Children give Halloween visit to Superior seniors

SUPERIOR – The Halloween spirit was brought to Superior’s elders Thursday as kindergarten, first and second grade students from Superior Elementary School visited them during a special trick-or-treat trip to the Mineral Community Hospital.

The four classes, consisting of two kindergarten classes then one each of first and second grade, walked from the elementary school to the hospital in all their costumed, Halloween glory. There were princesses, animals, zombies and super heroes among the kids. The innovation displayed in some of the costumes was impressive – there was one girl who insisted she was a ninja ballerina, wearing a tutu, tiara and a foam sword across her back. The group travelled in a near single-file line led by the teacher and watched over by aids, foster grandparents or parents.

When the kids arrived, they were led through the hospital to the nursing home where many seniors had just finished lunch. The procession went through in a veritable parade, winding their way around the room so everyone could see their costumes, giving Halloween greetings to all they passed. At the end of the room, as the kids left, a nurse handed out a surgical glove filled with candy.

According to Joyce Crabb, a foster grandparent for a kindergarten class, the trips have been going to the nursing home for at least five years. She said the seniors love seeing the kids in their costumes. It also gives them a chance for them to visit with grandkids and great grandkids who don’t make it to the nursing home very often.

“The old folks have lost track of some of the kids, so it’s nice for them to see [the kids], even if they can’t recognize them,” said Crabb. “Some of the kids have a lot of makeup on.”

Kindergarten teacher Kari Labbe also felt the trip was therapeutic for the nursing home and assisted living center residents as it gave them the opportunity to recall happy memories.

“The residents kind of get a chance to go back in time, whether to their own times of trick-or-treating or their grandchildren or children,” said Labbe.

Labbe described the trip as a “fun adventure” for the kids and added it was good for community inspiration. The kids going to visit the seniors, and seeing how happy it makes them, will hopefully inspire them to similar causes when they are older.

After the trips, each class got a Halloween party with candy and games. The kids got to keep their Halloween costumes on during the party and enjoyed an afternoon of holiday fun, perfect to burn off the energy gained from the added sugar. Labbe implied there have been problems in the past and the schools have not had the opportunity for a party every year.

The trips accomplished their goals. As each group was led through, the seniors’ faces lit up with smiles. Many took a moment to talk to those they knew.

However, in most cases both sides were also slightly intimidated by the other, with everyone becoming almost comically shy as soon as they were in the room together. The kids would keep their heads down, trying not to make eye contact, while the seniors tried just as hard to blend into the walls. After a moment, both sides warmed up to the other and enjoyed the short, but festive, time they had visiting together.