Police officers, superheroes and princesses, oh my! It was costume galore in the Littlest Cowboys room as parents and grandparents secured outfits onto their children, who were fidgeting with the excitement of roaming around at the “big kid school” in search of candy.
The children weren’t the only ones in costume. Many of them were accompanied by their families, one of which went all out for the parade. Clad in a stuffed, muscled Mr. Incredible suit to match his wife and three children’s red uniforms, Gabe Somma stood out in the crowd of casually clothed parents. It being his daughter’s second year in the program and the parade, they graduated from last year’s costume of Disney princess Moana to team up as the Incredible family.
“She [his daughter] loves the event and enjoys walking around the high school with the big kids,” Somma said.
The Littlest Cowboys Halloween parade was kicked off by a complimentary breakfast served by the childcare staff and students. Once the kids cleaned up after themselves and went over the rules, they set out on their candy collecting adventure.
“She loves the event and enjoys walking around the high school with the big kids.”
Stopping first at the cafeteria, the children were greeted by the cafeteria staff. Armed with baskets of candy, the women cooed over their costumes and manners as they passed through with pleases and thank yous.
The Littlest Cowboys have been touring the cafeteria and office for years during their Halloween parade. Each year, since the start of her involvement in the event three years ago, Deborah Covard has placed flyers in mailboxes and sent the event information via email to encourage participation for the kids and their parents.
“Halloween, in general, is a fun event for kids but I like to be able to incorporate the family,” Covard said. “This way, we try to have the event help to build a home-to-school connection.”
Cafeteria Manager Modestina Cariati’s daughter was enrolled in the Littlest Cowboys program in her earlier years. According to Cariati, her daughter– now 10 years old– still remembers the experience, which is why she wants to help continue the tradition for other kids.
“[I do it] for the little ones. Their faces are so cute, that’s partly why.”
“[I do it] for the little ones,” Cariati said. “Their faces are so cute, that’s partly why.”
Cariati has made an effort to participate every year since her arrival at CCHS. She places the information and a reminder on her board for her staff to bring in candy for the trick-or-treaters who stop by.
But the cafeteria is just the first stop on their parade. Next, the children venture off to the main office where they trick-or-treat through the back of the office wrapping around to the front, starting with Principal Wendy Doll’s office.
“We like to help them feel [like a] part of the school,” office staff member Virginia Scavino said. “[One of my favorite parts is] knowing that time goes by so fast and soon we may see them here.”
Photo by Carly Cuoco
