Safe Halloween has been a signature event hosted at Lindenhurst High School for almost 20 years. With such a longstanding tradition, one must ask why it has lasted for so long. This time of year at Lindenhurst High School, many students get together to contribute their efforts to Safe Halloween which is why the program has become so large and known by many.

    Safe Halloween dates back to 1991 when the school was aiming for security from predators in the community by providing a safe haven for children during the Halloween season. Mr.Paseltiner was the adviser back then and advised the program until his retirement in 2004. Kids from ages K – 5 are welcomed to the program in the evening on which it is held. Admission into this program is one can of food or dried food for the needy.

    The program’s advisors are Ms. Scharf and Ms.Campbell and the chairpeople of the event this year are Jessica Saravia, Dana Murano, Teresa Piciullo, Toniann Riselvato and Miranda Freilich. Ms. Scharf said, “It’s a pleasure to advise the students on Safe Halloween because it is for a great cause and the chair-people are great to work with. The success of it always wows us.” Its goal is to provide a safe environment for children during Halloween, a holiday known for candy as well as for mischief and vandalism. Such things are not encouraged and are dangerous, so by providing a safe environment for young kids the school not only decreases mischievous behavior but also encourages good behavior. The after school clubs of Lindenhurst High School are encouraged to lend a helping hand with the preparation and execution of the program. Students involved in the clubs are told to bring in candy, help with decorating the hallways and classrooms according to their clubs and supervise the children. They are also asked to dress up to be in the spirit of Halloween and to make the children feel less like strangers and more comfortable.

    Children are encouraged to wear their costumes to keep the spirit of the holiday and treat the program as if it were a normal Halloween night. The only exception is that instead of searching for treats on the streets, the children can fill their bags within the confines of the school which is known as Trick or Treat Street. This, however, is only one portion of Safe Halloween.  This year, some of the activities include having a magician in the auditorium, a special PTA and PTSA Trick or Treat Street in the cafeteria, a Dance with a DJ and Thespian skits in room 158. Some groups working on Safe Halloween include the National Honor Society, and the Key Club.    
    Safe Halloween ran smoothly this year as per usual. Attendance was high among the children, and the students helping out as well. Although all the hallways looked exemplary, the Junior class came out on top yet again with their Haunted Movie Theater. For the club competition, the National Honor Society was recognized for their Circus of Screams. Junior class advisor, Mrs.Ver Straten, said, “The kids worked very hard. It was awesome.”

    It almost seems unreal the amount and speed of the time that has passed since the first Safe Halloween. When one thinks about the different worlds Halloween outside and inside the walls of the high school are, one can’t help but smile at the good service we provide through the Safe Halloween program. The students enjoyed helping also. Jesse Velasquez said, “It was really fun helping out with the preparations of this program. It also helps to know were helping out.” The future of Safe Halloween looks bright as well. Some alumni of the Lindenhurst High School have brought the idea of the program to their colleges. If this continues, there will be more and more towns around the nation enacting practices of safety for children such as Safe Halloween. As for Lindenhurst, we will continue to provide the Safe Halloween program for the children for many years to come.