Changes proposed for classroom parties

Expect your phone to ring at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 7. When you pick up, Mr. LeCrone will ask you to vote on the calendar for PTA events – such as classroom parties and evening family events – for the 2010-11 school year.
Most years, a yes vote endorses the status quo and schedules a fall costume party around Halloween, a winter party in December and a friendship party in February.
This year, the Executive Board and the principal are proposing something different: A back-to-school party during the school day on Friday, Sept. 24, would replace the traditional Halloween party and costume parade. A costume party would become part of the Fall Family Fun Night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29.
The reasons behind the proposed change are two-fold, Mr. LeCrone said.
First, students changing into costumes and parading around the block takes about an hour in addition to the hour for the party, he said.
“I’ve looked, but I still have yet to find a tie between the curriculum and having a costume parade,” Mr. LeCrone said. “It just doesn’t seem to fit with current practices.”
Several years ago, the District 204 school board considered instituting a district-wide rule about Halloween parties and costume parades. At the time, some officials cited concerns that some children may feel left out if they choose not to participate for cultural or financial reasons.
Ultimately, district officials left the decision in the hands of building principals. Many District 204 schools have moved away from costume parties and parades during the school day.
Second, safety is a concern when students parade off school grounds and school security becomes a challenge when the parade is moved indoors because of inclement weather, Mr. LeCrone said.
“It’s mass chaos in inclement weather, deciding who comes in,” he said.
Additionally, parents and other visitors who may have taken the day off from work are disappointed when the parade moves indoors, he said. Last Halloween, some adults insisted on entering the building to see the parade despite rules allowing only the party helpers inside. When adults don't adhere to the sign-in procedures, students are at risk because administrators don't know who is in the school.
Moving the costume party to an evening, family event puts children in the care of their parents when people are entering the building, PTA President Barb Peterson said.
The proposed change has raised objections among some Brookdale parents who would prefer to retain the costume parade. The parade is a community tradition as well as a school event, they say, and students should have the chance to enjoy something fun and memorable like the parade.
Under the proposed schedule, the remaining parties and Spring Fling would continue in their current forms.
Here’s a look at the suggested calendar:
Friday, Sept. 24: 2:30-3:15 p.m. Back to School Party
Friday, Oct. 29: 7-9 p.m. Fall Family Fun Night and Costume Party
Tuesday, Dec. 21: 2:30-3:15 p.m. Winter Room Party
Monday, Feb. 14, to Friday, Feb. 18: Friendship Week
Friday, Feb. 18: 2:30-3:15 p.m. Friendship Party
Friday, April 29: 7-9 p.m. Spring Fling
If you would like to share written comments in support of your choice, please email Mr. LeCrone at brian_lecrone@ipsd.org.