Poland students continue holiday tradition

By JORDYN GRZELEWSKI

jgrzelewski@vindy.com

POLAND

Like many 4-year-olds, Travis Walker’s interests can change at lightning speed.

For now, however, he’s fixated on dinosaurs.

That’s why on Wednesday Travis donned a dinosaur costume, made for him by his grandmother, for a Halloween parade at Poland’s preschool in the former North Elementary building.

“He wanted to be a stegosaurus,” explained his mother, Gretchen, who was among the crowd of family members eagerly snapping pictures at the event.

Travis appeared to be the only dinosaur among his classmates. A favorite costume seemed to be superheroes – especially Ironman and Batman. Princesses, a pig, a recreation of a Twister game board and a firefighter dog were among some of the other costumes.

Throughout the week, the 60-plus children in the preschool program wore costumes to school, performed songs and put on a parade for family members. It’s a Poland tradition, school officials said.

“This preschool has been around for 28 years, and we do this every year,” said secretary Linda DeLost. “[The kids] have a good time, and then the parents are very generous – they bring in treats, and the kids have a party all day.”

Preschoolers also got to participate in a Halloween-themed science fair later Wednesday.

“The kids get excited to get dressed up

themselves, but I think it adds a whole new layer when they see their classmates, who are their new friends, dressed up too,” said Michael Masucci, Union Elementary principal and head of the preschool program.

Elsewhere in the school district, elementary students also have been participating in Halloween festivities.

Masucci said Halloween programming presented some challenges this year, in light of the district realignment that went into effect at the start of the school year.

Students now are grouped at schools based on grade level rather than neighborhood, meaning a larger number of parents have to manage schedules for children at different school buildings.

“It’s always challenging to get these things organized. There are a lot of extra challenges this year,” Masucci said. “The nice thing is, the kids don’t care. ... As long as they get to dress up, they’re happy.”

The school district’s Halloween festivities will continue at 1 p.m. today with a parade, which family members are invited to attend, for K-4th grade students at Dave Pavlansky field.