News

With students back in school last fall, but many COVID restrictions still in place, Vichy Elementary School teacher Ginette Ilsley worried that students might not get to celebrate Halloween. She recognized that Vichy’s garden presented the perfect place to host their very own pumpkin patch. Her sister-in-law and fellow Vichy teacher, Lorrie Ilsley, were inspired by the idea and suggested that they turn it into a class scarecrow contest! 

Principal Sally Zikmund loved the idea and helped bring it before the parents and staff. According to Principal Zikmund, "while this came together, Ginette and Lorrie fronted the money for pumpkins to ensure that the event was possible." Thus, a new Vichy Elementary School Halloween tradition was born in the garden. 

Each class envisioned and created a scarecrow with a special Halloween theme. Parents donated items from home, and the Parent Club helped collect donations from all that were able to cover the cost of the pumpkins. In preparation for the big day, teachers put up their class scarecrow and layed out all the pumpkins. Then,  on the last day of school before Halloween, each class visited the garden to enjoy the scarecrows and select their pumpkin. Mrs. Johnson’s Frida Khalo scarecrow stole the show.

The event was a smashing hit this year too! Chris Hattich, the Vichy garden and STEM teacher, along with student helpers prepared the garden for the event. On the Friday before Halloween, students visited the garden, class by class, with two tickets to cast as votes for their favorite scarecrows. Then they chose a pumpkin to take home. This year featured two winners, the Michael Jackson scarecrow from room 14 and Yodacrow from room 6.

We invite you to enjoy this new Vichy Elementary School tradition through the pictures below. You can enjoy more photos of students voting for their favorite scarecrow and picking out their pumpkin in the Vichy garden, along with Halloween pictures from schools throughout the district on our Facebook and Instagram pages.