Community Corner

Halloween at the Hills and High are On, Schools Chief Says

The events were in jeopardy due to a lack of volunteer chaperones.

Good news for area parents and children: The annual Halloween celebrations at the township's two high schools will take place after all.

Superintendent of Schools LeRoy Seitz said Wednesday afternoon that despite concerns over enlisting chaperones, Halloween at the Hills and Halloween at the High will go forward as originally planned.

The events at the high schools allow township children of all ages to show off their costumes, play games, spend time with their families and interact with area teens in a safe, supervised environment. And high schoolers get the opportunity to show off their creativity and leadership skills while having fun with younger children.

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As of last week, it was uncertain whether the events would go forward. Students from Parsippany Hills High School appeared before the Board of Education at its Oct. 11 meeting to implore the school district to do what it took to keep the holiday community event alive.

Then a letter appeared that offered a possible explanation for the difficulty the district has had in recruiting volunteers for the event: A letter from the Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association, the union that represents teachers in contract negotiations that are set for mediation, appealed to teachers to withhold volunteering until the contract was settled.

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A request for a comment to union president Judy Mayer has yet to be returned.

There is no assurance that the number of volunteers needed has been found. According to Seitz, the list has not yet been finalized. He said teachers and parents may be serving as volunteers and said those interested in volunteering may call the Hills at 973-682-2815.

Still, the decision has been made to go forward with the events.

Halloween at the Hills is scheduled for Oct. 30; the Parsippany High School counterpart is to take place Oct. 31. The events run from 5-7 p.m.


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