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If students at La Grange Highlands Middle School weren’t amped for the start of the school year, they should be now.

The middle school hosted 300 fifth- to eighth-grade students at a Back-to-School Bash Friday.

The event is sponsored by the Student Council and excitement about it spreads throughout the student body.

“They talk about it. There’s a buzz in the classrooms,” said Heidi Burtner, art teacher and Student Council sponsor.

The halls of the school and sports fields outside rang with shouts and laughter as students took part in a variety of games and other activities including a cake walk, bag toss, video games, kickball and a dance party with tunes.

For students who don’t enjoy a lot of noise, there also was a quiet room, Burtner said.

Logan Hiatt, a seventh-grader from Western Springs, pulled numbers for a cake walk.

“It’s good. I’m not playing. I’m helping,” Hiatt said.

“It’s a great way to get the kids pumped about the new school year,” said his mother, Lynne Hiatt, who was calling out the numbers.

“I think the music is nice,” said Peter LoSavio, a seventh-grader, as he munched on a piece of pizza.

Ali Beiermeister, director of teaching and learning, said the party is an ice breaker for students.

“It’s just kids getting together and building relationships,” she said. “They’re getting to know each other and having fun.”

Principal Mike Papierski acted as DJ. He was surrounded by a throng of students clamoring for him to play the newest hit songs. He hopes the excitement they displayed extends to their activities in the classroom.

“It’s about kicking off the school year in a positive way,” he said.

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