Cow bells, whistles and maracas startled students during A Period this morning as Student Council members ran through the halls announcing Congé, a Sacred Heart tradition of surprising students with fun activities in lieu of classes.

Buses shuttled students and faculty to Bladium Sports Club in Alameda, CA for a day of obstacle course racing, flag football, soccer, Nerf guns, basketball, rock climbing, cards and giant Connect Four.

“There was so much stuff to do, and everyone seemed like they were having a really great time,” junior Delaney Tobin said.

Student Life Director Devin DeMartini Cooke says that student council members came up with the idea quickly in the beginning of the year.

“[Bladium] was a really nice place to bring students because there’s so many different activities,” DeMartini Cooke said. “It’s kind of an ideal location where you don’t feel like you’re on top of each other, but you’re also all in one place.”

This year marked the third year in a row of coed Congé, with previous occasions including a trip to Six Flags and another with bowling and field games in the Presidio.

“Coed [Congé] is fun because it’s fun to socialize with the boys,” freshman Nina Sanchez said.

Congé offers students a much needed time to enjoy out of the classroom, according to Tobin.

“It’s really important to have a day where all the kids can just relax and have fun,” Tobin said. “Without it, there’d be nothing to look forward to where you could see everyone in the whole school and have fun together.”