Posted on October 29, 2022
by Dr. Edna Hussey on October 29, 2022
As I was leading the students in the costume parade to the Atheron lot where several office departments set up tables of Halloween treats, I glanced behind me to see the scores of children and parents behind me. A memory flashed in seconds. Over two decades ago, I was leading a much smaller group of students in Halloween costume from Epiphany School across Harding Avenue to Kaimuki District Park. How Spooktivity has grown to become a beloved tradition for students and parents!
The classroom teachers' blogs have captured wonderful images of activities leading to Spooktivity, from constructing 3-D cardboard pumpkins, tombstones, and skeletons to pumpkin carving with parents. I think "spooktacular" is an apt description for this holiday tradition. Costumes worn by the children and adults reveal something about their creative flare and perhaps hidden personality. Even Ms. Diane in an inflatable unicorn costume opening car doors in the morning autoline says something about what a fun character she is. Or the faculty and department teams who designed original costumes inspired by clever themes, such as skeletons, holidays, and Google programs. (photo courtesy of Scott Yoshinaga)
Under cloudy morning skies, the preschoolers and their parents joined me for our traditional Hokey Pokey dance, walked through Treat Street to collect their treats at stations along the way, and ended with a potluck brunch in the preschool.
My great joy was seeing the scores of parents dressed in costume who came to celebrate Spooktivity with their children! Parents, grandparents, and other family members just as excited as their children. There were other grand moments, in particular, the Ghostbusters dance by the entire K-5 elementary, led by music specialist Andrew Lenec. Or the office staff from different school departments (Institutional Advancement, IT and EdTech, Damon Hall, Admissions) who loaded up bags of treats for the children.
I think most amazing of all were the sunshine and blue skies that appeared just in time for the dance, costume parade, and Treat Street. In the evening drive at the turnaround to enjoy the campus decorations, the skies cleared from 5:30pm and at least to 8:00pm so that parents and children could walk about the turnaround. (photo by Scott Yoshinaga)
There are Wizards of Oz behind the magic curtain who made this comeback Spooktivity spooktacular, and we are deeply grateful for their careful, thoughtful planning and attention to detail. Treatbags of appreciation to co-chairs Jayme Sakai and Francesca Crouch who also handled all communications about Spooktivity. We are grateful to the committee of parent volunteers who went into classrooms to work with students on the decorative Halloween crafts displayed the dining room, who prepared the treat bags for Treat Street, set up the inflatable campus decorations (even through an afternoon downpour!), and took down displays. Thanks also to Gina Haverly who donated inflatables and trained a group of parents on how to set up the inflatables for future Spooktivities. Parents, thank you for your generous donations that filled lots of treat bags for every preschooler, elementary student, and other children who joined their siblings.
I hope the memories of Spooktivity revived on campus linger for you and the children. Even with the official Halloween on Monday, October 31st, the eerie glow of candle-lit carved pumpkins from Spooktivity might still capture the imagination. Happy Hallowed Eve!
E Kūlia Kākou! Letʻs strive and aspire together!
For our children,
Edna L. Hussey, Ed.D. aka Harry Potter
Principal
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