Mom Kim Kimble walks with her daughter Marli Hayes, kindergarten
Photography by Dianne Carroll Burdick
Grand Rapids — Students and staff from Stocking and Sibley Elementary schools enjoyed some neighborhood trick-or-treating on their parade routes Friday.
Students walk along Stocking Street as Davenport University representatives pass out treats
“This has been a big deal at Stocking for many years, so we are so excited to get back to it,” said KSSN Community School Coordinator Cheyenne Buelterman-Fernandez. “We go all out for Halloween at Stocking!”
From left, fifth-grader Ty’Linn Jones-Barnes and fourth-grader Anjolie Guifarro, are stunned by all the candy Davenport University associates give them
From left, Crosswinds Church Pastor Tom Brady and Principal Michael Thomasma lead the Stocking Elementary Halloween Parade including 150 students, staff and parents
Fourth-grader Nadja Johnson shows off her candy
Before heading out on parade, students visited Halloween-themed stations in their building and, in the afternoon, students began following the parade route, dressed up in their costumes, while community businesses and partners lined the route to pass out candy and other goodies.
Students watch as drivers wave at them
The parade begins
From left, Crosswinds Church Pastor Tom Brady plays the bagpipe while students and staff including Principal Michael Thomasma, as Willy Wonka, and Grand Rapids Police Sergeant John Wittkowski line up for the Halloween parade
Students pause during the parade and check out each other’s bags of treats
Stocking Elementary students stop at Matthew’s House Ministry’s cart for little bags of candy and popcorn
‘Trick or treat!’
First graders receive goodies along the route
For after the candy is eaten, it’s toothbrushes from Tooth Fairies at 616 Dental
Alexis Stark is a reporter covering Byron Center, Caledonia, Godfrey-Lee, Kenowa Hills and Thornapple Kellogg. She grew up in metro Detroit and her journalism journey brought her west to Grand Rapids via Michigan State University where she covered features and campus news for The State News. She also co-authored three 100-question guides to increase understanding and awareness of various human identities, through the MSU School of Journalism. Following graduation, she worked as a beat reporter for The Ann Arbor News, covering stories on education, community, prison arts and poetry, before finding her calling in education reporting and landing at SNN. Alexis is also the author of a poetry chapbook, “Learning to Sleep in the Middle of the Bed.”
As SNN celebrates its 10th anniversary, Kenowa Hills Superintendent Jerry Hopkins reflects on the last 10 years in his role and in the world of education.
