Crowd enjoys Annual Harvest Day Celebration

School Board member Rev. Lamar D. Collins, District 148 Superintendent Dr. Jayne E. Purcell,
and Riverdale Mayor Deyon L. Dean gather at the October 30th Annual Harvest Day Celebration.

These two District 148 students were among those who arrived
in costume for the Harvest Day party.

Roosevelt Elementary School second grade Teacher Emanuel Bramlett,
Director of Support Programs Dr. Candace Dunleavy, support programs
secretary Nora Rowe and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Patricia Moore
hand out tickets for hot dogs and collect non-perishable food items.

Timothy Cooper, husband of Washington Junior High Teacher Ruth Cooper,
volunteers to help with some face painting.

Students from Dolton West Elementary District 148 and Patton Elementary District 133 gathered up plenty of candy and fun during this year’s Harvest Day Celebration in the gymnasium at Park School in Riverdale.

More than 200 parents and children -  the largest turnout ever at the annual fall celebration -  consumed hot dogs, juice and chips donated by District 148’s food service provider Preferred Meal Systems, Inc. and served by District 148 and Riverdale staff volunteers, and enjoyed the bounty of entertainment and activities provided throughout the October 30th evening event.

Youngsters watched a performance by Kari Buishas from Chuck’s House of Magic in Homewood, received balloon animal shapes from Buishas, and had their faces painted by Park School Paraprofessional Marjeane Nicholson and Timothy Cooper, husband of Washington Junior High School Teacher Ruth Cooper.  They also danced, along with some of the grown ups, and each child received a bag of candy at the night’s conclusion.

The party was hosted by District 148, District 133, Ivanhoe-Riverdale Park District, Riverdale Mayor Deyon L. Dean and the Board of Trustees. The annual celebration was intended to bring families together for an evening of fun and entertainment in a safe environment.

“It was wonderful to see so many parents and children spending time together and enjoying themselves during the Harvest Day celebration. I thank everyone, especially our staff, administrators, village officials, the Ivanhoe-Riverdale Park District and District 133 for making this year’s event the most successful yet,” District 148 Superintendent Dr. Jayne E. Purcell said.

Each family in attendance was asked to bring a large bag of candy which then was combined with others and divided among the children, and one non-perishable food item for donation to the Thornton Township and Calumet Township food pantries.

Kari Buishas of Chuck's House of Magic in Homewood created balloon
animal shapes for the children.

This District 148 student had her face painted by
Park School Paraprofessional Marjeane Nicholson, also known as Mojo B. Happy.

Dr. Purcell poses with Ivanhoe-Riverdale Park District Vice President Brenda Britt-Cox.

Harriet Tubman School Safety Facilitator Kathleen Sobkowiak and
Dr. Patricia Moore get ready to distribute bags of candy to the children.

Cynthia Marks, District 148 RtI analyst/administrative liaison and 21st Century
after school coordinator, and her granddaughter pose while Dr. Moore looks on.

District 148 staff volunteers serve hot dogs, chips and juice to Harvest Day attendees.

Park School Principal Dell McFarlane and Park Secretary Angela Harris
attend the celebration.