Marcus Avenue School Welcomes Fall and Halloween With Annual Festival
Students at the BCCS Marcus Avenue School celebrated fall with a two-day Harvest Festival starting on October 19. The festive event, organized in partnership with the school’s Parent Association, took place during the classes’ usual gym period.
There, Dance and Movement Therapist Danielle Wood, with the assistance of parent volunteers led the school’s nearly 200 children through several stations including candy-cane bowling, a skeleton toss, a witch’s hat rope throw, and a spooky Halloween “Floor is Lava” movement game. A bubble activity, tailored to students’ sensory needs, was also provided
After games and movement, each child chose a pumpkin to decorate with stickers, which undoubtedly, was student Colby Pursoo’s favorite part.
“I got a big pumpkin and I’m decorating,” shouted Colby.
The festival was organized by the school’s Parent Association (PA), a group of 35 parents who throw events throughout the year supporting both students and staff.
To organize the festival, they gathered 200 pumpkins, various activity sets and enlisted nearly two dozen parent volunteers to assist during the event.
Stephanie Wilen, a Long Beach parent who is one of five PA board members, worked closely with Certified School Psychologist Margarite Tagliaferro to put this event together.
“Margarite helped us pick out the games for them,” shared Stephanie. “It went really well; from the first class we saw that they love it and had a blast playing and picking out pumpkins.”
Vanessa Letamendi, a Valley Stream parent and festival volunteer, was there when her daughter, Valerie’s, classroom stopped by.
She happily guides the students while seeing her daughter light up playing with her friends.
“She loves her teachers, Jessica, Valentina, and Sukhwinder, who are great. Her personality is shining through,” shared Vanessa.
Her daughter is graduating this year and she’s grateful to share these moments with her.
“I’m very thankful to the staff. They’ve played a big role in her progress,” said Vanessa. “She’s grown so much and we’re really going to miss this school.”