The Greatest Show in School

National Circus Project’s Peter St raus s works wi th 3rd grader Michael Henshaw on the art of plate spinning. ERIC GROSS The circus came to North Salem!

Children residing in Carmel, Southeast, Croton Falls, and North Salem enrolled at the Pequenakonck Elementary School had a special treat last week when members of the National Circus Project visited the school, followed by hands-on workshops that taught coordination, perseverance, and balance.

National Circus Project manager Peter Strauss called the self-motivating and non-competitive activities “great for those who don’t excel at team sports. Kids learn juggling, plate spinning, juggling sticks, and the art of tossing in a non-threatening and funfilled atmosphere.”

The program also stressed history since diabolo tossing was traced to China, while plate spinning goes back to India, and drawings of devil sticks exist on cave walls in Egypt.

Children loved the activities. Michael Henshaw of Southeast called the circus unit “a ton of fun,” adding “we had even more fun than in gym.”