District 58 schools each enjoy special fall traditions. For example, many lead Halloween costume parades around their building, while parents and friends watch.
Highland School also holds a Halloween parade, but theirs is a little different. Once the students finish circling the school, they don’t return to their classrooms. Instead, the parade of 350 students and teachers continues down 39th Street and into the Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Complex, where they finally stop at Peace Memorial Manor, an independent living community. Students then perform fun Halloween-themed songs for a crowd of senior citizens.
Highland students have visited Peace Memorial Manor on Halloween for 20 years.
“It feels good to give back to the community and the students love our yearly visit to Peace Manor,” said Principal Dr. Judy Kmak. “Everyone feels this is a something that makes us who we are at Highland. We care about our community and look for ways to bring smiles to the faces of other people.”