Leader Publications

Students at Southside School in Niles put down the books and picked up a basketball on the last day of class Wednesday.

Since 2005, Southside has been holding Rumble for Rempala on the last day of school in memory of Southside teacher and Special Olympics basketball coach Tim Rempala, who died in 2004.

Southside graduate Elroi Serunjogi takes a shot during Southside School’s annual Rumble for Rempala basketball tournament Wednesday. Daily Star photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Students teamed up to compete in short basketball games to determine which team would face the teachers in a winner-take-all game.

Rempala took many Southside teams to the state tournament and was known for saying,  “Can’t say can’t, won’t say won’t, so you will, won’t you?”

Wednesday was also the final day of classes for all students in Niles Community Schools. Each school held its own celebration.

At Eastside Connections, students played tug of war, jumped in an inflatable bounce house and watched teachers fall into a dunk tank.

Third-grader Parker Lyden, left, pulls in vain against Dylan Murphy and his team during a tug-of-war contest on the final day of classes for Eastside Connections School Wednesday. Daily Star photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Ballard Elementary students were treated to a science and magic show by Freddy Fusion, a regular performer on Disney cruise ships. Ballard students also got to have fun on several inflatable structures set up in front of the school.