ROCKLAND — Throughout October, South School celebrated autumn with a series of engaging events, bringing students, families, and staff together in a festive display of school spirit and community. Highlights included a fall family picnic, a special pumpkin patch, literacy-themed trunk-or-treating, classroom celebrations, and an assembly for Student of the Month awards, where everyone donned orange for Unity Day. 

The celebrations began with a well-attended first-ever Fall Family Picnic, where the school playground was filled with the lively buzz of families gathered to enjoy lunch and outside time together. It was a relaxing, low-stress way for parents and teachers to interact, and for everyone to come together as a school community. 

One of the most anticipated events of the month was “Spooky Stories and Tasty Treats,” a literacy-themed trunk-or-treat featuring a haunted library and readings from spooky stories. Students were able to take home free books along with candy from decorated trunks featuring themes from beloved books like Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh, and Dogman. The school’s support service professionals created a Witch's Sensory Cottage based on the book There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat. Students experienced Goblin Goo, Bats and Wiggly Worms, Ghost Guts, and a Bone Yard Dig in the spooky sensory extravaganza. The event brought storybook characters to life, making Halloween both spooky and educational. 

Miss Shirley’s early care students helped “hide” 329 mini pumpkins generously donated by Beth’s Farm. Each student then had the chance to visit the pumpkin patch to pick their own pumpkin to take home, creating a fun, hands-on experience. 

For lunch on Halloween Day, Food Service Manager Tim Pierce planned a spooky spectacle of fun foods including mummy hot dogs, banana ghosts, sticks in the mud (baby carrots in a chocolate chickpea dip), and Franken cups (yogurt with a cookie crumble). Pierce, a chef and pumpkin and ice carver, presented an intricately-carved pumpkin in the cafeteria for all to enjoy! 

Next, students and staff showed off their Halloween spirit by dressing up in costumes. The celebration culminated in a costume parade around the football field track. Parents gathered to watch the colorful procession of dazzling princess gowns, spooky ghost sheets, fearless superhero capes, a variety of animals, and even stomping dinosaurs, while festive music filled the air. 

In addition to these events, the school held an assembly honoring October’s Students of the Month. The assembly coincided with Unity Day, so students and staff wore orange, underscoring South School's commitment to kindness, inclusion, and anti-bullying. Students explored these concepts during the month, which culminated in a Unity Day poster contest, themed "Together we can create a kinder world." Contest winners received their prizes at the assembly. The 5th grade band played together publicly for the first time and 1st grade students performed a Halloween poem. The assembly was guided by student emcees for the first time, with Lulu Williamson and Adrianna Witham doing a great inaugural job. 

“This October was truly a month of celebrating our school’s spirit and community connections,” said Principal Arroyo. “Our families, staff, and local partners like Beth’s Farm made each event memorable and meaningful for our students. We are grateful for their support and enthusiasm.” 

South School created unforgettable moments and strengthened bonds within the school and community, setting the stage for future celebrations filled with learning, unity, and fun.