HALLOWEEN UPDATE

Whittier School's ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARADE is Tuesday, October 31, 2017. All students will eat lunch and have recess during their regularly scheduled times. If you would like to take your child home to change, then please pick him/her up in the main office promptly at 11:10am. Students at school will change into their costumes at 12:15pm. Students should not wear costumes or makeup to school at the start of the day unless they are part of the morning Early Childhood classes. The children's costumes MAY NOT INCLUDE ANY TYPE OF WEAPON (guns, swords, knives, bows and arrows, etc.). "Play" and/or real weapons are never brought to school. Costumes may not be ones that would frighten small children or the principal. Families choosing not to participate in the school Halloween activities may register their child to attend the “alternative program” in the Whittier Library from 12:15 am to 2:55 pm on the day of the parade. Children must be registered as a participant in these alternative activities by the end of the school day on October 25. The registration form may be obtained in the digital backpack or the school office. The Halloween parade route will proceed north on Harvey to Thomas, west on Thomas to Ridgeland, south on Ridgeland to Augusta, and east on Augusta to the school playground. (Spectators are welcome, please come and join us.) In case of rain, we will hold the parade inside.

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

The 73rd annual Whittier Pumpkin Festival kicks-off on October 26 with a display of the marvelous pumpkin

creations of our families. Everyone who enters will receive a participant’s ribbon, and prizes are awarded in age group and family categories. We hope you can stop by the lobby sometime during this festive time to enjoy these wonderful Halloween creations!

Whittier School’s 73rd Annual Pumpkin Festival!

October 26th

and 27th

2017

The Whittier Pumpkin Festival is a longtime tradition at Whittier

School. Dr. Carl Albertson, a former Whittier principal, who loved Halloween, started it many years ago. This year we celebrate the 73rd Annual Pumpkin Festival!

The Pumpkin Festival is a celebration of real (not plastic) pumpkin carving and decorating. Each year, individual children and families are invited to enter a pumpkin in this exciting competition. The pumpkins can be carved, decorated, dressed, painted, etc. Be creative!

The Pumpkin Festival committee will register the pumpkins before school on the 26th and 27th in the front lobby. The pumpkins will be entered under one of four categories and then judged by Whittier staff on the 27th. All participants will receive a ribbon and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category will receive a trophy. THE PUMPKINS NEED TO BE PICKED UP AFTER SCHOOL ON THE 27th. Any pumpkins not picked up will be disposed of at 6:00pm on the 27th. There will be NO pumpkins on display on Halloween!

We hope that many Whittier families will join in to make this year’s Pumpkin Festival another success in a long-standing tradition! Please contact Heidi Gawne (hgawne@op97.org) or Laurie Conley (lconley@op97.org) if you have any questions!

Whittier Students who would prefer not to participate in the Halloween Parade

and classroom parties are invited to an Autumn Afternoon in the Whittier Library.

Mrs. Conley and Ms. Small will meet students in the library for an afternoon of

crafts and autumn activities. Depending on weather, we will also take a field trip

to Anderson Park. There is no charge for this trip. If you would like your student

to participate in this Halloween alternative, please return the following

permission slip to your student’s classroom teacher by October 25.

Permission Slip

I give permission for my child (children) __________________________________

to participate in the Autumn Afternoon on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 with Mrs.

Conley and Ms. Small. I understand that my student(s) may go to Anderson Park

and that they will walk.

Signed _________________________________________ Date _____________

Student grade ______ Student Classroom teacher _________________________

©General Mills

Thank you for helping! Clipped Box Tops are each worth 10¢ for your child’s school. Bonus certificates should not be attached to this sheet – please submit them separately. To see more ways to earn cash for your child’s school, go to BTFE.com. See more collection sheets at BTFE.com/collectionsheets.

WHITTIER FUNDRAISER/GTB HOLIDAY SAVINGS

CARD

RAISE FUNDS FOR WHITTIER PTO AND

SAVE CASH IN YOUR POCKET!!

Whittier PTO is happy to partner with Geppetto’s Toy Box (GTB) in this amazing

fundraising opportunity! Whittier PTO is selling the GTB Holiday Savings Card for just $5

and all of the proceeds from the sale of the Card goes to the Whittier PTO!!

When you present the GTB Holiday Savings Card at Geppetto’s Toy Box (730 Lake St.,

Oak Park) between November 21-28, 2017 (Tuesday-Tuesday), you’ll get 20% off all in-

stock purchases! You may visit as many times as you’d like during that 8-day period but

you must present the card at the time of purchase to be eligible for the discount.

There are 3 ways to purchase your GTB Holiday Savings Card.

• Fill out this order form, turn it into the Whittier office with a check (payable to Whittier

PTO) or cash and your Card will be delivered to your child’s classroom within 48 hours.

• Purchase the Card directly from Stephanie Thomas who will be selling them on the

playground/blacktop before and after school (weather permitting).

• Purchase the Card at the Scholastic Book Fair in the Whittier Auditorium during the

days of the parent-teacher conferences from October 18th – 20th.

Remember, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the GTB Holiday Savings Card goes

directly to the Whittier PTO (so we discourage sharing cards)!! Support our school and

have fun shopping at Geppetto’s Toy Box!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(please print legibly)

Child’s Name: ________________________________________

Grade: ___________ Teacher: ___________________________