Falloween Fun Celebration at St. Joseph School

I know Halloween is over  and Fall is almost to an end but I would like to  share  this wonderful event  at my  children's school dubbed as Falloween.  The  parent organizers did a really great job setting this all up.  Every class has a booth that parents have decorated and we  divided all the candies that the school have   collected  from the parents.  I think every booth  was  decorated beautifully.

St. Joseph is a catholic school so all the theme are related to God.  It's always fun to have a little twist to traditional Holidays like Halloween.  "Life is bootiful with Jesus"

"Owl you need is Jesus"

"Let's get batty and step up to the plate, God is calling"

"Hand picked by God"

"Wrapped in the love of Jesus"

A photo booth was set up for class pictures.

There were lots of games played after the students were done trick or treating from all the tables.

Before Falloween, students were provided  some pumpkins and they painted them.  It was a contest  and judged by  someone who was not from the school.  My  son's clas (5th grade) was the winner.  They designed their pumpkins like donuts.

"Donut Worry, God is always with you"

I think the smurf pumpkins are cute.

I thought the pumpkin designed as candy corns are cute.  Take a look below.

More  designs  from other classes.

My kids  are now 10 and 12 and they don't want  those  store bought costume anymore.  They  made their own this year.  My daughter love sushi so she made herself look like sushi lol.

Their original plan was  to dress up like their favorite characters in Regular show but decided to scrape the idea.  My son  just used her JuiJitsu uniform.

Kids and teachers were all involved in this event.  There was a game where in two students  have to wrap  a teacher into a mummy.  The winners received their prices for  free uniform the next day.  The kids wear uniforms everyday so  having a  No Uniform pass is a great deal for them.

My son's class and their teacher, Ms. Boyd.

The school principal, priest, and  teachers.

Photo opp I had with a close friend of mine.  She's always involved with  every event in school.  The most down-to-earth person I've met here in the US.

My husband took a day off that day so he could be at the event.

It was a great opportunity too  for me to bond with him.  I was assigned to take pictures of the event so he watched  on the bench while I was busy.

My daughter is the littlest in her class. All her classmates are tall so she always feel so small.  I told her, that's what she get for having a  tiny  Asian Mom lol.

Photo opp with Deacon Vince.

The West Virginia Northern College  sent their mascot to add some entertainment for the kids.

Overall, it was a success.  Kudos to the organizers.  I think most of the parents pitched in and helped that's why it was a success.  It's nice when everybody helps.  There were lots of snacks  served after the trick or treating and games.  Everything was also donated by parents.

Does your children's school host an event like this too?  Please share your experience.

Octoberfest at St. Joseph

Change can be very  scary.  Some of us are afraid of change especially if it would take  us out from our comfort zone but a lot of times, change is necessary for the betterment of a system or organization.  

Last year, the school where our children go to  had a change in administration and so is  the church.  New administration means new changes to policies and other   stuff.  It was a  mild turbulence   especially for our children but I think that the school needed it for the better.  This year, equipped with  a new and fresh set of ideas from  different people, the school is doing so much better.  This school year, we have   activities that  we did not have   with the old administration.  So change brought a lot of positive outcome  not just for the school but especially for the children.

One of the  many school activities that was    held this year  was the Octoberfest.  The whole school came together and enjoy a whole  day of fun.  I love that this  event was not only for the school  but  it also reached out to the community.  There were  small businesses that came and had set up  their tent and I believe some portion of their sale  went to the school which was a huge help for the school.

 The event started with  the children  singing.  Our music teacher does a great job in  organizing this kind of activity  with the children.  Unlike other fund raising activity, this event did not have as many sponsors from the start so the success of it depended  on the participation of the community.  I thought it went well.

 We sold  tickets which patrons can use to   get drinks and snacks and use  the bouncy house for the kids.

 Every class has their own booth selling snacks and drinks.  Each class chose  a  cause that they want to support with their sale which was great.  This event not only brought  enjoyment for the whole community but it also taught the kids to  spend their time  for a charity of their choice.

 I heard mixed reviews about the event.  Some  are in favor  of it because it did bring a camaraderie between the school, families, and the entire community in general.  I also heard  some that aren't in favor because of the  presence of drink (beer) but I think it was not that bad.  Everybody seemed to have it in control, beside it was for fun.

 I think the  children were  drawn to the  bouncy house.  We sold so many tickets  for it.

 A lot of parents have stepped up to the plate and helped with the event.

 The Fall  display was  beautiful.

 I didn't think my husband  drink beer there but  he had fun watching the kids and talking to some parents.  I helped with other Moms  selling tickets.

 Everybody seemed so happy  doing their part that day even  our children.

 All the sports  athletes for Volleyball, basketball, and football were  introduced by the coaches.

 Mr. Tom Zielinsky  provided  the music in the event.  I thought he was very talented and so good of showcasing and sharing his craft in music.  He sings and play his instruments really  good.

The event lasted until 8-9 in the evening and we all helped  in cleaning up after the event.  I really liked this event, I get to see our neighbors and met  some people that I don't normally talk to on a daily basis.  It's really great to see the community come together in supporting a great cause.  I hope that the school continue to do these  things.  In the previous years, the little kids did not really have  any field trip but this year,  they started to do it.  Once again, thank you for stopping by and have a great Thanksgiving!

Blue Mass to Honor the Lives Lost in 9/11 and Our Local Police Force

On September 11, St. Joseph School and Madonna High School  have collaborated together to hold a special mass to honor the lives lost during the 9/11 attacks in the US soil.  We also thank and honored our local law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS, military and their families.  With all the craziness going on in the country, it is  our obligation to teach our young generation  what is  honorable and right things to do.

The picture above is a powerful image that depicts the support of our  local law enforcement to our community.  I did not captured it clearly but I thought of taking a  chance to capture it to send out a message that kids should not be afraid of  police officers.  

It was nice seeing the community come together, young and old.  It was  a joy seeing the families of our local men and women in uniform.  

 We have a really good  law enforcement  team in Weirton and I am grateful for that.  It makes it  safer to  walk around in the  neighborhood knowing that they are always there  watching and on guard and ready to help anyone in need.  That's why it is very important that the children learn the importance of giving  them  respect that they deserve.

 The mass  really  united  the community.  It sent out a powerful message that if we can help out each other, we will succeed in conquering the bad element in our society.

 I thought it was a really special way of  showing  them our  respect and support.

 The children at St. Joseph made  some personalized gifts and gave it to all the men and women in uniform who attended the  mass celebration.

 There was a reception at the Madonna  cafeteria after the mass.

To all our men and women in uniform, thank you very much for your service.