Dames Ferry Elementary School held its trunk-or-treat event and Not So Spooky Saxon event Oct. 31 to show Halloween spirit and help students with reading.
Gracie Cummings, first grade teacher and grade face liaison at DFE, said she was excited for both events. She said the students really enjoyed their Halloween at school.
“We did a Title 1 event for kindergarten and first grade called Not So Spooky Saxon, which is our phonics program,” she said. “We just taught parents how they could help teach their child reading at home, because it’s very different from how it was when they learned. Afterward we had our trunk-or-treat event.”
She said kindergarten and first grade is a crucial time to learn how to read, and the new program they were showing parents taught the science behind reading. She said as for trunk-or-treat, they were hoping to have the event outside, and luckily the rain held off so they could.
“This trunk-or-treat was actually our first event back to normal, and it’s important for us to have the parents back at Dames Ferry. It’s also important for our students to do something fun and different. They get to see their parents are involved in what they do at school,” Cummings said.
First-grade student Rayleigh Musselman said she was excited about Halloween and was ready for the trunk-or-treat. She said last year her class wasn’t able to do the event due to COVID-19, and she was ready for the experience. She said she was dressed as winter Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
“Halloween is probably my favorite holiday. I can scare my brother all the time, and I love getting candy,” Musselman said. “I also love giving candy out to my friends. I was excited to play outside in my costume.”
The teacher said her favorite thing about the events of the day was being able to present information about reading. She said she has a big passion for reading. She said the program helps students retain information.
“Students can really see a difference with the phonics we teach them, so I’m glad parents came out to the Not So Spooky Saxon event to help them even more. Students are really learning how to read. The students loved the trunk-ortreat, too. It was all they were able to talk about, because they had been waiting a long time for it.,” Cummings said.
Micah Clifford, a kindergarten student, said the trunk-or-treat was important, because it meant everyone received candy. He said he had a lot of fun at the trunkor- treat, and he really enjoys Halloween.
“My mom signed up to do a trunk, and my sister dressed up as Elsa. She helped pass out candy. I was excited, because I was able to get lots of candy with my friends. I dressed as Ty from Dude Perfect for Halloween, because it’s my favorite show,” the student said.
Cummings said the students were excited to wear their Halloween costumes at school, and she said she got to see a lot of different characters throughout the trunk-or-treat. She said the students had a great time.
“My favorite thing about the trunk-or treat was just seeing the parents. As teachers we usually come up with the ideas, but we let families decorate the trunks,” she said. “I was excited to see all the creativity of the trunks and see the kid’s faces. They were so excited.”
