New Berlin harvest parade won't march by day
Parents frustrated by school's decision
Parents watch the Glen Park Elementary School annual Halloween harvest parade in 2009. Photo By PETER ZUZGA
Oct. 25, 2011 | 73 comments
New Berlin - A long-standing autumn tradition of a costumed harvest parade is no more at Glen Park Elementary School.
The problem new Glen Park Principal Royce Lindner had with the event was that it took place during the school day. He left open the possibility of a setting up similar event after school this week.
"I believe this is the best way to carry out our vision as a school district and take time to participate in a fun activity for our students and our neighborhood," Lindner wrote in a recent memo to parents.
No after-school parade had been scheduled as of press deadline.
A beloved tradition
The parade is a tradition in which parents have watched as their costumed children march through the neighborhood around the school, Afterward, participants would attend a party.
It's a tradition many parents weren't ready to surrender. They openly objected to the parade's ouster, as Lindner noted in his weekly message to parents.
"I have been having great conversations with many of you regarding our harvest parade," he wrote. But he said, "The decision to move the harvest parade outside the school day remains final."
It's that loss of tradition - and the fact that the children were not allowed to come in costume, either - that annoyed New Berlin Alderwoman Laura Karvala, whose son graduated from Glen Park and whose daughter still goes there.
"They could be allowed to dress up, even if they don't march," said Karvala, who noted that the parade kept itself separate from Halloween activities in that the costumes have never been allowed to be scary or violent.
"My biggest thing is don't mess with tradition," she said.
If the principal is worried that students need more instruction time, Karvala pointed out that Glen Park had been cited in March as one of the two highest-achieving schools in the district by former Superintendent Paul Kreutzer.
Moving the parade to late afternoon struck her as unwise, given traffic on Glen Park Road during that timeframe.
Defending his decision
In an interview, Lindner, who previously served as an administrator at Ronald Reagan Elementary School in New Berlin, explained his decision.
"It boils down to that we are looking for new opportunities to celebrate and reflect on achievements and a sense of community," said Lindner, adding that school officials are still looking to see what those opportunities will be.
He declined to elaborate.
Meanwhile, Elmwood Elementary School in New Berlin, continues its harvest parade, which also is held during the school day.
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73 COMMENTS
Vox Populi - Oct 24, 2011 7:55 PM - Report Abuse
Not afraid of truth - Oct 25, 2011 8:03 AM - Report Abuse
Vox Populi - Oct 25, 2011 8:35 AM - Report Abuse
feingoldsocks - Oct 25, 2011 10:25 AM - Report Abuse
jayoak - Oct 25, 2011 10:49 AM - Report Abuse
Let the kids have their parade, and you parents who agree, take action.
Get rid of these autocrats, they will do more harm to your kids then good.
Kids need memories of being kids. Don't let the system treat them as fodder
for their theories on how to raise kids.
And in the interview, "He declined to elaborate". Really !!!! He don't know.
Take back your schools, that's were it all begins.
They want to mold these kids in their own image, warped as it may be.
jayoak - Oct 25, 2011 10:51 AM - Report Abuse
Let the kids have their parade, and you parents who agree, take action.
Get rid of these autocrats, they will do more harm to your kids then good.
Kids need memories of being kids. Don't let the system treat them as fodder
for their theories on how to raise kids.
And in the interview, "He declined to elaborate". Really !!!! He don't know.
Take back your schools, that's were it all begins.
They want to mold these kids in their own image, warped as it may be.
jasminekayla - Oct 25, 2011 10:54 AM - Report Abuse
BettyV - Oct 25, 2011 12:25 PM - Report Abuse
jasminekayla - Oct 25, 2011 3:31 PM - Report Abuse
mindyerownbizness - Oct 25, 2011 6:45 PM - Report Abuse
Aside from the fact that Jane Ford thinks this is a more important news story than last nights school board meeting where the board approved a levy that actually lowers NB property taxes and increases services, its truly sad that Laura Karvala is more concerned with telling our schools what they should do with their instruction time than she is with following the school boards lead and keeping the city's share of taxes in check as well.
Karvala, heres to a new tradition. Stop treating my money like its yours. And do your job.