Parents of students at Brookswood Secondary surprised their kids on Friday (Dec. 1) with a flash mob in front of the school.
About 10 people gathered across from the student parking lot and broke out their best moves while Tom Jones’ It’s Not Unusual (the Carlton), the Chicken Dance and Bust A Move blasted from the PA System.
“With everything negative that’s been happening in Langley, and Brookswood in general, I think it’s good to bring the community out to have a good time, and laugh and dance and show the kids it could be worse,” said Dawn Ritchot, organizer of the event.
Ritchot, who has a son in Grade 9 at the school, rallied the parents by posting the idea on the Brookswood Community Facebook page. She asked if other parents wanted to have a good laugh and spread some holiday cheer, especially after the stressful code red lockdown that happened at the school on Nov. 22.
READ MORE: Brookswood Secondary lockdown lifted (with video)
“Everyday this week my son and I have been having a conversation about how my music is too loud and I bebop while I’m waiting (only to good songs). So I’m thinking it might be a good time to have some fun, considering all the crap going on in this community lately,” she wrote on Facebook.
“We all need a good laugh and I’m thinking instead of sitting in our cars, we all get out, stand together and do the Carlton (as the kids are billowing out of course).”
That post received 163 likes and more than 300 comments — and despite only 10 of those people coming out to dance — the parents still felt they made a difference. Many also brought non-perishable food items and unwrapped toys to contribute to the school’s Christmas fundraising efforts.
One participant, Vicky O’Connor, doesn’t have any children at Brookswood Secondary, but after seeing the Facebook post she wanted to show her support.
“I came from an abusive home, and these parents obviously love their kids, and I think people like that need support,” she said.
“I didn’t have to come, I don’t even live right here. But what they’re doing is wonderful, and I wanted to stand up and be counted as being in support of it.”