Ghosts, Goblins…and Snowflakes!
Last Updated on Sunday, 06 November 2011 21:55 Written by Alison Gardy; Photos by Eniko Horvath
Snow-capped orange and black balloons greeted determined Halloween Hoppers sloshing through freezing slush to seek refuge from the spooky winter storm in the relatively cozy Haunted House inside warm, dry PS 9. The Halloween Hop was a roaring success this year, showcasing classic PS 9 creativity and thoughtful attention to detail as well as the school's strong community partnerships with its stellar neighbors. Free admission this year meant no lines out the door but an easy escape from the cold to the treat-filled web of games, crafts and activities inside. That's not to say the Haunted House was in any way tame. Shrieks of delighted fright punctuated the festivities as wicked student "tour guides" lured fellow students to the "dark" side of the once-innocent Kindergarten corridor. That there was an option to take a "less scary" route through the haunted house showed sensitivity on the part of the amazing Halloween Hop planners to all PS 9 family members, big and small.
Friendly hospitality from PS 9 parent, student and alumni volunteers underscored the abundant food tables in the cafeteria, laden with delectable homemade treats made by devoted parent and student chefs as well as donations from about two dozen restaurants. Costumed children floated on fairy wings or flew by cape from one activity to the next: pumpkin decorating (complete with pumpkin patch "daycare" for drying pumpkins), candy necklaces (my children ate theirs as they strung them), manicures (not just colors, but also appliqués), beading, cupcake building, sand art, tattoos, face painting, caricatures by a parent artist--and that was just the cafeteria!
Let it be said: The absence of music in our acoustically delicate school created a relaxed ambiance in which the humming of happy activity could be heard, conversations could be had, and children could be calmed with whispers. The result: one of the most enjoyable party atmospheres I've experienced in our over-amplified world.
The variety of activities with broad appeal to children from pre-K to fifth grade spoke to the expert judgment of the Halloween Hop organizers and volunteers. Well-chosen, well-planned, and well-executed, the activities enabled children to enjoy literally hours of fun. Go Fish offered magnetic poles for older kids and nets for younger kids so all could have the satisfaction of getting a great catch of plastic sea life. The lollipop toss could be played in different ways depending on age and skill level. And where else but at the PS 9 Halloween Hop could you take a bouncy-house moon walk; play soccer with a Super Soccer Stars coach; hop along in a potato sack race; pet a live turtle, gecko, and constricting snake, expertly handled by Fauna; jam to music with the talented NY Kids Club staff; throw bean bags into monster mouths; take a family Halloween portrait with a professional from Portrait Bug; twist balloons, throw footballs...oh, and watch a magic show?
Underpinning the success of the event were community-building fundraising strategies such as booth family sponsorships, which sold out quickly; a Nickelodeon raffle prize that whetted appetites for the auctions to come; and recognition of all sponsors on the festive, colorful, well-designed program and map whose graphics and printing were also donated. The Halloween Hop celebrated the volunteer spirit and generosity of our school community. Thanks to the great level of participation, we raised a significant portion of the funds needed to pay the Department of Education for the assistant teachers who enhance our classrooms. The hot-selling cotton candy alone made a dent in our DOE payment! This vital event was as much about fundraising as it was about community building within our school and with our local partners.
True to form, PS 9 created not just great fun, but also an enjoyable learning experience for our children. For those who came, it was a wonderful way to spend a freaky day!
Halloween Hop Credits
Appreciation and thanks to everyone who participated in the planning, preparation and execution of Halloween Hop 2011.
Co-Chairs: Xiao-Xiao Wong, Lan Nguyen and Patty Holman
Volunteer Coordinators: Eniko Horvath and Lisa Tiger
Treasury: Nan Hawley, Suzy Kelly, and many others
Haunted Castle Dracula: Jeff Fontaine, David Stronger, Melissa Gillis and Linda Elling Lee, and our 5th Graders and their families
Witches' Lair: Diane Schierlitz, Karen Kitz-Clancy and Margaux Green, and 2nd grade families
Cafe: Henry Chin
Grill Masters: Chris Jackson and Tom Hapgood
Food Donation Coordinator: Diane Downs
Games and Crafts: Amy Kover, Kim Johnson, Rose Vella, Toni McNicoll, and Shelley Young
Clean-up: Chris Wagner and John Loreti
Sponsorship: Scot Steinberg and Gaelle Labissiere
Signage: Steve Zirinsky
Decor: Tali Etra
Decor Implementation: Jenn Lenn, Jennifer Bowles, Maren Waxenberg, and many others
40 6th and 7th and 10th Grade Alumni Volunteers
Twisted balloon Art: Garrett
Recycling and Green Advice: Tara Maurice
Caricatures: Van Tran
More than 120 parents helping with setup, and more than 150 parent shift volunteers
Corporate Sponsors and Donors, in alphabetical order: Alachi Masala, Amsterdam Diner, Balloon By Garrett, Balloon Kings, Bistro Citron, Bread Alone Bakery, Caesar's Palace Pizza, Chirping Chicken, City Connections, Cotta, Equinox Fitness, Fauna, Firehouse, Flor De Mayo, G-Free NYC, Harriet's Kitchen, HSBC, Magnolia Bakery, New York Kids Club, Nonna, Planet Sushi, Polarn O. Pyret, Portrait Bug, Pretzel Crisps, Primo Pizza, Snikddy, Sol Y Sombra, Soup Stop, Spring Lake Day Camp (Mitchell and Michelle Kessler), Starbucks, State Farm Insurance, Super Soccer Stars, Soul Cycle, Tale Thai Cuisine, Tarallucci e Vino, Uno Chicago Grill, Wat-aah. Please thank our corporate sponsors by stopping by and supporting their businesses.
Family Sponsors, in alphabetical order: Drexler, Drury, Etra, Kelly, Maniatis, Mitchneck, Smolowitz, Tselioudis, Wyndowe, Zelnick and Zirinsky
