Class Party. (aka let the sugar rush begin) This is an expectation that is non-negotiable, kind of like recess. Teachers are in battle trying to steer the party to an 'educational' direction. ie book costume, book report, mystery day. There comes a point when the teacher can stand it no more. They succumb to the expectation. Now the problem becomes how to host the coolest, most memorable halloween party ever. The solution? Turn it over to the parents. Thus, the sugar rush begins in the hands of a handful of parents who won't disappoint their child. It WILL be the best Halloween party EVER! Let the sugar rush begin. The only consolation to the teacher... all this happens in the last couple hours of the day. The sugar won't really begin to kick in until after the students arrive home.
Trick or Treating (aka the tradition) Every kid deserves some great trick or treating memories. Mine was the year my family lived in the Black Forest, Colorado. It was exactly that, a black forest. For a 5 year old, the neighbors might as well have lived in another county. I don't ever remember walking to their houses. I don't know how we trick or treated. The best year was when the snow began to fall on the morning of Halloween. By the time school let out, it was turning into a disaster. Snow everywhere. How in the world would we trick or treat? By the time nightfall came there was no possibility of going outside unless we were dressed as Nanuk of the North and had a spare dogsled in the garage. Halloween ruined, UNTIL... mom reminded us that she had a bowl of candy that was ours if no one else rang the doorbell. JOY! I only remember two, crazy high school boys showing up at the door that night. They go a few pieces of our stash but left us with a whole lot more than we would have ever got by venturing out on a clear night. Now, parents drive their kids to the 'sugar fertile' areas of town where candy bars rain down and every door is only a short sidewalk away. I even had neighbors that would make my son his own gift bag of halloween goodies. These bags were not just a piece or two, they were stuffed full of full size candy bars, popcorn balls, and other sugary goodness. The only consolation to a teacher... at least students get some exercise running in between houses.
Trunk or Treating (aka the LDS tradition) If you live in Utah you've probably heard about this one. Think of it as the gathering of sugar in a condensed form. Find a parking lot. Have 20-80 of your closest friends, acquaintances, neighbors park their cars in parking lot. Open your trunk. Place your halloween candy in the trunk. Let the kids walk from trunk to trunk and gather more candy in 10 minutes that they should be legally allowed to have. Warning: make sure your child has a pillow case. If not, the bag/bucket they have will either break or overflow. This activity is especially nice to be able to watch the children to make sure they are safe. No need to ring doorbells or worry about anyone having to cross the road. Plus, you can keep sending your child back to the trunks for your favorite candy bar. This activity usually happens in addition to the traditional trick or treating.
The Mall (aka trunk or treat II) In case the students don't have enough access already to sugar, here is another opportunity for sugar overload. Your local mall, grocery store, youth center, civic club, or other entity is probably sponsoring an event. Its the same as trunk or treating. Lots of candy with only a few steps in between each station.
What happens to all this candy? Why is Monday a horrible day for Halloween? On Tuesday, students arrive at school with one OR all of the following:
- a sugar induced headache
- sugar induced hyperactivity
- a bag of 'trading' candy to share with others
- no appetite for a healthy lunch
- no ability to focus unless it involves a sugar bribe
So, I congratulate all the teachers who successfully survive this week. May education win out over the sugar rush.
BTW- for teachers reading this. Don't forget the students in your class who can't/shouldn't have candy and sugar. Halloween is not the greatest of holidays for the diabetic child. Costumes are fun. Activities are nice. Raisins and crackers are cute. But when it comes down to it, sugar is the king of this holiday.
