Organizations gather for trunk or treat at Plains school

A gathering at Plains School last Thursday wasn't just to gather educational materials, it was to gather goodies.

More than 200 kids participated in the school's Trunk or Treat event behind the school on Halloween afternoon. Eight local organizations, along with volunteers representing each class from kindergarten to sixth grade and the school cafeteria staff took part in the event, including the school's front office administrators, who were dressed in "Minions" T-shirts.

This was the school's second year to host the Trunk or Treat event. The students from kindergarten to sixth grade arrived in the teacher's parking lot one class at a time dressed in a myriad of costumes from simple to exotic. The six members of the kitchen staff went with a circus theme, including their inflatable "walking on hands" clown worn by Jeanine Cook.

Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Walsh, one of the Minions, used to do Trunk or Treat events at some of her former schools in New York City. "The Trunk or Treat was a great success as it allowed all of our young students to show off their costumes and enjoy a variety of treats," said Walsh. "As always, the teachers and community members made it a wonderful time for our K-6 grades. I always enjoy seeing our students' faces light up as they receive goodies. It's great to see them enjoying their time together. Their smiles and laughs always make it a fun time," she added.

Organizations that participated included the Plains Police Department, Plains Community Ambulance, Plains Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Forest Service, Camp Bighorn, and the Sanders County Sheriff's Office. Several of the organizations dressed up themselves and decorated their vehicles.

Ambulance volunteers Seth Gibbs, Jennifer Fratzke, Shelley Bertrand, and Lyle Fisher plugged a blood transfusion tube into the nose of "Manny the Mannequin" and had a smoke machine going for effect. Camp Bighorn's Brian Meaden and Amber Gibbs went with an "Adventure Van" theme. Jeanie Gentry and Sara Nestor of the Clark Fork Valley Hospital decorated their trunk in dolls and Jack-O-Lanterns and wore medical garb. Beth Vacura and her daughter, Amber, went with a football theme in the back of their pickup for teacher Julie Warner's third grade class.

"One of the reasons we do this is for individuals that don't get downtown to trick or treat," said Principal Kevin Meredith. "It's a lot of fun for the kids. I think the adults here have as much fun or more than the students," he added.

Retired teacher Denise Montgomery couldn't stay away from school on Halloween. With her Magic School Bus, and dressed in the television character "Miss Frizzle" she handed out both candy and fruits to the kiddies. "Many groups gave it that extra touch by dressing up and it was amazing. The students enjoyed seeing so many of the people they know who serve our community at their school having fun," said Walsh.

Some of the teachers had Halloween activities in class earlier in the day. Fourth grade teacher Bethany Meaden gave background on Halloween and because her students were learning Spanish, she talked about Mexico's Day of the Dead holiday, where people honor their dead ancestors, she said. Sandra Jirasko's sixth-graders dissected pig lungs and hearts. "It seemed like a good time to do it," said Jirasko, who added that only one student didn't want to participate.

Senior Keegan Huffman served as the sound man and played a few Halloween related songs, like "Monster Mash" and "Purple People Eater." Senior Aiden Silva showed up as a rich Islamic man.

"The Trunk or Treat event provides for a really nice connection between our school and our local organizations. Students get the opportunity to see the different services and businesses in our community in a fun and interactive way," said Meredith.