Six-year-old Stefan Lindahl wishes he had the help of a giant robot to save Spartan Village Elementary School from closing.
"We could make a big giant robot and have the robot pick up Spartan Village and move it, and put up a sign that says 'destroyed' to trick the guy who wants to close it," he said.
"We could move to where no one could find it."
After nearly 50 years of elementary education on MSU's campus, the international school, 1460 Middlevale Road, is set to close its doors next week. The school is made up of children from more than 30 countries around the world and from across the United States.
The East Lansing School Board voted to close the school in March, due to budget cuts - restructuring students throughout the six remaining East Lansing elementary schools.
Lindahl, a Spartan Village kindergartner, attended the school's annual Family Fun Carnival on Saturday, when he reminisced about his favorite days at school.
"I had fun today because I got to play ring-toss," he said, carefully gluing colorful shapes to a foam visor in the arts and crafts room.
The school's Parents' Council Organization holds the carnival every year featuring games, crafts, Chinese yo-yo performers, a magician, and a mini petting zoo. Parents and school employees volunteer to work booths, serve concessions and run a silent auction.
In light of the school closing, nearly 500 students, parents, family members and teachers enjoyed the carnival while playing games and running through the halls of the elementary school.
The cafeteria served more than average carnival concessions including pizza and popcorn. School lunch tables were full of international delicacies such as Japanese sushi, Egyptian Basbousa, Korean sweet rice cakes and Mandazi from Kenya.
Surrounded by children speaking different languages, 10-year-old Hope Doong, of Taiwan, said she would miss Spartan Village Elementary School and the friends she made there.
"The best thing is they don't have any discrimination because it might hurt other people's feelings," she said.
During her year at the school, Hope met children from China, Africa, Russia and Korea.
Spartan Village parent, Lynne Swanson, volunteered to help out at the school carnival because of her son's love for the international school.
"Its a great environment for kids to grow up in," she said. " He has learned things he probably would not learn at other East Lansing schools."
Proceeds from the carnival go to the Spartan Village Teacher Excellence award, given to one teacher each year who possesses the spirit of the school.
Sherry Martin, speech therapist at the school, proudly wearing a "Spartan Village Lives" shirt said there is something different and special about this year's carnival.
"The carnival is just a time to be together, one more time," she said.
