Kids In Newtown Schools Scare Up Halloween Fun

By Larissa Lytwyn

Princesses, cartoon characters, ghouls and ghosts ruled Newtown schools this past Friday in celebration of Halloween.

Sandy Hook Elementary School’s kindergarteners held their annual costume parade in the school courtyard. Family members and friends formed an eager crowd, snapping pictures and commenting on the variety of get-ups.

Heidi Fellows of Dallas, Texas, said she had come to Newtown, her old hometown, to visit friends during the past few weeks.

“I went through Newtown schools,” she said, “including Sandy Hook school!”

Ms Fellows said she “wouldn’t miss the costume parade for the world” for the opportunity to see kindergartner Jordan Fredericks march. Jordan was dressed as a martial arts warrior.

“He’s a great little boy,” Ms Fredericks said. “And his parents are wonderful people.”

Jeanne Flynn, mother of kindergartener Patrick Flynn, said her son wanted nothing more than to be a firefighter this year. “He’s really gotten into [firefighting],” Ms Flynn said. “He just loves it.”

Laughing, she noted, “I even asked him [a few days ago] if he was still sure he wanted to be [a firefighter], and he said yes. He wouldn’t dream of being anything else!”

After circling the courtyard several times, showing off their costumes, the children assembled to sing a number of Halloween-themed songs, including “Halloween Hat.”

The fun continued at Middle Gate Elementary School, in which children schoolwide were given the opportunity to dress up.

Several classes held parties featuring a number of games and activities, including “Hanging Doughnut,” in which children ate sugared donuts suspended from string — using their hands was not allowed!

Meanwhile, at Hawley, costumed kindergarteners paraded through the classrooms of their first grade peers.

After displaying their costumes, from superheroes like Batman and Spider-Man to animals including a giraffe and cat, the children enjoyed candy and other treats in classroom parties.

Though classroom time was not compromised for Halloween parties, Head O’ Meadow Elementary School students and their families took the opportunity to show off their costumes and socialize at the school’s special Halloween party later that night, the evening of the final school day before Halloween.

Finally, at Reed Intermediate School, both students and teachers celebrated the upcoming holiday with “Wacky Friday.” Students came to school dressed in elaborate outfits, from clashing day-glo tops and pants to funky hairstyles and accessories.

Teachers and administrators, including assistant principal Tony Salvatore, also debuted some unique ensembles, from multicolored vests to mismatched socks.

It was, no doubt, an unforgettable day for Newtown public schools on the day before Halloween eve.