Well it is almost here. That glorious date November 1 when we can all catch our breath, if only for a week before launching headfirst into “holiday season” (what has this been?)
Halloween is a special time for us. Most of these traditions were initiated by Ms. Welch, the school founder and Mr. Danny’s mom. As most of you know, she taught for years in the Salem Public Schools before founding the school. She pioneered the whole Halloween Parade tradition back around 1970, leading her charges through all the classrooms and hallways at Horace Mann singing “Who Will March Along…?” This was years before Salem became the Halloween Capital it is today; later almost every school in the district would follow suit.
The school year so far has been remarkable for an unprecedented explosion of art, even among all the other academics. Ms. Julia said recently that these kids have done more art in this season than any other class has in an entire year. The outpouring of creativity and sheer labor is impressive. And this time around, much of it is visible to the 25,000 vehicles who pass by the school on 1A every day (or in this case, night). It really is wonderful to see the school lit up like never before.
Making the spider’s nest was the highlight of the week. Kids had a blast. Still not completely content with the lighting.. but I don’t want to get caught in the web! Charlotte will have to wait–it will need fixing after all this rain anyway…
More lights, more detail. Plus the spider nest. Charlotte’s Magnum Opus. Gotta see it at night. Great welcome to Salem for those coming into Salem up 1A. Kids are doing a great job.
All lit up.. or getting there… Still a bit more detail to add, tighten up lighting etc but still cool. Kids were dying for a night time pic.
From the painted pumpkins to the sculptures involved to the posters to the aliens driving the car to the lights, the whole school has been intimately involved in every step of the process. It is hard to grasp the awe of watching it come together and seeing all work as one. Breathtaking… and exhausting, of course.
