level jump rope contest and Hula-Hoop games.

The sixth grade class held a bake sale with the majority of goods being homemade that benefited their graduating class trip to Catalina Island.

Although sixth grader Sara Schulze has been to Catalina, she is excited about visiting the island with friends for the nearly week- long journey.

One of the evening’s special surprises included a guest visit from former Valley View Principal Carla Walker and third grade teacher Karla Bringas.

The Korean Parent Association hosted its annual Parking Lot Sale, held each year concurrently with the family picnic.

KPA President Lydia Park said that the organization’s focus is to bring cultural awareness to the school.

“[The goal is to] share our culture with different families and to interact with others,” said Park adding that the main reason for the organization is to bring more Korean families into school so that they could get to know other people in the area.

The money raised during the parking lot sale is dedicated to supporting the school and bringing the annual Lunar assembly to Valley View when outside performers come to the campus and demonstrate cultural traditions.

  MISTY DUPLESSIS