School trunk-ortreat adds fun, candy

General Johnnie Wilson Middle School, 2700 Washington Ave. in Lorain, was booming with music, quirky costumes, treats and wholesome Halloween fun.

During Washington Elementary School’s first combined family literacy night and Halloween parade event at the middle school parking lot, students and parents were invited to trick-or-treat from the trunks of cars of teachers, to enjoy pre-packaged snacks and receive familyfun reading activities.

About 75 children from grades pre-K to five registered for the event and were introduced to the teachers in waves.

“We decided to mold the events together due to the pandemic,” said Supriya Culliton, principal of Washington Elementary School. “Every year, we have four family literacy nights and encourage families to pick up packets to engage with their kids and do activities to engage with them.”

With all of the school’s students learning remotely, Culliton said she and staff miss the youngsters now more than ever.

She said she and staff have found a way to safely interact with students inperson.

“On Wednesdays, we walk through some of the neighborhoods around

the school and say, ‘ hi,’ to the families from their yards,” Culliton said.

During the walks, she said families wave and children shout to their teachers as they make their rounds.

“We just miss them so much,” Culliton said.

During the event, children received candy and other goodies.

School secretary Willa Szafran said it was wonderful to see the children dressed in their costumes.

“They really miss us, and

we miss them,” Szafran said. “Parents are so excited to see us when we walk by; it’s going to be great to see them.”

Brenda Driver, treasurer for the school’s parent teacher organization, said she was excited to help with the event.

“We’re putting out prepackaged snacks, including juice boxes, pretzels and other wrapped treats,” Driver said.

The PTO was striving to include themselves in more activities, she said.

“We’re trying to be more active and be more well known in the school,” Driver said.

Teachers dressed up in costumes and smiled as children excitedly bounced from car to car, beaming with excitement as they received treats and showed off their outfits.

“We see them on a limited basis with minimal interaction unless there’s a tech issue,” Culliton said. “So, we wanted to bring them a bit of joy during this time.”

LYRIC AQUINO — THE MORNING JOURNAL Washington Elementary School children receive packets and candy from Principal, Supriya Culliton, left and assistant principal Donna Keenan at General Johnnie E. Wilson Middle School parking lot in Lorain.

LYRIC AQUINO — THE MORNING JOURNAL Children line up to receive to go bags with family fun literacy activities Oct. 28 with the parade into the General Johnnie Wilson parking lot for trunk-or-treat.