One thing that I haven’t seen since I was in school is a classroom Halloween party. My kids have attended a combined total of… ok, my head is spinning trying to tally them up, so I’ll just say, more than 10 schools, in several cities in the US and abroad. Some have had “Fall Celebrations” or “Autumn Crafts,” but none have had an actual Halloween Party.
Here we are at an American school in Southeast Asia and now my 1st grader and 5th grader will be able to actually put on their costumes and celebrate the ancient Pagen holiday- turned modern American festival of candy and costumes. I even did something I don’t usually do. Something that goes against my grain. I ordered costumes, and paid full price, more than a month before Halloween. I usually wait until the week before Halloween and let the kids choose what is on sale. I’ll admit to being a Halloween scrooge. This year, though, I decided to embrace the holiday. It’s a very big deal here, so if I can’t beat them, I may as well join them.
I haven’t heard much, beyond the time and place, about Bob’s 5th grade celebration, but the buzz about Harold’s 1st grade party started in September! The fabulously enthusiastic room moms decorated to the nines!
I’m extremely thankful to the room moms for all of their hard work and organizing. I’m also very grateful that I was able to send in my financial contribution and step back for now. I will attend the parties, of course, and I have signed up to volunteer in the classroom for math games next month, but as a newbie here, I am very happy to be in the position of relative anonymity; at least as anonymous as a blonde haired, hazel eyed mom can be at a school that is 95+% Asian.
The best part of the pre party build-up, as far as I am concerned, is the detailed flier we parents received via WhatsAp chat, to let us know the schedule of said party:
I’m super glad they clearly stated the schedule. I would not want to make a major protocol breach and cheer for my kid at the wrong time. Such a mistake might cause an international incident.
The Deployment Diatribes 