A just reward for the students in 5F

The students in 5F picked Mr. Tabisz to duct tape to the wall.

You have to wonder whether Mr. Tabisz knew how the day would turn out when he woke up in the morning.

Was he thinking about duct tape as he got ready for school? Did he wonder whether the sticky strips would cling to fleece? Did he question, even for a moment, whether the tape would hold?

Or did he just cross his fingers and hope against hope that the students would choose Mr. LeCrone (or someone, anyone) instead?

Teachers and staff members helped
with the duct-taping.

On Thursday, Mr. Tabisz’s fate was in the hands of the students of Mrs. Fitzgerald’s fifth-grade class.

In the fall, the kids of 5F earned the right to pick a staff member to duct tape to the gym wall by having the greatest participation in the wrapping paper/cookie dough/jewelry and gifts sale. A whopping 68 percent of the students sold items in the fundraiser, which generated more than $11,500 for the PTA to put toward programs, assemblies, events and purchases that benefit our children.

Mr. LeCrone adds a strip of tape
across Mr. Tabisz's mouth.

The moment of choice arrived Thursday afternoon when the Brookdale students gathered to watch “Toy Story 3” as a reward for earning nearly 10,000 Paws already this school year. And when the time came, they picked Mr. Tabisz.

Mr. Tabisz hangs on the wall with spent
duct tape rolls scattered on the floor.

The physical education teacher perched on a chair against the wall as 5F students and many eager (too eager?) faculty and staff members took turns running long strips of duct tape across his midsection. And just for fun, Mr. LeCrone stuck a bit of tape over Mr. Tabisz’ mouth.

The chair was pulled away … and … the tape held. Mr. Tabisz stuck to the wall.

After hanging gamely – and calling for help only a few times – Mr. Tabisz and his tape were peeled off the wall by sale organizers Debbie Snyder and Amy Hausman and a representative from sale vendor  Great American Online.

And proving he’s a good sport, Mr. Tabisz ran past the students while still wearing the many, many strips of duct tape, much to the delight of the kids. 

Thanks again to all the parents and students who participated in the sale, to Debbie and Amy for organizing, to the staff for supporting the effort and, especially, to Mr. Tabisz.

Photos by Amy Hausman