Ayers Elementary hosts trunk or treat in Martins Ferry
MARTINS FERRY — Children dressed up as Spider-Man, a Dallas Cowboy and a witch walked were treated to some holiday fun on Wednesday at Anna Marie Ayers Elementary School.
Students, other community children and parents lined up at the school to attend a trunk or treat event where they could get candy and goodies. Parents and staff members were ready with their decorated trunks to hand out sweets to children for the annual trunk while the administration oversaw the activities.
Ayers Elementary school faculty started putting on a trunk or treat 12 years ago to give students a place to go to celebrate Halloween in a controlled environment.
“It’s a great event, and we have beautiful weather today which makes it even better,” Superintendent Jim Fogle said. “It’s nice to see that our kids are having a good time and are dressed in their costumes.”
Fogle said there was a lot of parent participation, decorating trunks and giving out candy.
He said the school can’t thank the parents enough because they always go above and beyond, which is much appreciated.
Fogle said seeing the children in their costumes smiling and happy is something that made him excited about the trunk or treat, which is “what it’s all about.” He said this makes the school staff feel proud to be able to put the trunk or treat on for the community.
Fogle noted the school district does whatever it can for students and believes in a holistic approach to education, and the trunk or treat fits that theme.
Getting everyone, including parents and children, out to the school for the trunk or treat is what Principal Nick Stankovich was excited about.
“It’s neat seeing everyone come up here and have a good time, get some candy and just get the people out and see our kids in a different environment than just a normal school setting.” he said.
He noted that every year faculty members dedicate time to this, and a trunk or treat wouldn’t happen without the people who help.
The event has gotten bigger over the years, and it’s something the school looks forward to doing, Stankovich said. He wants children to have fun and be happy with their families spending an evening out together.
Putting the paper and pencil down, being outside of the learning environment and being in a more social environment is good for the children, Stankovich added.
“We try to make things as fun as we can while we’re learning. We ask them every day, ‘Why are you here?’ To learn? Well put that aside today and come up,” he said. “We have some kids swinging on the swings, they are playing football out front, playing tag and collecting candy,
which you get to do on Halloween. But it gives them extra time to do it up here outside on the playground in a school setting, but not the typical school setting. I think it’s exciting for them.”