Throughout the woods of the Virginia Beach Adventure Park , one could the laughter, the cheers and the words of encouragement from the Kingston Elementary staff. On the first day of the teacher work week, staff members were harnessed up and took to the trees at the Adventure Park

“I have never done anything in my life like this.” second-grade teacher Julie Kelley said.

Principal Dr. Sharon Shewbridge planned and executed this teambuilding event for the staff.

“Our relationships are critical,” Shewbridge said. “Developing those student relationships before any learning can take place continues to be the key to our success. We are all trying something new today, and we will overcome any uncertainties we have through our support of one another.”

Co-owner of the Adventure Park and former Kingston parent, Kema Geroux, lead the staff in team building activities. The staff participated in cooperative learning activities that many found to be easily applied in their classrooms as well.

“I am going to use the name activities during the first few weeks of school to establish procedures.” Kindergarten teacher Kim Ellis explained.