For years Maurice Hawk elementary school students and staff have gotten dressed up in costumes and walked around the outside of the school in a fun and festive Halloween parade. Many parents came to watch the parade and take pictures of their little princesses and superheroes. Then the children would head inside to attend their Halloween class parties. A wasted day academically? Perhaps. But a day that makes lasting memories for kids and parents alike? Definitely.
Now, however, the Maurice Hawk parade itself is destined to become merely a memory. This year there will be no Halloween parade either outside or inside the school. Instead, on October 31 the students will attend an indoor non-Halloween specific assembly, and teachers will have the option of having special activities in their classrooms. The kindergarten classes will enjoy a fall festival on Wednesday, October 30.
As an alternative, on Saturday, October 26, from 1 to 3 p.m., the Maurice Hawk Parent Teacher Association (PTA) will host a Halloween parade and children’s concert. This will take place on the Hawk playground, which is behind the school, and parents must attend with their children. The program is “sunshine-only,” and costs $2 per person.
Other WW-P district elementary schools will be hosting Halloween events, including parades. Why Maurice Hawk decided to curtail its Halloween activities so significantly this year is unclear. Likely legitimate security concerns played some part in the decision, but Maurice Hawk Principal Denise Mengani declined to comment. The school district also declined to provide an explanation for the decision, but instead issued this statement:
“As we approach the end of October, WW-P students have a chance to ‘celebrate’ Halloween in a variety of in-school and out-of-school activities. As with many activities, parents can ‘opt out’ if they do not want their children to participate in these Halloween festivities.”
Halloween Events
The district statement pointed out that many Halloween-related events are planned for all students, including the following (some of which are not open to the public):
Halloween Family Concert, Sunday, October 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the High School North Theater.
High School North National Honor Society, “Trunk or Treat” on Monday, October 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the North parking lot.
High School North, “Boo” Grahams are being sold between October 24 and 31 by the North Class of 2015.
Grover Middle School, Halloween Dance on Friday, October 25.
Community Middle School, Halloween Dance on Friday, November 1.
Millstone River School, Harvest Parade on Thursday, October 31, along with individual classroom events.
Village School, Howliday Bingo on Thursday, October 31, as well as some homeroom class activities and parties.
Dutch Neck Elementary School, Halloween Celebration and Parade on Thursday, October 31; individual classroom parties. Also, Halloween Bingo on Friday, October 25.
Maurice Hawk Elementary School, PTA-sponsored Parade and Mr. Ray Concert on Saturday, October 26 — a fundraiser for the PTA. Only students who register ahead of time for this event may attend; parents can register at https://tinyurl.com/HalloweenMH or E-mail HawkHalloween@gmail.com.
Town Center Elementary School, Masquerade Ball, Friday, October 25. Also Town Center Fall Fest on Thursday, October 31.
Wicoff Elementary School, Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 31.
